Rice vs. Air Force
Sat., Dec. 29 – 11:45 a.m. ET, ESPN
Fort Worth, Texas – Amon G. Carter Stadium
It’s true. Rice once played in the Cotton and Sugar Bowls – a half-century ago.
Now on to current events. With a kickoff time better suited for brunch, the Owls (6-6) take on the Air Force Falcons (6-6).
Bowl games don’t come as easily for Rice these days. This one certainly didn’t. Rice needed victories in five of its last six games to become bowl eligible. Rice is the nation’s 29th-best rushing team and three players have accumulated 500-yard seasons.
That sounds pretty good.
Until you examine the statistics of Air Force, the nation’s second-best rushing team (328.8 yards per game). The Falcons defeated Hawaii 21-7 … and didn’t even attempt a pass. Not one.
Air Force coach Troy Calhoun needs a victory for his sixth consecutive winning season, a nice accomplishment at a military academy.
Opening point spread: Rice by 1
The pick: Air Force 28, Rice 14
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