Next game: at North Texas
North Texas’s best edge on Rice is big plays
Each unit against the one it meets, by national percentile this season. A filled dot is the attack and a ring is the defense it meets; the first name is the attack. Further right is better for both.
Rice offense against North Texas defense
North Texas offense against Rice defense
Percentiles are against all FBS teams this season.
Key stats
Each bar is the team’s national rank as a percentile. A longer bar is better, for defense too.
All 98 stats
FBS rankings · 2026 season · all stats vs 136 FBS programs
| Player | # | G | Cmp/Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | TD | INT | Rate | ZPR | QBR | Adj ANY/A | Sack% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scrambler · +0.05 EPA/play | 11 | 7 | 39 / 82 | 47.6 | 471 | 5.7 | 2 | 2 | 99.0 | 26 | 48.0 | 3.7 | 10.9 | |
Yards by week → ScramblerMakes plays with feet when the pocket collapses. Efficiency still on the rise. Starter — 118 carries and 82 pass attempts in 7 games, fewer passes and runs a game than most FBS quarterbacks who play every week. This week's matchup — QB Brown extends plays on the move until something opens up. Johnson is the one who operates within the system without forcing anything. Season receipt Rush usage59.0% 100th percentile · FBS QBs, min. 80 attempts Completion %50.5% bottom 1th percentile · FBS QBs, min. 80 attempts Trait fingerprint Plays like View Jacurri Brown's full player page | ||||||||||||||
| +0.22 EPA/play | 4 | 4 | 8 / 16 | 50 | 160 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 154.6 | — | 62.9 | — | — | |
Yards by week → | ||||||||||||||
| Player | # | G | Car | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | Stuff% | 10+% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workhorse · +0.06 EPA/play | 26 | 8 | 97 | 465 | 4.8 | 2 | 44 | 14.7 | 10.5 | |
Yards by week → WorkhorseBuilt to take 20+ carries per game. Volume is the value. Starter — 97 carries in 8 games, about as many touches a game as a typical FBS running back who plays every week. This week's matchup — RB Byars just keeps getting the ball, series after series. Turner is the one who hits the crease and outruns the angle. Season receipt Weight217 lb 80th percentile · FBS RBs, min. 40 carries Rush TD rate2.1% bottom 18th percentile · FBS RBs, min. 40 carries Plays like View Tyvonn Byars's full player page | ||||||||||
| Balanced Back · -0.04 EPA/play | 28 | 7 | 74 | 257 | 3.5 | 2 | 16 | 18.9 | 5.4 | |
Yards by week → Balanced backPlays within the scheme — consistent production without a dominant dimension. 74 carries in 7 games. About as many touches a game as a typical FBS running back who plays every week. This week's matchup — RB Jr. does a little of everything without one standout trait. Turner is the one who hits the crease and outruns the angle. Season receipt Yards / carry3.7 bottom 8th percentile · FBS RBs, min. 40 carries Rush TD rate2.7% bottom 24th percentile · FBS RBs, min. 40 carries Plays like View DAndre Hardeman Jr.'s full player page | ||||||||||
| Player | # | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Long | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Possession Receiver · +0.27 EPA/play | 19 | 8 | 20 | 257 | 12.8 | 0 | 38 | |
Yards by week → Possession receiverReliable target who converts on critical downs. Not flashy; consistently productive. 20 catches and 8 carries in 8 games. Fewer catches a game than most FBS receivers who play every week. This week's matchup — WR Clark moves the chains on third down. Richardson is the one who moves the chains on third down. Season receipt Yards / reception13.5 bottom 50th percentile · FBS WRs, min. 12 receptions TD rate0.0% bottom 10th percentile · FBS WRs, min. 12 receptions Trait fingerprint View Jordan Clark's full player page | ||||||||
| -0.07 EPA/play | 81 | 5 | 6 | 111 | 18.5 | 1 | 71 | |
Yards by week → | ||||||||
| +0.30 EPA/play | 7 | 4 | 7 | 102 | 14.6 | 1 | 30 | |
Yards by week → | ||||||||
| +0.40 EPA/play | 6 | 5 | 6 | 64 | 10.7 | 0 | 40 | |
Yards by week → | ||||||||
| Player | # | G | Tot | Solo | TFL | Sack | Hur |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two-Gap Base | 2 | 8 | 31 | 15 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1 |
Two-gap baseStout at the point of attack — steady tackle-for-loss production without a standout pass-rush number. Impact starter — 31 tackles in 8 games, more tackles a game than most FBS defensive linemen who play every week. 276 of 606 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate1.6% bottom 12th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Jo Chavez's full player page | |||||||
