Texas Longhorns vs. Rice Owls Prediction & Odds: September 4th 2010

If you’re looking for the best football game line analysis on the internet, you’ve come to the right place! Today, we’re taking a look at Saturday’s crucial tilt for the Texas Longhorns, as they look to get off on the right foot with a beat down of the Rice Owls.
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Texas Longhorns vs. Rice Owls
Game Date/Time: Saturday, September 4th, 3:30 ET
Game Location: Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX
TV/Radio Broadcast: ESPN, ESPN3.com, ESPN Mobile TV, Sirius

NCAA Football Odds: Texas Longhorns (-31) -110 vs. Rice Owls (+31) -110: Over/Under 57

Garrett Gilbert is going to be thrilled that this isn’t the Alabama defense that he is about to run up against. No one should have to be thrown into the fire like Gilbert was last season, as he was given the task of replacing Colt McCoy in the BCS Championship Game against one of the most vaunted defenses that has ever stepped on the field in college football.

Gilbert at least led the Horns on two TD drives, but he also threw four picks and really didn’t leave Texas with much of a chance to claim glory.

Now, the sophomore moves forward, knowing that this team is his for the next three seasons now that McCoy has departed and is playing for the Cleveland Browns.

The question this year will be the defense, and whether names like Sam Acho can figure out how to step up and replace departures such as Earl Thomas and Sergio Kindle, both of which were first round selections in the NFL Draft this year.

For Rice, the good news is that 18 starters return. The bad news is that it only went 2-10 on the season. The Owls have three quarterbacks to choose from, and all three might see time at Reliant Stadium on Saturday. The only scary prospect for the Longhorns is that a starting quarterback has not been named yet for the Owls.

The Owls are still going to need to work on their defense in a big way. They allowed at least 40 points seven times last season, including allowing 63 to Navy and 73 to Houston. Obviously, a number like that being hung by the Longhorns won’t lead to a cover of any sort for an offense that didn’t crack 24 points for the first time last year until November 7th.

NCAA Football Insider Tip: The Longhorns are a stellar 8-2 ATS in their L/10 games against Conference USA foes, while Rice is just 1-7 ATS in its L/8 against the Big XII.

Much of that history between these teams has been one way traffic. Dating back to 2003, the Longhorns have stomped the Owls by the aggregate score of 296-61, or an average final of 49-10. That sounds about right for this one.

Hook ‘em Horns snag the impressive win against the football game line on Saturday.

My NCAA Football Predictions: Texas Longhorns (-31) -110
Source: BetUS Locker Room Featured on: Handicapperspicks.com

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