Last week saw the Rutgers football team suffer another defeat, dropping our season record to 7-6 as they lost to Ohio State. As we aim to finish the season above .500, all eyes are now on the Rice Owls to help secure that goal.
This spring, Rice made a surprising yet bold move by appointing Scott Abell as the new head coach and implementing a triple-option offense. While some skeptics chuckled at this decision, the reasoning behind it is quite strategic. Competing against numerous FBS programs in Texas and neighboring states is no small feat, especially for a team like Rice, burdened with a challenging record and high academic standards, making talent acquisition more difficult.
To carve out a niche, Coach Abell drew inspiration from the successful formula used by Service Academies such as Navy, Army, and Air Force, which often rely on disciplined and tough styles of play. These teams have thrived despite similar recruiting challenges by adopting a unique approach to the game, and Abell aims to replicate that success at Rice.
Currently, the Owls boast a record of 5-6 and stand just one win away from bowl eligibility. Their final opportunity to achieve this comes against South Florida, where they are significant underdogs at 27.5 points. Although claiming victory in this challenging matchup may seem daunting, there’s reason to believe that the Owls can perform well against the spread.
A significant factor in their playstyle is their reliance on the run game; Rice runs the ball on 74% of their plays, which tends to keep the game clock moving and makes life harder for opponents looking to large leads. Similarly, South Florida, while predominantly a passing team, will likely lean on their rushing attack, especially if they build an early advantage.
For Rice, scoring opportunities may be more fruitful than one thinks. They rank 16th in the nation regarding red-zone scoring percentage, suggesting they can capitalize on their chances near the opponent’s end zone.
As fans and bettors alike ride the rollercoaster with these ‘Ugly Underdogs,’ there is hope that Rice can deliver a memorable performance and lead us into bowl season on a positive note. The advised bet is Rice +27.5.
Michael Leboff brings a decade of experience in the sports betting industry, offering insights that blend both passion for sports and strategic analysis to help bettors navigate the often unpredictable landscape of college football.