A couple of teams that like running the football, Head Coach Mike Bloomgren and the Rice Owls (+10.5) are set to play host to the Southern Miss Golden Eagles (-10.5) at Rice Stadium. Kickoff for this conference game is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET and ESPN+ will broadcast the action.
Betting Preview: Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Rice Owls
Rice is a live dog and is currently getting 10.5 points in this CUSA matchup. The Golden Eagles are also receiving -425 moneyline odds while the Owls are +315. If one squad can get out in front early it will create a nice betting scenario in-game. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 52.5 points.
This game’s O/U hasn’t changed after it was initially placed at 52.5. Having said that, the line opened at 12 so early action has been swaying toward the Owls.
The Golden Eagles are 3-4 against the spread (ATS) and are down 0.2 units so far. The team’s posted an Over-Under mark of 4-3.
The Owls have been a disappointment to moneyline bettors this season, losing 5.2 units. They’re 3-3-1 ATS and also have an O/U record of 4-3.
The Golden Eagles have gone 4-3 straight up (SU), including 2-1 SU against conference opponents. The Owls are 0-7 SU overall and 0-3 SU in conference play.
These two squads met last year with the final outcome being a 40-22 win for Southern Miss.
The Golden Eagles will try to bounce back after a 45-30 loss to Louisiana Tech last week. The Golden Eagles defense allowed the Bulldogs to pass for 325 yards while rushing for 151 yards and four scores. On the offensive side of the ball, Jack Abraham completed 26 passes for 327 yards, one score and four interceptions. Kevin Perkins (56 yards on 12 rush attempts) led the ground attack. Jaylond Adams (eight receptions, 80 yards) and Quez Watkins (six catches, 102 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Rice just fell 31-27 to UTSA. As a group, the team collectively completed 20-of-29 passes for 223 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Wiley Green went 11-for-18 for 135 yards, one touchdown and one interception while Tom Stewart was nine-of-11 for 88 yards and one touchdown. Aston Walter (109 rushing yards on 18 attempts, one TD) spearheaded the running game while Brad Rozner (nine receptions, 138 yards, one TD) and Austin Trammell (nine catches, 75 yards) led the receiving corps in the loss.
Southern Miss has run the ball on 51.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Rice has an overall rush percentage of 56.6 percent. The Golden Eagles have run for 112.9 yards/game (including 140 per game versus Conference USA opponents) and have eight scores on the ground this year. The Owls are putting up 124.1 rush yards per game (156.7 in conference) and have eight total rushing TDs.
It appears that the Golden Eagles could own the advantage when it comes to applying pressure, as their offensive line has yielded only 33 sacks while the D-line registered 23 sacks. The Owls O-line has allowed 24 sacks and their defense has forced only 17 sacks.
The Golden Eagles offense has logged 330.6 yards/contest in the air overall (366.3 per game versus conference opposition) and has 14 passing TDs so far. The Owls have put up 173.6 pass yards per outing (181 against CUSA foes) and have seven total pass scores.
Southern Miss has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 126.3 yards and pass for 273 yards per game. The Rice D has given up 244.3 yards per game to opposing passers and 155.3 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to opponents, as the Golden Eagles have given up an ANY/A of 8.60 to opposing QBs, while the Owls are yielding an ANY/A of 9.07.
Abraham probably has the advantage over Green in this matchup, as his adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 8.35for the season (and 8.13 over the last two games). Green’s ANY/A is 5.88 for the year and 4.95 across his past two games.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. Rice Owls NCAA Pick
SU Winner: Southern Miss, ATS Winner: Southern Miss, O/U: Under
Betting Trends
- The Southern Miss defense has 19 sacks on the year while Rice has just eight.
- The Rice offense has lost nine fumbles this season while Southern Miss has let four get away.
- The Golden Eagles offense has recorded 13 pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Owls have accounted for four such plays.
- The Southern Miss defense has allowed nine pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Rice has given up six such plays.
- The Southern Miss offense has created five rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Rice has created eight such runs.
- The Golden Eagles defense has allowed six rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Owls have given up nine such runs.
- The O/U for Rice’s last match was set at 43.5. The over cashed in the team’s 31-27 loss to UTSA.
- In its last three matchups, Rice is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- In its last three games, Southern Miss is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Southern Miss’ previous game going into it was 58. The over cashed in the team’s 45-30 loss to Louisiana Tech.
- Southern Miss has produced 4.0 yards per carry over its last three games and 3.8 over its last two.
- Rice has averaged 3.9 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.9 over its last two.
