How to Watch Texas State Bobcats vs. Rice Owls – December 26

By Lineups Staff | Dec 25, 2023, 6:08pm

The Texas State Bobcats are 3.5-point favorites as they hit the field against the Rice Owls in the Servpro First Responder Bowl on December 26, 2023 at 5:30 PM ET on ESPN. The game’s over/under is 59.

The matchup featuring the Bobcats and Owls will be available on ESPN.

Contents

Bobcats vs. Owls Game Info

Date: Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Time: 5:30 PM ET
Channel: ESPN
Livestream: Stream NCAA football on Fubo and ESPN+
City: University Park, Texas
Venue: Gerald J. Ford Stadium

Bobcats Insights

The Bobcats rank 107th in total defense this season (415.3 yards allowed per game), but they’ve been shining on the offensive side of the ball, ranking 10th-best in the FBS with 473.0 total yards per game.
The Bobcats have struggled defensively, ranking 16th-worst in the FBS (33.8 points allowed per game) this season. However, they rank 17th-best on the other side of the ball, averaging 36.0 points per game.
While Texas State ranks 14th-worst in the FBS in passing defense with 256.4 passing yards allowed per game, it’s been a different situation on offense, as the offensive unit ranks 23rd-best in the FBS (280.8 passing yards per game).
The Bobcats have the 80th-ranked defense this year in terms of rushing yards (158.8 rushing yards allowed per game), and they’ve been better on the other side of the ball, ranking 20th-best with 192.2 rushing yards per game.
Texas State has struggled on defense in terms of third-down efficiency, ranking fourth-worst in the FBS (48.0% third-down conversion rate) this season. With the ball, however, the Bobcats ranks 25th-best, averaging a 44.9% third-down conversion rate.
The Bobcats have the 105th-ranked turnover margin in college football at -5, forcing 11 turnovers (89th in the FBS) while turning it over 16 times (101st in the FBS).

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Owls Insights

With 377.9 total yards per game on the offensive side of the ball, Rice ranks 75th in the FBS in 2023. Defensively, it ranks 57th, giving up 372.1 total yards per contest.
Rice is generating 30.3 points per contest on offense this season (48th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is surrendering 26.7 points per contest (68th-ranked) on defense.
With 264.2 passing yards per game on offense, the Owls rank 37th in the FBS. On defense, they rank 54th, surrendering 217.2 passing yards per game.
Rice’s running game has not been getting things done, ranking 21st-worst in the FBS with 113.8 rushing yards per game. It has been more effective defensively, surrendering 154.9 rushing yards per contest (71st-ranked).
In terms of third-down efficiency, the Owls rank 67th in the FBS (38.8% third-down conversion rate) and 46th defensively (36.6% third-down rate allowed).
Rice sports a -5 turnover margin this season, which ranks 105th in the FBS.

Bobcats Leaders

TJ Finley has 3,188 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions this year. He has completed 68.6% of his passes, averaging 265.7 yards per game and 8.3 per attempt.
He has also rushed for 92 yards (seventh on the Bobcats) and added five touchdowns on the ground, while averaging 7.7 rushing yards per game.
Ismail Mahdi has racked up 1,209 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns (100.8 yards per game across 12 games). His 6.1 yards per attempt rank 37th in college football.
He has hauled in 18 passes (on zero targets) for 177 receiving yards with one touchdown. He’s averaging 14.8 receiving yards and 1.5 catches per game.
In the passing attack, Joey Hobert, has racked up 847 receiving yards and eight touchdowns after hauling in 71 balls on zero targets. Per game, he’s averaging 84.7 yards and 7.1 receptions through 10 games.

Owls Leaders

Luke McCaffrey has registered 963 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns (seventh in the FBS) on 68 receptions, while being targeted zero times this season.
In nine games, JT Daniels has 2,443 passing yards, while throwing 21 touchdowns against seven interceptions and completing 63.1% of his passes.
Dean Connors has rushed for five touchdowns this year, and has totaled 707 rushing yards (58.9 per game and 6.7 per carry).
Connors’ offensive output includes 42 receptions (3.5 per game) on zero targets for 395 yards (32.9 per game) and three receiving touchdowns.