Rice Owls vs Charlotte 49ers Prediction, 9/18/2025 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Rice Owls vs Charlotte 49ers

Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025

Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, NC

TV: ESPN/ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: 49ers (+2.5)

Total/Over-Under: 42.5

Jerry Richardson Stadium is the location where the Charlotte 49ers (1-2) will play the Rice Owls (2-1) on Thursday, September 18, 2025. Charlotte is 2.5-point underdogs. The total comes in at 42.5.

The Rice Owls head into this game 2-1 this season. In their last contest, the Owls faced the Prairie View A&M Panthers and walked away with a win by a score of 38-17. Against the run, the Owls conceded 100 yds on 32 attempts, which is 3.1 yards per run allowed. Rice relinquished 13 pass completions on 28 tries for 151 yds, and a completion rate of 46.4%. In all, they had 79 plays which converted into 461 yds. The Rice Owls ran the ball 60 different times and accrued 347 yds, which is an average of 5.8 yds per attempt.

Concerning scoring points, the Rice Owls hold an average of 20.3 points per outing. As a team they average 243.3 yards via the ground game ranking them 14th in the country. The Owls have attained 940 total yards over the course of this year. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, Rice has amassed 2 touchdowns via the pass and 6 rushing touchdowns. Rice has amassed 62 first downs as an offense, and they have been hurt by 15 penalties for 158 yds. They have turned the football over 2 different times.

When it comes to passing yards, the Owls have conceded 427 yards which has them ranked 31st in D-1. They have conceded 142.3 yards per game via the pass and giving up a completion percentage of 48.8%. During this campaign, they have given up 294.0 yards per game which puts them 43rd in the country. They have surrendered 2 touchdowns by air as well as 5 touchdowns via the ground game. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 4.5 yards per running attempt and 151.7 rushing yards per game so far this year. For the season, they have allowed 455 running yards through 3 games. The Owls are sitting in 69th in college football regarding team defense, conceding 21.3 PPG.

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The 49ers head into this game 1-2 for this season. The last time they took the field, the 49ers walked away with a victory by a final of 42-35 against the Monmouth Hawks. Charlotte relinquished 23 rushing attempts for 48 yds (2.1 yds per carry). The 49ers secondary conceded a completion rate of 73.5%, surrendering 410 yds on 36 for 49 through the air. The 49ers finished with 563 yards while running 72 plays (7.8 yards per play). Charlotte ended up running for 4.3 yds per carry, finishing the game with 181 yards on 42 carries.

The Charlotte 49ers average 350.7 yards per contest, ranking them 93rd in college football. The Charlotte offense has 200 yds of penalties on 23 infractions, which is 28th in the nation in terms of giving up free yards. They are averaging 92.7 yards per game via the rush and have rushed for 278 yards overall. They have tossed 4 interceptions while allowing opponents to recover 3 fumbles and they have been able to tally 65 1st downs. Regarding how much they score, the 49ers sit 115th in the country with 18.7 PPG. During the season to this point, the 49ers have compiled 774 passing yards as well as an average of 258.0 passing yards per contest, putting them at 44th in the nation.

Charlotte has conceded a total of 378 yards rushing (126.0 yards per contest) and 3 touchdowns rushing for the season. They have given up 8 touchdowns through the air in addition to 323.0 yards/outing, which puts them in 135th in college football. This year, they have given up 89 points in total. They have totaled 1 fumble and 0 picks this year. The 49ers defense has taken the field for 218 plays, which ranks 120th in college football. The 49ers are conceding 29.7 PPG, which puts them 106th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Owls/49ers college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Owls -2.5

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