| 3-Tech Penetrator | 57 | 8 | 25 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
3-tech penetratorDisruptive interior rusher who lives in the backfield. Starter — 25 tackles in 8 games, about as many tackles a game as a typical FBS defensive lineman who plays every week. 200 of 606 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate8.0% bottom 27th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Aquantis Clemmons's full player page | |||||||
| 3-Tech Penetrator | 94 | 8 | 22 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 |
3-tech penetratorDisruptive interior rusher who lives in the backfield. 22 tackles in 8 games. About as many tackles a game as a typical FBS defensive lineman who plays every week. 200 of 606 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate31.8% 93th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Braden Bays's full player page | |||||||
| Two-Gap Base | 8 | 8 | 21 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Two-gap baseStout at the point of attack — steady tackle-for-loss production without a standout pass-rush number. 21 tackles in 8 games. About as many tackles a game as a typical FBS defensive lineman who plays every week. The most common profile in its group this season — 276 of 606 classified this way. Played in 8 of 10 games this season · freshman · 3-star, 2023 class View Joseph Mutombo's full player page | |||||||
| 3-Tech Penetrator | 96 | 6 | 14 | 6 | 2.5 | 2 | 1 |
3-tech penetratorDisruptive interior rusher who lives in the backfield. 200 of 606 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate17.9% 60th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Dillan Botts's full player page | |||||||
| 3-Tech Penetrator | 16 | 3 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
3-tech penetratorDisruptive interior rusher who lives in the backfield. 200 of 606 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt TFL rate16.7% 55th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Chibby Nwajuaku's full player page | |||||||
| Nose Anchor | 15 | 5 | 12 | 8 | 2.5 | 1 | 0 |
Nose anchorThe heaviest frame on the interior. Sack production is intentionally not the point of this profile. 130 of 606 IDLs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Weight308 lb 80th percentile · FBS interior linemen, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Matthew Aribisala's full player page | |||||||
| 98 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 25 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 11 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Player | # | G | Tot | Solo | Ast | TFL | Sack | PD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage 'Backer | 54 | 8 | 53 | 25 | 28 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Coverage ’backerCarries tight ends and patrols the middle of the field in coverage. Starter — 53 tackles in 8 games, about as many tackles a game as a typical FBS linebacker who plays every week. 89 of 564 LBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt PD rate5.7% 79th percentile · FBS linebackers, min. 15 tackles Plays like View Austin Harnetiaux's full player page | |||||||||
| Balanced Linebacker | 33 | 8 | 52 | 19 | 33 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Balanced linebackerSolid in every phase without a signature dimension. Starter — 52 tackles in 8 games, about as many tackles a game as a typical FBS linebacker who plays every week. The most common profile in its group this season — 330 of 564 classified this way. Played in 8 of 10 games this season · freshman View Stone Combs's full player page | |||||||||
| Balanced Linebacker | 44 | 6 | 29 | 12 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Balanced linebackerSolid in every phase without a signature dimension. 330 of 564 LBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Tackle volume29 bottom 31th percentile · FBS linebackers, min. 15 tackles TFL rate3.4% bottom 21th percentile · FBS linebackers, min. 15 tackles Trait fingerprint Plays like View Cooper King's full player page | |||||||||
| 14 | 6 | 13 | 4 | 9 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 56 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 1.5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | |
