Rice Owls vs Houston Cougars Picks and Predictions September 6th 2025

Houston vs Rice Picks and Predictions

Saturday marks another chapter in the storied Houston rivalry as the Houston Cougars head across town to battle the Rice Owls. But this year’s edition brings a unique twist: new coaching dynamics, revamped rosters, and promising debuts on both sidelines.

Houston opened the 2025 season with a convincing 27-0 shutout of Stephen F. Austin, showcasing not only a new quarterback in Conner Weigman but also fresh faces at all three coordinator positions. On the other hand, Rice pulled off a surprising 14-12 road upset against Louisiana, entering as two-touchdown underdogs.

Both programs are off to strong starts—but only one will stay undefeated.

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First Impressions from Week 1

Houston’s revamped coaching staff passed its first test. Offensive coordinator Slade Nagle and defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong helped guide the Cougars to a clean, well-executed win. New special teams coordinator Chris Couch also made a positive impact.

Coach Willie Fritz acknowledged there’s room to improve communication among his new staff, but overall he was pleased with their debut: “We’ll get better.”

Quarterback Conner Weigman, a transfer from Texas A&M, threw for 159 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 39 more. It was his first full game since recovering from injury last season.

Rice coach Scott Abell also earned a win in his debut. The Owls leaned on a powerful ground game and a stingy defense to beat Louisiana. Running back Quinton Jackson carried 22 times for 119 yards and a score. The defense held the Ragin’ Cajuns to just 88 passing yards, though quarterback Chase Jenkins only threw for 45 himself.

For more betting tips and updates, check the College Football Picks and NCAAF Odds sections.

By the Numbers

Storylines to Follow

With new leadership at all key coaching positions, Week 1 was as much about chemistry as it was execution. The staff will look to build on its debut and sharpen its game-day coordination. If communication improves, Houston’s offense may unlock even more potential.

Rice’s Defense and Ground Game

Quinton Jackson gives Rice a true feature back, and the defensive performance last week was encouraging. However, they’ll need more from quarterback Chase Jenkins to keep up with a Cougars team that can score quickly and efficiently.

Weigman’s Comeback Trail

The Texas A&M transfer looked healthy and decisive in his debut. As he shakes off more rust, his dual-threat ability could become a major weapon against a defense like Rice’s, which is better against the pass than the run.

Betting Angle and Final Prediction

Houston is the clear favorite, both historically and on paper. But Rice proved last week it can handle adversity and pull off an upset. If the Owls can slow down the pace and control time of possession, they might hang around. Still, talent and depth heavily favor Houston.

Picks Table

For more strategic insight, head over to the Expert NFL Betting Guide, which also applies to college game planning.