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Luke McCaffrey will lead the Rice Owls (4-4) into their game against the SMU Mustangs (6-2) at Rice Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 PM ET.
The Mustangs are expected to win by at least two scores (currently -11.5) versus the Owls. The over/under for this game is 58 points.
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Game Info for SMU vs. Rice
- Game Day: Saturday, November 4, 2023
- Game Time: 7:30 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPNU
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Stadium: Rice Stadium
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Spread Odds | Underdog Spread Odds | Total | Over Total Odds | Under Total Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SMU | -11.5 | -110 | -110 | 58 | -111 | -109 | -460 | +346 |
SMU Pick Insights
- SMU has posted a 4-3-0 record against the spread this season.
- When it has played as at least 11.5-point favorites this season, SMU is 4-1 against the spread.
- Two of SMU’s seven games with a set total have hit the over (28.6%).
SMU Stats & Insights
- SMU has been firing on all cylinders this year, ranking 16th-best in total offense (463 yards per game) and 12th-best in total defense (280.8 yards allowed per game).
- SMU has been a handful for opposing teams, as they rank top-25 in both scoring offense (seventh-best with 40.5 points per game) and scoring defense (fifth-best with 14 points allowed per game) this year.
- SMU has been a difficult matchup for opposing teams in the passing game, with a top-25 ranking in both passing offense (15th-best with 295 passing yards per game) and passing defense (eighth-best with 166.5 passing yards allowed per game) this year.
- On offense, SMU ranks 52nd in the FBS with 168 rushing yards per game. Meanwhile, the defensive unit ranks 28th in rushing yards allowed per contest (114.3).
- Defensively, SMU has been a top-25 unit in terms of third-down efficiency, ranking ninth-best by surrendering a 29.3% third-down conversion rate. The team’s offense ranks 49th (42.3% third-down percentage).
- SMU ranks 66th in college football with an even turnover margin after forcing 7 turnovers (113th in the FBS) while committing seven (14th in the FBS).
SMU’s Best Players
- Preston Stone has thrown for 2,138 yards (267.3 ypg) to lead SMU, completing 59.4% of his passes and collecting 19 touchdown passes compared to five interceptions this season. He’s also figured in the ground game with 118 rushing yards on 40 carries with two rushing touchdowns.
- Jaylan Knighton has racked up 456 yards on 83 carries while finding paydirt four times.
- LJ Johnson Jr. has carried the ball 43 times for 248 yards (31 per game) and one touchdown.
- Jordan Kerley has hauled in 18 catches for 319 yards (39.9 yards per game) to lead the team so far this season. He’s found the end zone two times as a receiver.
- RJ Maryland has caught 23 passes for 315 yards (39.4 yards per game) and five touchdowns this year.
- Jake Bailey has been the target of 35 passes and compiled 27 grabs for 311 yards, an average of 38.9 yards per contest.
- Elijah Roberts has collected four sacks to lead the team, while also recording five TFL and 16 tackles.
- Kobe Wilson is the team’s tackle leader this year. He’s racked up 37 tackles and two TFL.
- Cale Sanders has a team-leading one interception to go along with 13 tackles and one pass defended.
Rice Betting Insights
- Rice has a 5-2-0 record against the spread this season.
- Rice is a perfect 1-0 against the spread when an underdog by 11.5 points or more this season.
- Rice games have gone over the point total in four out of seven opportunities (57.1%).
Rice Pick Insights
- With 394.6 total yards per game on offense, Rice ranks 64th in the FBS in 2023. On defense, it ranks 89th, allowing 392.3 total yards per contest.
- Rice is posting 33.3 points per game on offense this season (33rd-ranked). Meanwhile, it is surrendering 27.8 points per contest (84th-ranked) on defense.
- Rice’s passing attack has been paving the way for the team, as it ranks 13th-best in the FBS with 303.5 passing yards per game. In terms of defense, it is allowing 245.1 passing yards per game, which ranks 99th.
- Rice’s running game has not been getting things done, ranking eighth-worst in the FBS with 91.1 rushing yards per game. It has been more effective on the defensive side of the ball, giving up 147.1 rushing yards per contest (73rd-ranked).
- With a 44% third-down conversion rate on offense, Rice ranks 31st in the FBS. On defense, it ranks 52nd, allowing a 36.4% third-down rate.
- With nine forced turnovers (93rd in the FBS) and 11 turnovers committed (66th in the FBS) this season, Rice ranks 85th in the FBS with a turnover margin of -2.
Rice’s Best Players
- JT Daniels has racked up 2,362 yards (295.3 ypg) while completing 63.6% of his passes and collecting 19 touchdown passes with six interceptions this season.
- Dean Connors has carried the ball 58 times for a team-high 337 yards (42.1 per game) with four touchdowns. He also leads the team through the air, as his 28 receptions this season are good for 338 yards, and he’s scored two touchdowns in the passing game.
- Juma Otoviano has piled up 56 carries and totaled 209 yards with four touchdowns.
- McCaffrey has racked up 692 receiving yards on 41 receptions to pace his team so far this season while scoring eight touchdowns as a receiver.
- Rawson MacNeill’s 22 grabs (on 39 targets) have netted him 290 yards (36.3 ypg) and two touchdowns.
- Coleman Coco has racked up 2.5 sacks to pace the team, while also recording four TFL and 28 tackles.
- Plae Wyatt is the team’s leading tackler this year. He’s picked up 52 tackles, three TFL, and one sack.
- Gabe Taylor has a team-leading two interceptions to go along with 38 tackles, one TFL, one sack, and two passes defended.