| 13 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0 | |
| Player | # | G | Tot | PD | INT | TFL | Sack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Safety | 7 | 8 | 60 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
Box safetyLives near the line of scrimmage as a de facto extra linebacker. Impact starter — 60 tackles in 8 games, more tackles a game than nearly every FBS defensive lineman who plays every week. 150 of 657 Ss we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Tackle volume60 99th percentile · FBS safeties, min. 15 tackles Plays like View AJ Brown's full player page | |||||||
| Rover | 3 | 8 | 44 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
RoverHits like a linebacker and still takes the ball away. Starter — 44 tackles in 8 games, about as many tackles a game as a typical FBS defensive back who plays every week. 33 of 657 Ss we've classified this way this season. Season receipt PD rate9.1% 57th percentile · FBS safeties, min. 15 tackles Plays like View Koa Akui's full player page | |||||||
| Perimeter Tackler | 12 | 8 | 39 | 2 | 0 | 2.5 | 0 |
Perimeter tacklerTargeted often and asked to tackle in space on the perimeter. Starter — 39 tackles in 8 games, about as many tackles a game as a typical FBS defensive back who plays every week. 36 of 244 CBs we've classified this way this season. Season receipt Tackle volume39 98th percentile · FBS corners, min. 10 tackles Plays like View Jamir Benjamin's full player page | |||||||
| Cover Corner | 10 | 8 | 27 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Cover cornerSteady in coverage; doesn't get beat deep and rarely gives up the big play. 27 tackles in 8 games. Fewer tackles a game than most FBS defensive backs who play every week. The most common profile in its group this season — 138 of 244 classified this way. Played in 8 of 10 games this season · freshman View Kyren Condoll's full player page | |||||||
| — | 4 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 2.5 | 0 | |
| 18 | 6 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 20 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Player | # | G | FG M/A | FG% | XP M/A | Pts | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | 4 | 3/5 | 60 | 10/11 | 19 | 45 | |
| 28 | 4 | 2/6 | 33.3 | 11/11 | 17 | 26 |
| Player | # | G | No | Yds | Avg | Long | In20 | TB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cannon | 29 | 8 | 29 | 1313 | 45.3 | 58 | 5 | 2 |
Net average is unavailable — CFBD's punting feed carries gross yards only, with no return-yardage or touchback deduction.
| Player | # | G | No | Yds | Avg | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| +0.44 EPA/play | 13 | 7 | 6 | 81 | 13.5 | 0 | 25 |
How scary each game got
Rice lost at Florida Atlantic after being 88% to win; the closest win was against Houston Christian, down to 46%
Tap a game for its score and win chances.
Each bar runs from the lowest to the highest chance our model gave Rice during that game; the thick mark is where it started. Numbers are the game week.
Stat leaders
2026 stat leaders · Rice
through 8 games
2026 stat leaders · RiceAJ Brown leads Rice with 60 tackles through 8 games.
Roster
Roster
2026+12 more
Recruiting and the portal: top commits · who's gone and who's back
How they play
Rice fields a struggling run-heavy offense behind a porous defense, though it gives up the big play.
Percentile vs all FBS, based on this season's per-game production. Bar = where this team ranks — right is better.
Player percentiles
Rice reads strongest in rushing EPA (top 49%) and explosive plays (top 52%); the crux lives in field position (O), where Rice sits at the 0th percentile.
Offense · strengths lead
Defense · higher bar = harder to play against
Hidden math · special situations
Home-field advantage · 2018–present · FBS opponents
Rice is worth +2.9 points more at home than on the road.
Bottom third of FBS, 29th percentile of 133 programs
35% at home, 21% away against FBS opponents since 2018 (15-28 home, 10-37 away). Interval ±3.6.
The stadium and how the home edge is measured
Our model gives every stadium the same flat 2.3-point home edge. The books use about 3. Per-team versions were tested and did not hold up (why). Against the closing line, Rice has beaten the number by −0.5 more at home than away over 97 games. That is inside the ±6.7 that many games can resolve, so the results cannot tell this stadium from the flat number. That is the honest reading of nearly every FBS stadium.
