UTSA vs Rice Prediction 10/3/2026 Today’s College Football Picks

Andrew Jett

1 hour ago

Sep 12, 2026; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Referee Tutashinda Salaam makes a call during the third quarter of the game between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the UT Martin Skyhawks at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

MATCHUP	UTSA Roadrunners	Rice Owls
Team Records	3-1	1-3
Spread	-11.5 -108	+11.5 -112
Moneyline	-455	+350
Total	Over 56.5 (-108)	Under 56.5 (-112)
Where	Rice Stadium, Houston, TX
When	Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time	07:00 PM EDT
TV	ESPN+

The UTSA Roadrunners and the Rice Owls meet Saturday in college football action from Rice Stadium in Houston. Here’s a UTSA vs Rice prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best UTSA vs Rice pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

UTSA Roadrunners Betting Preview

The Roadrunners’ season started out with a blowout win at home, taking out UTRGV by a score of 45-16. UTSA was able to keep it going with a road win over Texas State 31-26 in game two on September 12. The Roadrunners had an unenviable matchup versus No. 1-ranked Texas in game three, and they ended up falling 30-6 in that one on the road.

Last weekend versus Colorado State, the Roadrunners got into the end zone three times during the first quarter and twice in the second for a 35-21 lead by the break. UTSA added another 24 points from there in a 59-45 win. QB Owen McCown was 20-of-30 for 303 yards and three scores. Will Henderson was tops in rushing with 14 carries for 89 yards and a TD.

Rice Owls Betting Preview

Over on the Rice side, they also took a blowout win in their home opener this season. The Owls dispatched Houston Christian 31-3, but then got demolished by Notre Dame in a 52-0 road blowout the next week. Rice had a close home loss to Western Michigan for game three, giving up 14 points in the fourth quarter during a 28-21 defeat at Rice Stadium in Houston.

Matched up against Fresno State last weekend the Owls were in a good spot by halftime sitting on a 17-14 lead. Rice gave up 10 unanswered points in the third quarter though, and ended up losing 38-24 when the game came to a close. QB Jacurri Brown was 8-of-17 for 119 yards, one TD and one pick while also leading the rushing attack with 19 carries for 141 yards and a touchdown.

UTSA Roadrunners @ Rice Owls Betting Trends: Week 5

Rice Owls Player Prop Facts

Heading into Week 5, Jacurri Brown ranks 15th amongst FBS players for rushing yards (399) this season.

UTSA Roadrunners Player Prop Facts

Heading into Week 5, Mekhi Anderson ranks 1st in the American Conference amongst qualified players for catch rate (94.1%) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

Rice ranks 8th among FBS teams for rushing yards per game this season (268.8).
Rice ranks T125th among FBS teams for points per game this season (19.0).
UTSA ranks 133rd among FBS teams for rushing yards allowed per game this season (212.5).
UTSA ranks 132nd among FBS teams for time of possession per game this season (26:21).

UTSA vs Rice Prediction

I’ll lean toward UTSA. The good news in the Roadrunners’ victory over Colorado State last weekend is that the offense posted 542 yards, 239 rush yards, 7.5 yards per play, 25 first downs and 9-of-16 on third downs with no turnovers. The bad news is that the defense gave up 500 yards, 344 pass yards, 6.4 yards per play and 21 first downs. Still, it ended up as a nice victory.

As for Rice, they had a couple of turnovers and just 119 pass yards (not to mention 4-of-11 on third downs) in their loss to Fresno State. The Owls gave up 459 yards, 249 rush yards and 23 first downs without a takeaway defensively. Rice will be up against another capable offense here; I could see this one as a high-scoring finish.