North Texas vs Rice Prediction & Betting Tips for Week 10 on 11/7/2026

As Week 10 of the 2026 regular season unfolds, the Rice Owls will travel to Denton, TX, to take on the North Texas Mean Green at DATCU Stadium. This Saturday afternoon game will be aired on ESNU, offering fans a chance to witness the action live. North Texas enters the game with a strong 6-2 record, while Rice looks to improve upon their challenging 1-7 season.

Rice has struggled on the road this season, holding a 0-4 away record and hoping to turn the tide against a formidable conference opponent. The Owls, playing in the American Conference, have faced tough competition throughout the season, reflected in their current standing. Their last five games have been tough battles, with close losses indicating potential for improvement.

On the other hand, the North Texas Mean Green have been dominant at home, maintaining an impressive 4-0 record. Their recent performances have been highlighted by high-scoring games, including a 48-41 win against Florida Atlantic. This game offers North Texas a chance to continue their winning streak and strengthen their position in the conference.

North Texas vs Rice At a Glance (Week 10)

• Game Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 4:00 PM
• Venue: DATCU Stadium in Denton, TX
• TV Channel: ESNU
• Rice Owls Record: 1-7 this season
• North Texas Mean Green Record: 6-2 this season
• Odds: North Texas is favored with a moneyline of -937

North Texas Mean Green Gear Up for Home Game Against Rice Owls

Offensive Powerhouse

North Texas has been a juggernaut on offense, scoring 350 points this season, placing them third in the rankings. With 2,791 passing yards, the team ranks second, showcasing their aerial strength.

The ground game has been effective as well, accumulating 1,550 rushing yards, ranking 31st. Their offense has consistently moved the chains, with 210 first downs, ranking them seventh.

Defensive Challenges

The Mean Green defense has struggled, conceding 255 points, placing them at 128th in the rankings. Despite these challenges, they have excelled in creating turnovers, with six interceptions and six fumbles recovered, both ranked in the top 10.

Their ability to pressure the quarterback is evident with 17 sacks, positioning them at 14th. However, they need to tighten up their defense to support their potent offense better.

Star Players to Watch

Quarterback Tayven Jackson leads the charge with 2,577 passing yards and 22 touchdowns. His ability to minimize mistakes is noteworthy, with only five interceptions this season.

Running back Jahiem White is a key contributor, rushing for 1,054 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns. Wide receiver Justin Stevenson has been a reliable target, with 781 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

Injury Concerns

North Texas faces several injury challenges with key players like Colin Page and Corri Milliner listed as questionable. Defensive players like Caden Jenkins and Zach Johnson are out for the season, which might impact their defensive depth.

Chaston Ditta, the backup quarterback, is also questionable, potentially limiting their options if starter Tayven Jackson requires relief.

Upcoming Challenge

North Texas prepares to host the Rice Owls at DATCU Stadium. With their current form and home advantage, they are positioned as 16.5-point favorites.

The team aims to continue their unbeaten home streak and maintain their winning momentum this season.

North Texas Top Betting Trends

• SU - As Favorite: 25-3 (89.3%) over the last 28 games.
• SU - Home Games: 7-0 (100.0%) over the last 7 games.
• O/U - All Games: 6-0 (100.0%) in the last 6 games.
• O/U - Totals ≥ 50: 6-0 (100.0%) in the last 6 games.
• SU - All Games: 18-4 (81.8%) over the last 22 games.
• O/U - After Win: 17-4 (81.0%) over the last 21 games.
• ATS - After Loss: 4-0 (100.0%) over the last 4 games.
• ATS - Home Games: 9-2 (81.8%) over the last 11 games.

Rice Owls Take on North Texas: An Away Game Preview

Offensive Overview

The Rice Owls have struggled offensively this season, ranking 125th in passing yards with just 667 yards. Their strength lies in the rushing attack, where they are 4th in the nation with 2,184 rushing yards. Despite their ground game success, they have only managed 168 points, ranking 86th.

Jacurri Brown, the starting quarterback, has recorded 478 passing yards and three touchdowns in seven games. His passing has been limited, ranking 161st nationally, but he has only two interceptions, demonstrating careful ball handling. The passing game may need to step up for Rice to overcome their scoring challenges.

Defensive Struggles

Defensively, the Owls have faced difficulties, allowing 254 points, placing them 127th nationally. However, their pass rush has been effective, totaling 12 sacks and ranking 19th. The defense's ability to force turnovers has been a bright spot with three interceptions, ranking 4th.

Rice's defense will need to tighten up, particularly in stopping the pass, as they've allowed significant yardage in recent games. They face the challenge of balancing an aggressive pass rush while maintaining coverage in the secondary.

Key Players to Watch

Running back Tyvonn Byars has been a standout for Rice, rushing for 465 yards and two touchdowns across eight games. His ability to break through defenses will be crucial against North Texas. Meanwhile, wide receiver Jordan Clark leads the receiving corps with 257 yards, although he has yet to score a touchdown.

On special teams, kicker Enock Gota has been reliable, making two field goals and 11 extra points. His accuracy will be vital in a potentially close game against North Texas.

Injury Concerns

Rice's roster has been hit by injuries, with key players like Jacurri Brown and Barry Jackson Jr. listed as questionable. The uncertainty surrounding Brown could impact their offensive strategy if he cannot play.

Defensive player Tariq Watson and running back Quinton Jackson are out for the season, which could further strain their defensive and rushing depth. Managing these injuries will be crucial for the Owls as they aim to turn their season around.

Team Betting Trends

• O/U - As Underdog: Last 13 Games (2025–2026) → 8-5 (61.5%)
• ATS - After Loss: Last 29 Games (2022–2026) → 17-12 (58.6%)
• ATS - As Underdog: Last 30 Games (2023–2026) → 16-14 (53.3%)
• O/U - Away Games: Last 3 Games (2026) → 2-1 (66.7%)
• SU - Totals ≥ 50: Last 30 Games (2022–2026) → 10-20 (33.3%)

North Texas vs Rice Week 10 Prediction: North Texas -16.5

North Texas enters this game with a strong home record, having won all four games at DATCU Stadium this season. They have also been perfect within the conference, showcasing their ability to handle teams like Rice. With a 6-2 overall record, North Texas appears poised to maintain their dominance against a struggling 1-7 Rice team.

The Rice Owls have yet to secure a victory on the road this season, going 0-4, and have struggled in conference play with a 0-4 record. Their offense has been inconsistent, especially in the passing game, ranking 125th. Additionally, their defense has allowed 254 points, ranking them 127th, which could be problematic against North Texas' high-powered offense.

Given the odds, North Texas is favored by 16.5 points, which reflects their superior performance and Rice's struggles. The Mean Green have a robust offense, ranking 3rd in points scored this season, which should enable them to cover the spread comfortably. North Texas also has a significant advantage in first downs and passing yards, which will likely overwhelm Rice.

With North Texas' home advantage and Rice's defensive vulnerabilities, the Mean Green are well-positioned to cover the spread. The historical trends also favor North Texas, as they have covered the spread 75% of the time when favored in their last 16 games. Expect North Texas to extend their winning streak and continue their strong performance at home.

• North Texas vs Rice Prediction: North Texas -16.5
• North Texas vs Rice Score: North Texas 45 - Rice 20

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