Rice Stadium seats 47,000 and has averaged 42% full (19,747, 29 games reported). Visitors cover a median 378 miles to get here since 2018 — 61st-shortest of 135 FBS venues, inside the ordinary range. For the home side it is genuinely home ground: 27% of the 2026 roster (27 of 100 located players) grew up inside 100 miles of the stadium.
Edge = half the gap between average home margin and average road margin, FBS opponents only, non-neutral games since 2018; the interval is 95%. Market line: closing spread, seasons with lines on file. Trip length is straight-line miles from the visiting team's campus to the venue, measured across all 50 home games since 2018.
More in this tab
How they play
Usage splits
How the players get used
From the 2025 season's play-by-play
- Deep threatAaron Turner is used almost exclusively underneath: a low share of his targets are downfield shots.
- Garbage timeQuinton Jackson does not see a usage spike in garbage time: his workload holds steady regardless of score.
Position battles
RB room
The carries are split. The job isn’t.
Tyvonn Byars and DAndre Hardeman Jr. split the carries (94/166 vs 72/166) -- but the job isn't split the same way. Tyvonn Byars produces in bigger chunks.
Scheme claims
Team identity · competitive snaps only
How Rice actually scores
18th percentile quality, 87th percentile boom-dependency. Garbage time excluded from both axes — the same correction that changes the Q4 story below.
View all FBS teams as a table
| Team | Quality percentile | Boom-share percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Air Force | 76th | 3rd |
| Akron | 9th | 90th |
| Alabama | 82nd | 22nd |
| App State | 41st | 48th |
| Arizona | 91st | 16th |
| Arizona State | 20th | 83rd |
| Arkansas | 7th | 93rd |
| Arkansas State | 60th | 32nd |
| Army | 95th | 10th |
| Auburn | 34th | 59th |
| BYU | 83rd | 17th |
| Ball State | 32nd | 72nd |
| Baylor | 36th | 63rd |
| Boise State | 96th | 4th |
| Boston College | 20th | 80th |
| Buffalo | 8th | 88th |
| Central Michigan | 6th | 96th |
| Cincinnati | 88th | 15th |
| Clemson | 10th | 92nd |
| Coastal Carolina | 49th | 57th |
| Colorado | 15th | 86th |
| Colorado State | 88th | 30th |
| Delaware | 63rd | 40th |
| Duke | 74th | 8th |
| East Carolina | 24th | 77th |
| Eastern Michigan | 14th | 80th |
| Florida | 75th | 37th |
| Florida Atlantic | 72nd | 25th |
| Florida International | 2nd | 98th |
| Florida State | 64th | 44th |
| Fresno State | 56th | 52nd |
| Georgia | 92nd | 11th |
| Georgia Southern | 52nd | 40th |
| Georgia State | 77th | 36th |
| Georgia Tech | 30th | 70th |
| Hawai'i | 12th | 88th |
| Houston | 89th | 2nd |
| Illinois | 70th | 38th |
| Indiana | 85th | 18th |
| Iowa | 52nd | 53rd |
| Iowa State | 43rd | 62nd |
