UTEP at Rice

Rice was having a respectable season until it all came crashing down in a 56-23 loss to Charlotte, which was 1-7 straight-up coming into the game and still totaled 514 yards of offense, including 239 rushing. Rice quarterback TJ McMahon finished 18 of 33 for 218 yards and three touchdowns with an interception, but he was no match for Charlotte QB Chris Reynolds, who threw  five TDs passes with no picks. UTEP lost 24-13 to Middle Tennessee and the Miners went UNDER for the seventh time in nine games dating to last season. Gavin Hardison threw for 177 yards with a TD and interception, but the Miners otherwise had to settle for two field goals. UTEP will have an easier time against the weaker Rice defense and the Miners are 6-2 ATS their past eight after scoring fewer than 20 points their previous game and they are 6-1 UNDER after losing by double digits at home. Rice is 0-6 ATS in Thursday games. Take UTEP and the UNDER.