Rice Owls vs Fresno State Bulldogs Prediction, 9/26/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Rice Owls vs Fresno State Bulldogs

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026

Location: Valley Children's Stadium in Fresno, CA

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Bulldogs (-14.5)

Total/Over-Under: 44.5

Valley Children's Stadium is where the Fresno State Bulldogs (2-1) will attempt to defeat the Rice Owls (1-2) on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Rice is 14.5-point dogs from oddsmakers. The over/under has been set at 44.5.

The Rice Owls step onto the field holding a record of 1-2 this season. In their last game, the Owls played against the Western Michigan Broncos and took a loss by a final of 28-21. The Rice Owls ran the rock 44 different times and recorded 209 yds, which had them averaging 4.8 yards per carry. When all was said and done, they had 62 plays which converted into 330 yards. Rice surrendered 14 pass completions on 21 attempts for 116 yds, and a completion rate of 66.7%. Against the rush, the Owls conceded 217 yds on 42 tries, which is 5.2 yds per run surrendered.

In terms of scoring, the Rice Owls have an average of 17.3 points per contest. As a unit they are averaging 243.7 yards on the ground ranking this team at 19th in college football. The Owls have earned 951 total yards this season. When it comes to scoring touchdowns, Rice has totaled 2 touchdowns through the air and 5 rushing touchdowns. Rice has recorded 54 first downs, and they have been hurt by 12 penalties for 127 yards. They have surrendered the football 4 times.

The Owls sit in 107th in D-1 regarding the opposition scoring, allowing 27.7 PPG. Opposing teams are running for an average of 4.4 yards per rushing attempt and 161.0 yards on the ground per game on the year. During the season, they have conceded 483 running yards through 3 games. When talking about yards via the pass, the Owls have conceded 574 yards which puts them in 61st in the country. They have relinquished 191.3 yards per game via the pass and giving up a completion percentage of 61.1%. For the season, they have yielded 352.3 yards per contest which has them sitting 81st in Division 1. They have given up 5 touchdowns by air and 5 touchdowns on the ground.

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The Bulldogs come into this game with a record of 2-1 for this season. The last time they took the gridiron, the Bulldogs walked away with a victory by a final of 26-10 when they faced the San Jose State Spartans. Fresno State gave up 32 run attempts for 91 yds (2.8 yds per rush). The Bulldogs pass defense allowed a completion percentage of 55.3%, surrendering 244 yds on 21 for 38 through the air. The Bulldogs finished with 354 yards while they ran 68 plays (5.2 yds per play). Fresno State rushed the football for 4.3 yards per tote, finishing with a total of 168 yds on 39 carries.

The Fresno State Bulldogs are averaging 337.3 yards/contest, which is good for 111th in the nation. The Fresno State offense has totaled 115 yards of penalties on 17 violations, which has them ranked 96th in D-1 in terms of giving up free yards. They average 133.3 rushing yards per game and have run for 400 yards overall. They have tossed 1 interception while allowing opponents to recover 1 fumble and they have earned 51 1st downs. In terms of their ability to score points, the Bulldogs are ranked 100th in college football holding an average of 25.0 points per game. During this campaign thus far, the Bulldogs have a total of 612 passing yards as well as an average of 204.0 passing yards per outing, which ranks 92nd in Division 1.

The Bulldogs are relinquishing 17.3 points per game, which puts them 43rd in college football. Fresno State has allowed a total of 343 yards via the ground game (114.3 yards per contest) and 2 touchdowns by way of the ground game so far this year. They have allowed the opposition 4 touchdowns via the pass as well as 268.7 yards per game, which has them ranked 125th in Division 1. The Bulldogs defense has taken part in 203 plays, which is good for 94th in Division 1. They have totaled 2 fumbles recovered and 5 picks so far this season. Over the course of the season, they have given up 52 total points.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Owls +14.5

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