| Jacksonville State | 62nd | 41st |
| James Madison | 58th | 35th |
| Kansas | 28th | 66th |
| Kansas State | 48th | 44th |
| Kennesaw State | 23rd | 79th |
| Kentucky | 71st | 21st |
| LSU | 86th | 9th |
| Liberty | 78th | 29th |
| Louisiana | 27th | 69th |
| Louisiana Tech | 60th | 47th |
| Louisville | 94th | 19th |
| Marshall | 36th | 61st |
| Maryland | 17th | 85th |
| Massachusetts | 38th | 60th |
| Memphis | 87th | 20th |
| Miami | 100th | 0th |
| Miami (OH) | 68th | 31st |
| Michigan | 25th | 71st |
| Middle Tennessee | 37th | 60th |
| Minnesota | 4th | 95th |
| Mississippi State | 35th | 65th |
| Missouri | 54th | 49th |
| Missouri State | 40th | 64th |
| NC State | 69th | 28th |
| Navy | 57th | 51st |
| Nebraska | 59th | 32nd |
| Nevada | 1st | 99th |
| New Mexico | 39th | 68th |
| North Carolina | 48th | 45th |
| North Dakota State | 31st | 64th |
| North Texas | 99th | 1st |
| Northern Illinois | 12th | 89th |
| Northwestern | 93rd | 6th |
| Notre Dame | 97th | 5th |
| Ohio | 67th | 43rd |
| Ohio State | 79th | 23rd |
| Oklahoma State | 76th | 14th |
| Ole Miss | 80th | 8th |
| Oregon | 28th | 72nd |
| Oregon State | 92nd | 13th |
| Penn State | 47th | 48th |
| Pittsburgh | 44th | 50th |
| Purdue | 65th | 34th |
| Rice | 18th | 87th |
| Rutgers | 32nd | 76th |
| SMU | 81st | 16th |
| San Diego State | 5th | 94th |
| San José State | 13th | 84th |
| South Alabama | 64th | 27th |
| South Carolina | 55th | 54th |
| South Florida | 42nd | 56th |
| Southern Miss | 3rd | 97th |
| Stanford | 53rd | 55th |
| Syracuse | 24th | 74th |
| TCU | 21st | 75th |
| Temple | 56th | 56th |
| Tennessee | 45th | 42nd |
| Texas | 11th | 91st |
| Texas A&M | 16th | 78th |
| Texas State | 90th | 12th |
| Texas Tech | 50th | 46th |
| Toledo | 84th | 24th |
| Troy | 8th | 92nd |
| Tulane | 33rd | 73rd |
| Tulsa | 68th | 28th |
| UAB | 16th | 81st |
| UCF | 19th | 82nd |
| UCLA | 61st | 36th |
| UConn | 84th | 26th |
| UNLV | 44th | 67th |
| USC | 80th | 12th |
| UTSA | 72nd | 20th |
| Utah | 96th | 7th |
| Utah State | 0th | 100th |
| Vanderbilt | 26th | 76th |
| Virginia | 51st | 39th |
| Virginia Tech | 66th | 33rd |
| Wake Forest | 98th | 4th |
| Washington | 40th | 58th |
| West Virginia | 73rd | 24th |
| Western Kentucky | 4th | 96th |
| Western Michigan | 29th | 68th |
| Wisconsin | 22nd | 84th |
| Wyoming | 46th | 52nd |
Rice’s 4th-quarter offense, before and after garbage time
Raw Q4 EPA/play ranks 10th percentile in FBS. Strip out snaps taken with a blowout margin and it climbs to the 24th — the correction is the finding, not a footnote.
Standard downs vs. passing downs
Does Rice hold up once the down-and-distance turns against them?
59th percentile success on standard downs, 14th on passing downs — a 45-point gap between the two.
