College Football Picks – Houston a Lock Over Rice

If you’re making College Football Picks for Week 7, you may want to lay one down on the Houston versus Rice clash going on the Saturday, as the Cougars are 9 ½ point favourites, but appear to have the talent to walk into Rice and win by more than that. The betting public is reflecting those sentiments as 73% of the College Football Picks have come in on the Cougars. But before you rush out and make your pick, let’s get into the finer details as to why they’re the smart play in this Lone Star State showdown. 

Houston Cougars vs. Rice Owls (Rice Stadium – Houston, TX)
Saturday October 16th – 3:30 PM ET
TV: CSS

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Plain and simple, Houston has just been the better team this year and this spread would be much higher if they hadn’t lost their team leader in senior quarterback Case Keenum to a season ending knee injury against UCLA. It was only a few short months ago that Houston absolutely mutilated Rice towards the end of last season by a 73-14 score, but that was with Keenum at the helm. With their star out, it does make this College Football Pick a little more interesting, as the Cougars have definitely lost their offensive swagger with the Heisman hopeful’s departure.

Still, even with Keenum out, this is a Rice team that has yet to post a home win on the year (0-4). Not only that, but Rice’s loss to UTEP last week marked their fourth straight loss, with their only win on the year came over lowly North Texas. Considering all the facts, it’s hard to back Rice at a spread anything under 20.

College Football Picks Spread:
Houston – PS -9 ½ (-110) ML -400
Cincinnati – PS +9 ½ (-110) ML +320
Total – 63 ½ 

The loss of Keenum can’t be understated as this team led the nation in total offense with him at the helm the past two seasons, but against Rice, they should be able to get enough out of either David Piland or Terrance Broadway to get the College Football Picks cover.

The reason I mentioned both Houston QB’s is because Head Coach Kevin Sumlin hasn’t declared a starter for this one. Both true freshman have had a shot, with Piland playing last week against Mississippi State, a 47-24 loss, he was able to put up 301 yards through the air with a pair of touchdowns, but he also tossed two picks. Broadway got the start against Tulane, a 42-33 win, but his numbers were less impressive as he only put up 174 yards and was sacked five times.

Here are some trends for this College Football Picks contest:

• Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
• Home team is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
• Cougars are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings in Rice.

• Cougars are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a S.U. loss.
• Cougars are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 conference games.
• Cougars are 4-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.

Regardless of who is throwing the ball for Houston, this still has blowout written all over it. I’m saying Terrance Broadway gets the start, and is able to build on his impressive debut two weeks ago.
 
College Football Picks: Houston (-9 ½)