Two Texas teams looking to be bowl-eligible square off in a season-opening non-conference matchup.
Sam Houston is in its second season competing in Conference USA after making the transition from FCS to FBS. Rice of the American Athletic Conference is seeking its third straight bowl appearance but has not posted a winning record since going 8-5 in 2014.
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How to Watch Sam Houston-Rice
Sam Houston’s game at Rice will be televised on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday.
2024 Records
Sam Houston (3-9, 2-6 CUSA), Rice (6-7, 4-4 AAC)
Sam Houston-Rice Betting Odds
Rice is a -10 college football betting odds favorite over Sam Houston. The Over/Under is 48.5.
Sam Houston-Rice Coaches & Records
Sam Houston: KC Keeler (262-109-1, 88-36 at Sam Houston)
Rice: Mike Bloomgren (22-46)
Last meeting: Sept. 18, 1993; Rice won 14-13 at home
Rice owns a 16-1 advantage in this series and has won four in a row over the Bearkats since a 9-8 home loss in 1939.
Why This Sam Houston-Rice Game Is Important
Both teams are looking to get off to a good start after finishing last season strong. Rice won two of its final three games while Sam Houston won three of the final four. This is a game that both teams need in their quest to become bowl-eligible.
Sam Houston Preview
Keeler said during training camp that the battle for the starting quarterback job is among three players. He said last week he is sticking with the player he picks and doesn’t want that quarterback looking over his shoulder. Keeler added that there could be certain packages for one of the quarterbacks who isn’t the starter.
The candidates are: Central Michigan transfer Jase Bauer, who threw for 1,881 yards, 12 touchdowns, and eight interceptions last year; Grant Gunnell, Sam Houston’s backup last year; and Hunter Watson, who won a junior college national championship last year with Iowa Western Community College.
Keeler feels his receiving corps could be among the best in CUSA. Returning after missing last season is Qua’Vez Humphreys. Ife Adeyi returns after being limited to just three games last year due to injury. He has been named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List. Noah Smith is the leading returning receiver after catching 79 passes for 742 yards and six touchdowns.
Tight end Fernando Garza III, a transfer from Texas A&M, should add to both the passing and running games.
Defensively, Keeler said linebacker Issiah Nixon, who had five sacks last year, has been dominant in the preseason. He should be among the defensive leaders of a veteran unit that allowed 26.2 points per game in 2023.
Rice Preview
The Owls will be guided by a former Owl himself, junior quarterback EJ Warner, who is a transfer from Temple and son of NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner.
In two seasons as Temple’s starter, Warner threw for 6,124 yards, 41 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions.
Dean Connors is the leading returning ball carrier after rushing for 771 yards and seven touchdowns. He is also a threat in the passing game after recording 43 receptions for 403 yards and three scores.
Tight end Boden Groen, who had 39 receptions for 383 yards and three touchdowns, should be an even bigger part of the passing game.
Brant Banks, who started all 13 games last season at guard but is moving to right tackle, is among the key players on the offensive line.
Linebacker Josh Pearcy has been named to the Senior Bowl Watch List. Last season, he had six quarterback hits, 18 hurries, and 26 total pressures and enters the season with 27.5 career tackles for loss. Safety Plae Wyatt returns after leading the Owls with 81 tackles.
Sam Houston-Rice Prediction
I like Sam Houston to cover the spread at +10.
Despite its record last year, Sam Houston was competitive in most of its games. Five of the losses were by a touchdown or less. The Bearkats only lost one game by more than two touchdowns, a 38-7 defeat at Houston.
Keeler has said the key to this season is to win those “50-50” games. He listed Rice as one of those contests. This is a Sam Houston team that should be improved. Rice could also fall in the improved category, but the Owls must find somebody to replace the big-play ability of receiver Luke McCaffrey, who’s now with the Washington Commanders.
One other thing to watch is turnovers. Last year, Sam Houston had a plus-four turnover margin while Rice was minus-14, which was 128th nationally.
If Sam Houston can take care of the ball, then the Bearkats will be competitive in this opening matchup.
