Western Michigan Broncos vs Rice Owls Prediction, 9/19/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Western Michigan Broncos vs Rice Owls

Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026

Location: Rice Stadium in Houston, TX

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Owls (+9.5)

Total/Over-Under: 43

The Western Michigan Broncos (1-1) are hitting the road to Rice Stadium on Saturday, September 19, 2026 where they will meet the Rice Owls (1-1). Western Michigan opens this contest as 9.5-point favorites. The betting total is set at 43.

The Western Michigan Broncos head into this matchup 1-1 for this season. The last time they took the field, the Broncos went up against the Monmouth Hawks and earned the victory with a final of 49-14. The Western Michigan Broncos ran the football 32 different times and accrued 148 yards, which had them averaging 4.6 yds per attempt. Once the final whistle blew, they had 57 plays which gave them 414 yds. Western Michigan conceded 28 completions on 46 attempts for 273 yds, and a completion rate of 60.9%. On the ground, the Broncos gave up 158 yards on 44 tries, which is 3.6 yds per rush surrendered.

The Broncos have racked up 635 total yards over the course of this season. When it comes to scoring touchdowns, Western Michigan has earned 4 passing touchdowns and 3 rushing touchdowns. They have yet to turn the ball over. Western Michigan has accrued 40 first downs, and they have committed 13 penalties for 108 yds. As a team they're averaging 140.0 yards in the run game which is 95th in D-1. When talking about getting in the endzone, the Western Michigan Broncos are sitting at 30.5 PPG.

When it comes to passing yards, the Broncos have allowed 443 yds which has them ranked 89th in D-1. They have relinquished 221.5 yards per outing through the air as well as conceding a completion percentage of 58.0%. In total, they are conceding 353.5 yards per contest ranking them 85th in the country. They have surrendered 2 touchdowns by air and 2 touchdowns on the ground. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.8 yards per rushing attempt and 132.0 rushing yards per game this year. During this campaign, they have given up 264 rushing yards through 2 contests. The Broncos are sitting in 41st in Division 1 regarding team defense, allowing 13.5 points per game.

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The Owls head into this matchup 1-1 this season. In their last game, the Owls took a defeat with a final score of 52-0 when they played the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Rice relinquished 32 attempts on the ground for 118 yards (3.7 yds per carry). The Owls passing defense gave up a completion rate of 75.8%, surrendering 360 yds on 25 for 33 through the air. The Owls finished the contest with 128 yds while they ran 46 plays (2.8 yds per play). Rice rushed for 1.9 yards per attempt, finishing the contest with 64 yds on 34 attempts.

The Rice Owls average 310.5 yards/game, which has them sitting 122nd in D-1. The Rice offense has totaled 67 penalty yards on 7 violations, which is good for 129th in Division 1 in terms of helping out the other team. They hold an average of 261.0 yards per game on the ground and have toted the ball for 522 yards overall. They have tossed no picks while losing 4 fumbles and they have obtained 34 1st downs. When it comes to how much they score, the Owls rank 130th in the nation averaging 15.5 PPG. For the year so far, the Owls have racked up 99 yards through the air as well as holding an average of 49.5 passing yards per contest, giving them a rank of 138th in Division 1.

Rice has allowed a total of 266 yards via the ground game (133.0 yards per game) and 2 touchdowns by way of the ground game so far this year. They have surrendered 4 touchdowns through the air and 229.0 yards/game, which has them sitting 97th in D-1. Their defense has totaled no fumbles and 1 interception this season. The Owls defense has taken part in 123 plays, which is 55th in the nation. The Owls are allowing 27.5 points per game, which has them 107th in the nation.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Owls +9.5

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