SMU at Rice

Don't look now, but the Rice Owls have four wins - a number they have not exceeded since the 2008-09 season. Rice has usually been eliminated from any Bowl consideration at this point of the season, but with a winnable game at UTEP left this could become a huge game for the Owls. Rice has really come together late in the season, and are 3-1 over their last four games where they have scored a total of 151 points or 37.8 points per game. SMU needs one more win to become Bowl eligible. They are led by erratic QB Garrett Gilbert who transferred from Texas. He has a high ceiling, but his 13 TDs and 13 INTs have not lived up to the billing. This game is one of conference revenge for Rice, and that is a good place to be as these teams have delivered a 95-51 ATS mark as home dogs. Rice is the best in this spot as the Owls are 22-2 ATS as a conference home dog - as long as they have at least one win on the season. Tough numbers to ignore, so play on Rice.