2022 Rice Owls Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions

Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

2022 RICE OWLS BETTING ODDS, PREDICTIONS, PREVIEW

The Owls of Rice started out in an ugly hole, falling against Arkansas, Houston and Texas by 21 or more points, and an average of 40.0 PPG. The Owls could've folded up their tent, but won the next two games. After another whitewashing at the hands of UTSA, the Owls scored a win over eventual Conference USA champion UAB on the road as 23.5-point underdogs. Rice appeared to have turned a corner, but lost two heartbreaking games in overtime against North Texas and at Charlotte. All hope was lost in a home win against Western Kentucky, dropping a seventh game, ending any hope of bowl eligibility.

Rice takes aim at its first bowl trip since topping Fresno State in the Hawai'i Bowl on Dec. 24, 2014. The Owls are 3-1 in the past four bowl appearances, but unfortunately that spans all the way back to 2008.

QB Wiley Green is back, and he looks to hold off JUCO transfer QB T.J. McMahon. Whomever wins the job will have WR Cedric Patterson III (48-583-6) back, although WR Jake Bailey bounced for SMU via the transfer portal. WR Sam Crawford comes over from Tulsa to bolster the receivers corps, and QB Luke McCaffrey arrives from Nebraska. WR Bradley Rozner also returns after suffering a season-ending injury in the Arkansas game in early Sept. 2021.

The offense isn't the problem for the Owls, but the defense was horrific. Rice allowed 30 or more points in each of the final five games, and 10 of 12 outings. Overall they allowed 36.2 PPG to rank 121st in the nation, and 273.8 passing yards per game to check in 122nd. The Owls need vast improvement in all facets of D. To make matters worse, two of the better tacklers, LB Antonio Montero left for Villanova and LB Desmyn Baker went to fellow CUSA member Western Kentucky.

It starts off very difficult with a trip to USC, but a home game against FCS McNeese should help the Owls get to .500. However, trips to Houston and a home date with UAB before Oct. 1 is a tough assignment for Rice. The Owls also faced CUSA co-favorite UTSA, and trips to FAU and WKU don't do the Owls any favors, either. There just aren't a lot of games which look winnable for Rice. They'll again be competitive, especially inside the conference, but side with the UNDER 3.5 wins.

Best Bet: Rice Under 3.5 Wins (+110)

2022 RICE OWLS SCHEDULE

• Sat., Sept. 3 - at USC
• Sat., Sept. 10 - vs. McNeese
• Sat., Sept. 17 - vs. Louisiana
• Sat., Sept. 24 - at Houston
• Sat., Oct. 1 - vs. UAB
• Sat., Oct. 15 - at FAU
• Sat., Oct. 22 - at Louisiana Tech
• Sat., Oct. 29 - vs. Charlotte
• Sat., Nov. 5 - vs. UTEP
• Sat., Nov. 12 - at Western Kentucky
• Sat., Nov. 19 - vs. UTSA
• Sat., Nov. 26 - at North Texas

WIN TOTAL ODDS

• Over 3.5 (-130)
• Under 3.5 (+110)

RICE OWLS ODDS TO WIN C-USA CHAMPIONSHIP

+10000

Rice just isn't in the same class as teams like UAB, UTSA or the likes of FAU, UTEP and Western Kentucky. It's difficult to win at Rice, similar to how Duke and Vanderbilt have difficulty in the ACC and SEC. It's academics first, then football, perhaps the way it should be. But, that doesn't equate to a lot of victories in this day and age.

RICE OWLS ODDS TO WIN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

+300000

Rice is headed for the AAC next season, and the Owls could potentially get a lot more exposure and money coming into the program. But again, athletics take a back seat to academics, and you're not going to tick off national titles at a place like Rice. It's sad that is the way of big-time college athletics, but it is what it is. Rice's national championship equivalent is when it makes a bowl and can win.

RICE OWLS 2022 HEISMAN CONTENDERS & ODDS

The Rice Owls do not have any Heisman contenders to being the 2022 season.

2021 RICE OWLS BETTING RESULTS

• SU: 4-8
• ATS: 3-9
• O/U: 9-3
• ATS-Home: 2-4
• ATS-Road: 1-5
• ATS-Favorite: 1-2
• ATS-Underdog: 2-7

Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish