Home / Sports / Texas Showdown: Rice vs. Texas State in Armed Forces Bowl Rematch
Texas Showdown: Rice vs. Texas State in Armed Forces Bowl Rematch
2 Jan
Summary
- Rice faces Texas State in the 2026 Armed Forces Bowl, a rematch of a 2023 game.
- Texas State is a 16.5-point favorite, aiming for their fourth consecutive win.
- The game's over/under is set at 55.5 points with projections favoring the over.
An all-Texas duel is set for the 2026 Armed Forces Bowl as the Rice Owls face the Texas State Bobcats. Rice (5-7) secured bowl eligibility with a less-than-stellar record and enters the game on a two-game losing streak, most recently suffering a significant defeat. Conversely, Texas State (6-6) has found momentum, winning their last three contests, including a dominant offensive performance in their most recent game.
The upcoming bowl game is a familiar encounter, serving as a rematch of the 2023 First Responder Bowl, where Texas State emerged victorious by a 45-21 margin. Rice will be notably without their starting quarterback, who has entered the transfer portal, adding another layer of challenge for the Owls. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET from Fort Worth, Texas, with Texas State positioned as a considerable 16.5-point favorite according to the latest odds.
Projections from the SportsLine Model indicate a high-scoring affair, favoring the over on the 55.5-point total. This prediction is supported by both teams' recent trends, with Texas State scoring over 30 points in 10 games and Rice seeing an increase in combined scores over the latter half of their season. The model simulates the game extensively, anticipating a combined score of 66 points, suggesting an exciting offensive showcase for fans.
