Rice at Santa Clara

I like Rice in this one for a few reasons. They are 2-0 lifetime vs. the Broncos with one of the wins was last year by 13 in Houston when Rice won just eight games all season. They are improved this year, out of the gate 2-0. Santa Clara lost to USC as expected, but really struggled against Cal Bakersfield. The Owls have been a perfect 4-0 ATS in their last four as a road dog, while Santa Clara is a money-burning 1-8 ATS in their last nine as a favorite. Santa Clara is also just 8-20-1 ATS in their last 29 playing outside the conference. Rice can stay close or win here, so I'll back them with the points in this one.