Rice Owls vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish Prediction, 9/12/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Rice Owls vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026

Location: Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, IN

TV: NBC

Odds/Point Spread: Fighting Irish (-44.5)

Total/Over-Under: 54.5

The Rice Owls (1-0) are headed to Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, September 12, 2026 where they will attempt to defeat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-0). Rice opens this game as 44.5-point underdogs. The total has been set at 54.5.

The Rice Owls step onto the field holding a record of 1-0 for this year. The last time they took the field, the Owls took the field against the Houston Christian Huskies and walked away with a win by a score of 31-3. The Rice Owls ended up rushing 70 different times and had 465 yds, earning them an average of 6.6 yds per carry. In all, they had 80 plays which gave them a total of 493 yds. Rice gave up 8 pass completions on 23 attempts for 96 yds, and a completion rate of 34.8%. In the running game, the Owls gave up 148 yards on 35 tries, which is an average of 4.2 yards per rush surrendered.

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When talking about scoring points, the Rice Owls hold an average of 31.0 points per outing. As a team they hold an average of 465.0 yards on the ground which has them sitting 3rd in Division 1. The Owls currently have 493 total yards for the season. When it comes to getting in the endzone, Rice has earned no touchdowns through the air and 4 touchdowns on the ground. Rice has a total of 27 1st downs as a unit, and they have committed 3 infractions for 30 yards. They haven't turned the ball over yet.

Concerning passing yardage, the Owls have given up 96 yards which has them ranked 18th in the nation. They have conceded 96.0 yards per outing through the air and conceding a completion percentage of 34.8%. During the season, they have given up 244.0 yards per contest which ranks them 46th in Division 1. They have conceded no touchdowns through the air as well as no touchdowns on the ground. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 4.2 yards per run and 148.0 yards on the ground per game this year. For the season, they have given up 148 rushing yards through 1 outing. The Owls rank 13th in the country when it comes to team defense, allowing 3.0 PPG.

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The Fighting Irish come into this game with a record of 1-0 for this season. In their last game, the Fighting Irish walked away with a victory by a final of 41-13 when they faced the Wisconsin Badgers. Notre Dame rushed the ball for 3.5 yds per attempt, totaling 111 yds on 32 attempts. The Fighting Irish finished the game with 350 yards and they ran 61 plays (5.7 yds per play). The Fighting Irish secondary allowed a completion percentage of 63.3%, surrendering 217 yds on 19 for 30 through the air. Notre Dame allowed 31 rush attempts for 67 yds (2.2 yards per carry).

Regarding their ability to score points, the Fighting Irish are 45th in D-1 holding an average of 41.0 points per game. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish maintain an average of 350.0 yards/game, which has them ranked 96th in Division 1. The Notre Dame offense has compiled 41 yards of penalties on 4 infraction, ranking them 110th in college football in terms of hurting your team. They have tossed no picks while conceding no fumbles and they have been able to record 20 1st downs. For the season thus far, the Fighting Irish have thrown for a total of 239 yards via the pass. They average 111.0 yards per game via the rush.

The Fighting Irish are surrendering 13.0 PPG, which has them 50th in college football. Notre Dame has conceded a total of 67 yards via the ground game and no touchdowns via the rush for the campaign. They have surrendered 1 touchdown through the air as well as 217.0 yards/outing, which has them ranked 85th in Division 1. The Fighting Irish defense has participated in 61 plays, ranking them 59th in Division 1. They have totaled 1 fumble recovery and 1 pick for the season.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Fighting Irish -44.5

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