Through 3 Quarters
A great path to victory is to simply outgain your opponent on the field, and that's working so far for the Houston Cougars (with 337 yards vs. 126 yards). Three quarters in and their offense has really been able to impose its will, dominating the Rice Owls 31-7 three quarters in. Both teams are trying to put recent losses behind them.
Houston has enjoyed the tag-team combination of RB Alton McCaskill and QB Clayton Tune. The former has punched in two rushing touchdowns in addition to catching four passes for one TD and 51 yards, while the latter has passed for two TDs and 222 yards on 29 attempts in addition to picking up 50 yards on the ground. McCaskill's performance is making up for a slower game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders last week.
With three sacks, the Houston defense has been a true menace for Rice's offensive line. We'll see how many sacks the Cougars can scare up the rest of the game.
Who's Playing
Houston @ Rice
Current Records: Houston 0-1; Rice 0-1
Last Season Records: Rice 2-3; Houston 3-5
What to Know
The Houston Cougars will take on the Rice Owls at 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Rice Stadium. The Cougars will be hoping to build upon the 45-27 win they picked up against Rice when they previously played in September of 2018.
Houston might have drawn first blood against the Texas Tech Red Raiders last week, but it was Texas Tech who got the last laugh. Houston took a 38-21 bruising from Texas Tech. Houston was up 14 to nothing at the end of the first quarter but couldn't hold on to the lead. No one had a standout game offensively for Houston, but they got scores from WR Nathaniel Dell and TE Seth Green.
Meanwhile, Rice's and the Arkansas Razorbacks' contest last week was up for grabs at halftime, but Rice was thoroughly outmatched 31-7 in the second half. Rice has to be aching after a bruising 38-17 loss to the Razorbacks. The Owls were surely aware of their 19.5-point disadvantage in the point spread, but the foreknowledge did nothing to prevent the result. WR August Pitre III put forth a good effort for the losing side as he caught four passes for one TD and 97 yards.
With both teams hitting sour notes in their previous games, they will no doubt be looking to produce a better outcome in this one. Giving up four turnovers, the Cougars had had trouble holding onto the ball. We'll see if Rice can exploit that vulnerability.
How To Watch
- When: Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Rice Stadium -- Houston, Texas
- TV: CBS Sports Network
- Live Stream: CBSSports.com or fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Watch on your Phone: CBS Sports App
- Watch on Connected TV: CBS Sports App on Roku and Fire TV
- Ticket Cost: $31.99
Series History
Houston have won both of the games they've played against Rice in the last seven years.
- Sep 01, 2018 - Houston 45 vs. Rice 27
- Sep 16, 2017 - Houston 38 vs. Rice 3