View all FBS teams as a table
| Team | Standard-downs percentile | Passing-downs percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Air Force | 98th | 23rd |
| Akron | 58th | 34th |
| Alabama | 77th | 57th |
| App State | 33rd | 49th |
| Arizona | 76th | 94th |
| Arizona State | 38th | 61st |
| Arkansas | 71st | 24th |
| Arkansas State | 85th | 59th |
| Army | 93rd | 58th |
| Auburn | 14th | 69th |
| BYU | 86th | 35th |
| Ball State | 31st | 52nd |
| Baylor | 15th | 46th |
| Boise State | 77th | 92nd |
| Boston College | 63rd | 28th |
| Bowling Green | 43rd | 21st |
| Buffalo | 9th | 11th |
| California | 11th | 20th |
| Central Michigan | 36th | 9th |
| Charlotte | 18th | 41st |
| Cincinnati | 68th | 83rd |
| Clemson | 7th | 39th |
| Coastal Carolina | 23rd | 64th |
| Colorado | 16th | 65th |
| Colorado State | 66th | 95th |
| Delaware | 59th | 64th |
| Duke | 21st | 67th |
| East Carolina | 37th | 19th |
| Eastern Michigan | 16th | 30th |
| Florida | 61st | 70th |
| Florida Atlantic | 67th | 87th |
| Florida International | 20th | 53rd |
| Florida State | 30th | 90th |
| Fresno State | 25th | 84th |
| Gardner-Webb | 5th | 23rd |
| Georgia | 98th | 89th |
| Georgia Southern | 60th | 71st |
| Georgia State | 68th | 66th |
| Georgia Tech | 53rd | 40th |
| Hawai'i | 48th | 29th |
| Houston | 87th | 99th |
| Illinois | 73rd | 91st |
| Indiana | 55th | 44th |
| Iowa | 79th | 13th |
| Iowa State | 18th | 31st |
| Jacksonville State | 82nd | 80th |
| James Madison | 45th | 77th |
| Kansas | 52nd | 18th |
| Kansas State | 64th | 68th |
| Kennesaw State | 61st | 16th |
| Kent State | 5th | 21st |
| Kentucky | 90th | 51st |
| LSU | 86th | 98th |
| Liberty | 93rd | 78th |
| Louisiana | 36th | 66th |
| Louisiana Tech | 26th | 79th |
| Louisville | 95th | 72nd |
| Maine | 0th | 86th |
| Marshall | 69th | 32nd |
| Maryland | 34th | 26th |
| Massachusetts | 35th | 38th |
| Memphis | 92nd | 93rd |
| Mercyhurst | 2nd | 34th |
| Miami | 99th | 95th |
| Miami (OH) | 50th | 43rd |
| Michigan | 10th | 89th |
| Michigan State | 23rd | 55th |
| Middle Tennessee | 27th | 64th |
| Minnesota | 32nd | 4th |
| Mississippi State | 66th | 59th |
| Missouri | 34th | 41st |
| Missouri State | 52nd | 30th |
| NC State | 62nd | 77th |
| Navy | 89th | 17th |
| Nebraska | 46th | 85th |
| Nevada | 28th | 27th |
| New Mexico | 55th | 48th |
| New Mexico State | 14th | 36th |
| Norfolk State | 7th | 0th |
| North Carolina | 89th | 73rd |
| North Dakota State | 30th | 45th |
| North Texas | 95th | 84th |
| Northern Illinois | 51st | 14th |
| Northwestern | 88th | 88th |
| Notre Dame | 100th | 43rd |
| Ohio | 82nd | 42nd |
| Ohio State | 84th | 80th |
| Oklahoma | 4th | 50th |
| Oklahoma State | 96th | 86th |
| Old Dominion | 1st | 36th |
| Ole Miss | 81st | 94th |
| Oregon | 39th | 26th |
| Oregon State | 97th | 70th |
| Penn State | 20th | 47th |
| Pittsburgh | 65th | 50th |
| Purdue | 57th | 82nd |
| Rice | 59th | 14th |
| Robert Morris | 2nd | 5th |
| Rutgers | 42nd | 81st |
| SMU | 91st | 82nd |
| Sacramento State | 13th | 6th |
| Sam Houston | 11th | 37th |
| San Diego State | 8th | 54th |
| San José State | 17th | 2nd |
| South Alabama | 44th | 74th |
| South Carolina | 70th | 56th |
| South Florida | 84th | 57th |
| Southern Miss | 48th | 7th |
| Stanford | 40th | 9th |
| Syracuse | 57th | 39th |
| TCU | 70th | 10th |
| Temple | 50th | 68th |
| Tennessee | 75th | 12th |
| Texas | 27th | 61st |
| Texas A&M | 46th | 55th |
| Texas State | 74th | 100th |
| Texas Tech | 64th | 76th |
| Toledo | 73rd | 52nd |
