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The First Responder Bowl will see the Texas State Bobcats entering a showdown against the Rice Owls on Tuesday, December 26, 2023. Kickoff is at 5:30 PM ET on ESPN.
The Bobcats are the favorites (-4.5) in their matchup versus the Owls, with the over/under at 60.5 points. (In terms of the moneyline, the Bobcats are -191 and the Owls are +158.)
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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 | -4.5 | -110 | -110 | 60.5 | -110 | -110 | -191 | +158 |
Texas State Pick Insights
- So far this season, Texas State has compiled a 5-6-0 record against the spread.
- In games it has played as at least 4.5-point favorites this season, Texas State is 1-2 against the spread.
- Texas State has gone over in four of its 11 games with a set total (36.4%).
Texas State Stats & Insights
- Offensively, Texas State has been a top-25 unit, ranking 14th-best in the FBS by putting up 463.5 yards per game. The defense ranks 107th (414.3 yards allowed per game).
- While Texas State ranks 17th-worst in the FBS in scoring defense with 33.8 points allowed per game, the team has been better with the ball, ranking 17th-best in the FBS in scoring (36 points per game).
- Despite sporting a bottom-25 pass defense that ranks 15th-worst in the FBS (256.4 passing yards allowed per game), Texas State has put up better results offensively, ranking 28th in the FBS by totaling 272.6 passing yards per game.
- Texas State sports the 80th-ranked defense this season in terms of rushing yards (157.9 rushing yards allowed per game), and has been better on the other side of the ball, ranking 22nd-best with 190.9 rushing yards per game.
- While Texas State ranks fourth-worst in the FBS in third-down efficiency on defense with a 48% third-down percentage allowed, it’s been a different situation on the other side of the ball, where the Bobcats rank 23rd-best in the FBS (44.9% third-down percentage).
- Texas State has forced 15 total turnovers (84th in the FBS) this season and have turned it over 21 times (112th in the FBS) resulting in 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 tossing 24 touchdown passes compared to eight interceptions this season.
- Ismail Mahdi has racked up 1,209 yards on 199 carries while finding paydirt 10 times as a runner.
- 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 receptions and eight touchdowns.
- Ashtyn Hawkins has grabbed 52 passes while averaging 68.3 yards per game and scoring three touchdowns.
- Kole Wilson has been the target of 88 passes and racked up 61 catches for 697 yards, an average of 58.1 yards per contest. He’s found the end zone eight times through the air this season.
- Ben Bell has eight sacks to lead the team, and also has 12 TFL and 44 tackles.
- Brian Holloway, Texas State’s top tackler, has 84 tackles, 10 TFL, 1.5 sacks, and two interceptions this year.
- Kaleb Ford-Dement leads the team with two interceptions, while also recording 25 tackles, three TFL, one sack, and two passes defended.
Rice Betting Insights
- So far this season, Rice has put together a 7-3-1 record against the spread.
- Rice is a 4-1 record against the spread in games it was an underdog by 4.5 points or more this year.
- 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 offense, Rice ranks 73rd in the FBS in 2023. On defense, it ranks 57th, giving up 370 total yards per contest.
- With 30.3 points per game on offense, Rice ranks 49th in the FBS. On defense, it ranks 69th, allowing 26.7 points per contest.
- From an offensive angle, Rice is putting up 264.2 passing yards per game (38th-ranked). It ranks 54th in the FBS on defense (217.2 passing yards surrendered per game).
- Rice ranks 21st-worst in rushing yards per game (112.6), but it has been more effective on the other side of the ball, ranking 69th in the FBS with 152.8 rushing yards conceded per contest.
- From an offensive standpoint, Rice is putting up a 38.8% third-down conversion percentage (68th-ranked). It ranks 49th in the FBS defensively (36.6% third-down rate allowed).
- 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 thrown for 2,443 yards on 63.1% passing while tossing 21 touchdown passes with seven interceptions this season.
- Dean Connors has been handed the ball 106 times for a team-high 707 yards (58.9 per game) with five touchdowns. He also leads the team through the air, as his 42 receptions this season are good for 395 yards, and he’s scored three touchdowns in the passing game.
- Juma Otoviano has racked up 312 yards on 85 carries with four touchdowns.
- Luke McCaffrey has collected 68 receptions this season and his team-high yardage total sits at 963 (80.3 yards per game). He’s been targeted 113 times and has 12 touchdowns.
- Boden Groen’s 37 catches (on 47 targets) have netted him 376 yards (31.3 ypg) and three touchdowns.
- Coleman Coco has 3.5 sacks to pace the team, and also has five TFL and 36 tackles.
- Plae Wyatt is the team’s leading tackler this year. He’s totaled 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.
