- Matchup: Rice Owls vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Scheduled Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
- Venue: Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, IN
- Broadcast: NBC
- Point Spread: Fighting Irish favored by (-44.5)
- Total Points Over/Under: 54.5
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The Rice Owls, with a record of 1-0, will head to Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, September 12, 2026, to challenge the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who also hold a 1-0 record. Rice enters this matchup as 44.5-point underdogs, and the total points are set at 54.5.
The Owls come into this game following a convincing victory against the Houston Christian Huskies, finishing the game with a score of 31-3. In that matchup, Rice executed an impressive 70 rushing attempts, accumulating 465 yards for an average of 6.6 yards per carry. Overall, they ran 80 plays, achieving a total of 493 yards. Defensively, Rice allowed 8 completions out of 23 attempts for a total of 96 yards, which translates to a completion rate of 34.8%. On the ground, they surrendered 148 yards on 35 carries, averaging 4.2 yards per rush.
In terms of scoring, the Rice Owls have averaged 31.0 points per game, while their ground game ranks third in Division 1 with an average of 465.0 yards. So far this season, they have posted a total of 493 yards. Notably, Rice has not scored any touchdowns through the air but has found the end zone four times on the ground. As a unit, they have achieved 27 first downs and incurred 3 penalties totaling 30 yards, with no turnovers to date.
Defensively, the Owls have allowed only 96 passing yards, ranking them 18th nationally. They have given up an average of 96.0 yards per game with a completion percentage against of 34.8%. This season, they have conceded 244.0 total yards per contest, placing them 46th in Division 1. Remarkably, Rice has not allowed any touchdowns either through the air or on the ground, averaging 4.2 yards per rush and 148.0 rushing yards allowed per game. With a mere 3.0 PPG against, the Owls rank 13th in overall team defense.
The Fighting Irish will enter this game with an equal record of 1-0. In their previous game, they triumphed over the Wisconsin Badgers with a final score of 41-13. Notre Dame averaged 3.5 yards per carry, totaling 111 yards on 32 attempts, while finishing the game with 350 total yards over 61 plays (averaging 5.7 yards per play). The secondary allowed a completion rate of 63.3%, yielding 217 yards on 19 completions from 30 attempts. They also permitted 31 rushing attempts for only 67 yards (2.2 yards per carry).
The Fighting Irish boast a scoring average of 41.0 points per game, ranking them 45th in Division 1. They currently average 350.0 total yards per game, positioning them at 96th in the division. Notre Dame has incurred 41 yards in penalties from 4 infractions, placing them 110th in college football for team discipline. They have not thrown any interceptions or fumbled the ball, successfully achieving 20 first downs. To date, the Fighting Irish have accumulated 239 passing yards and average 111.0 rushing yards per game.
Defensively, Notre Dame allows 13.0 PPG, ranking 50th in college football. They have conceded just 67 rushing yards this season without allowing any rushing touchdowns. However, four touchdowns have occurred through the air, yielding an average of 217.0 passing yards per game, placing them 85th in Division 1. Through 61 defensive plays, the Fighting Irish’s defense ranks 59th and has one fumble recovery and one interception under their belt this season.
Who will emerge victorious in the Owls vs. Fighting Irish matchup against the spread?
Prediction: Take the Fighting Irish -44.5
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