| Troy | 39th | 15th |
| Tulane | 12th | 8th |
| Tulsa | 49th | 7th |
| UAB | 24th | 62nd |
| UCF | 29th | 45th |
| UCLA | 80th | 60th |
| UConn | 72nd | 73rd |
| UL Monroe | 47th | 11th |
| UNLV | 41st | 19th |
| USC | 79th | 97th |
| UT Martin | 6th | 3rd |
| UTEP | 9th | 1st |
| UTSA | 91st | 33rd |
| Utah | 94th | 98th |
| Utah State | 3rd | 76th |
| Vanderbilt | 41st | 32nd |
| Virginia | 83rd | 2nd |
| Virginia Tech | 43rd | 91st |
| Wake Forest | 75th | 96th |
| Washington | 56th | 16th |
| Washington State | 19th | 5th |
| West Virginia | 54th | 75th |
| Western Kentucky | 22nd | 25th |
| Western Michigan | 32nd | 27th |
| Wisconsin | 25th | 22nd |
| Wyoming | 78th | 48th |
Rice by half
1st-half offense ranks 18th percentile in FBS; 2nd-half, 61st — competitive snaps only, garbage time excluded from both halves.
How much of Rice’s number is the schedule?
Raw EPA/play through week 10 is 0.02; 20th percentile once opponent strength is stripped out, it's 0.00. The widest gap came in week 2: 0.23 raw vs. 0.01 adjusted.
Tendency drift
How Rice’s current staff calls plays, year over year
Pass defense by zone
What this team throws, and gives up, by depth.
On short throws (≤19 air yards), Rice’s passing game completes a completion rate below the FBS mean (62.1% vs 67.0% league-wide, shrunk toward the mean for its 80-play sample) — mid-pack, 11 of 136 qualifying offenses.
On short throws (≤19 air yards), Rice’s defense allows a completion rate above the FBS mean (70.7% vs 66.3% league-wide, shrunk toward the mean for its 179-play sample) — most generous, 136 of 137 qualifying defenses.
We won’t show a deep-ball (20+ air yards) leaderboard here, on either side of the ball: even a full season of charted plays gives most teams well under 30 deep attempts — too thin to tell a real tendency from noise, so we won’t guess. Same refusal for yards-after-catch allowed and where a team’s attempts land by zone: both measured and both came back statistically indistinguishable from season-to-season noise.
Havoc & trenches
Disruption, run-blocking, and down-and-distance efficiency.
Turnover luck
15% recovery rate on the fumbles they've forced — below the ~48% league baseline.
2 of 13 forced fumbles recovered; 8 of 17 own fumbles recovered themselves, 2026 only.
Takeaways
12% of tipped/broken-up passes have turned into picks — below the ~18% league average, and due for more.
3 interceptions of 25 disrupted passes (22 deflected, 3 intercepted), 2026 only.
Penalties
42 penalties committed, 33 drawn on opponents — ceding 75 yards of field position.
367 penalty yards committed vs. 292 drawn on opponents, 2026 season total.
Ratings and comparisons
Ratings
Comparable teams
Most similar programs · Rice
Most similar programs · RiceReads like
Matched on how the programs are built — tier, prestige band, kind of fanbase, conference, voice and roster size — not on this season's stats. A calibration, not a prediction.
Weather
Rice Stadium, Houston, TX
Usual during the game around Nov 13: 66°, between 58° and 76° in about 7 in 10 games (27 games since 2016).
Road games since 2016: the middle game was 70°, and 8 in 10 ran between 47° and 84° (43 of 55 road games, at stadiums we cover).
What a usual Saturday feels like here, by kickoff time
Airport readings near each stadium during the game, not on the field. How we measure
Weather observations: National Weather Service, through the Iowa Environmental Mesonet at Iowa State University. Rain: NOAA MRMS radar and CoCoRaHS volunteer gauges (CC BY 4.0). Game data: CollegeFootballData.com.