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The Texas State Bobcats and the Rice Owls will meet for the First Responder Bowl. The matchup is at 5:30 PM ET on December 26, 2023, and airs on ESPN.
The Bobcats are favored, but by less than a touchdown (-6.5), against the Owls. The over/under for this game is 60.5 points.
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Game Info for Texas State vs. Rice
- Game Day: Tuesday, December 26, 2023
- Game Time: 5:30 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Location: University Park, Texas
- Stadium: Gerald J. Ford Stadium
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Spread Odds | Underdog Spread Odds | Total | Over Total Odds | Under Total Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas State | -6.5 | -110 | -110 | 60.5 | -110 | -110 | -225 | +185 |
Texas State Pick Insights
- Texas State has a 5-6-0 record against the spread this season.
- When it has played as at least 6.5-point favorites this season, Texas State is 1-2 against the spread.
- Texas State games have gone over the point total on four of 11 occasions (36.4%).
Texas State Stats & Insights
- On the offensive side of the ball, Texas State has been a top-25 unit, ranking 14th-best in the FBS by totaling 463.5 yards per game. The defense ranks 107th (414.3 yards allowed per game).
- Texas State has struggled defensively, ranking 17th-worst in the FBS (33.8 points allowed per game) this season. However, the defensive unit ranks 17th-best on the offensive side of the ball, averaging 36 points per game.
- Texas State sports the 28th-ranked passing offense this year (272.6 passing yards per game), and has been less effective on the other side of the ball, ranking 15th-worst with 256.4 passing yards allowed per game.
- On the offensive side of the ball, Texas State has been a top-25 unit in terms of rushing yards, ranking 22nd-best in the FBS by averaging 190.9 per game. The Bobcats rank 80th on defense (157.9 rushing yards allowed per game).
- Texas State has struggled on defense in terms of third-down efficiency, ranking fourth-worst in the FBS (48% third-down conversion rate) this season. With the ball, however, the Bobcats ranks 23rd-best, averaging a 44.9% third-down conversion rate.
- Texas State has forced 15 total turnovers (84th in the FBS) this season and have turned it over 21 times (112th in the FBS) for a turnover margin of -6, the 22nd-worst in college football.
Texas State’s Best Players
- TJ Finley has thrown for 3,188 yards (265.7 ypg) to lead Texas State, completing 68.6% of his passes and recording 24 touchdown passes compared to eight interceptions this season.
- Ismail Mahdi has carried the ball 199 times for a team-high 1,209 yards on the ground and has found the end zone 10 times as a runner.
- This season, Donerio Davenport has carried the ball 91 times for 461 yards (38.4 per game) and two touchdowns.
- Joey Hobert’s 847 yards as a receiver lead the team. He’s been targeted 93 times and has totaled 71 catches and eight touchdowns.
- Ashtyn Hawkins has caught 52 passes for 819 yards (68.3 yards per game) and three touchdowns this year.
- Kole Wilson has a total of 697 receiving yards so far this year, grabbing 61 passes and scoring eight touchdowns.
- Ben Bell has collected eight sacks to lead the team, while also picking up 12 TFL and 44 tackles.
- Brian Holloway has 84 tackles, 10 TFL, 1.5 sacks, and two interceptions, and leads the team in both tackles and interceptions.
Rice Betting Insights
- Rice has gone 7-3-1 ATS this season.
- Rice has a 4-1 record against the spread this year when an underdog by 6.5 points or more.
- The teams have hit the over in five of Rice’s 11 games with a set total.
Rice Pick Insights
- With 376.8 total yards per game on the offensive side of the ball, Rice ranks 73rd in the FBS in 2023. Defensively, it ranks 57th, giving up 370 total yards per contest.
- With 30.3 points per game on the offensive side of the ball, Rice ranks 49th in the FBS. Defensively, it ranks 69th, surrendering 26.7 points per game.
- From an offensive perspective, Rice is generating 264.2 passing yards per game (38th-ranked). It ranks 54th in the FBS defensively (217.2 passing yards allowed per game).
- Rice’s running game has been struggling, ranking 21st-worst in the FBS with 112.6 rushing yards per game. It has been better defensively, giving up 152.8 rushing yards per contest (69th-ranked).
- Rice ranks 68th in the FBS with a 38.8% third-down conversion rate on offense, and 49th with a 36.6% third-down percentage allowed on defense.
- Rice has forced 12 turnovers this season and have turned the ball over 19 times, leading to a -7 turnover margin that is 14th-worst in the FBS.
Rice’s Best Players
- JT Daniels has racked up 2,443 yards (203.6 yards per game) while completing 63.1% of his passes and tossing 21 touchdown passes with seven interceptions this season.
- Dean Connors’ team-high 707 rushing yards have come on 106 carries, with five touchdowns. He also leads the team with 395 receiving yards (32.9 per game) on 42 catches with three touchdowns.
- Juma Otoviano has rushed for 312 yards on 85 carries with four touchdowns.
- Luke McCaffrey paces his squad with 963 receiving yards on 68 receptions with 12 touchdowns.
- Boden Groen has racked up 376 reciving yards (31.3 ypg) and three touchdowns this season.
- Coleman Coco paces the team with 3.5 sacks, and also has five TFL and 36 tackles.
- Plae Wyatt is the team’s leading tackler this year. He’s picked up 60 tackles, three TFL, and one sack.
- Gabe Taylor has picked off a team-high two passes. He also has 40 tackles, one TFL, one sack, and two passes defended to his name.
