Texas State Earns Call in First Responder Bowl
This season’s First Responder Bowl is set to go down the day after Christmas in Dallas, Texas. The Texas State Bobcats, NCAAF lines favorites who finished out the regular season with a 52-44 win over South Alabama, square off against the Rice Owls, who earned bowl eligibility after beating Florida Atlantic by 24-21 in their season closer. Who will come out on top?
As we wait for game time, let’s break down our picks for best college football bets for this all-Texas First Responder Bowl.
Texas State vs Rice Game Information
The 7-5 Texas State Bobcats, who are entering the game as 5.5-point NCAAF odds favorites over the 6-6 Rice Owls will be looking to finish their season on a high by taking home the First Responder Bowl trophy.
With the game slated to start at 5:30 PM ET, the day after Christmas, which Texas school will leave Gerald J. Ford stadium with the Bowl “W?”
- Game: Texas State vs Rice
- Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, Texas
- Day/Time: Tuesday, Dec 26, 5:30 PM ET
- Texas State vs Rice Live Stream:ESPN+/FUBO
Texas State vs Rice Odds and Spreads
Texas State vs Rice Betting Trends
- Texas State is entering this game with a 5-6-0 ATS record.
- Rice holds a 7-3-1 ATS record this season entering this game.
- Texas State has a 1-2 ATS record when being pitted as 4.5-point favorites this year.
- Rice holds a 4-1 ATS record when pitted as the underdog by 4.5 points or more.
- Texas State has only gone over the set total in four out of 11 games this season.
- Opposing teams have hit the over against Rice in five of the team’s eleven games this season.
- Texas State’s offense is ranked as the 14th best in the FBS this season with 463.5 YPG.
- Rice’s defense ranks 57th in the FBS allowing 370 yards per game.
Texas State vs Rice Over/Under Pick
BetUS sportsbook, aka your favorite place to make bank wagering on sporting events, has the over for the First Responder Bowl standing at 59½ points. Considering Texas State averages 36 points per game, and Rice holds its own with an average of 30.3 points ppg, betting the over in the total is a no-brainer.
In what should be a high-scoring throwdown between two of the country’s better offenses, Texas State is 17th and Rice is 49th, my first of four NCAAF predictions for this game say take the over and don’t look back.
Texas State vs Rice ATS Pick
There’s a clear reason Texas State is a 5½-point college football lines favorite. The Bobcats have a better overall offense, and should have no issues tearing the Owls’ secondary into pieces.
I expect there to be many points on the scoreboard, and with that said, taking Texas State as your ATS pick to cover and win by at least a TD is the way to go here.
Texas State vs Rice Moneyline Pick
Slated as the favorite in the moneyline at -220 Texas State holds a rather visible advantage over Rice that should not be passed up. With all college football betting signs pointing toward the Bobcats being more than ready to take the First Responder Bowl, if you want to place a couple of bucks on the game’s ML, take Texas State.
Texas State vs Rice Team Prop
Looking for an early college football prop pick to take for the First Responder Bowl? With all signs pointing for this to be an all-out offensive battle between both squads, taking our game prop of any team to score 40+ points slated at +149 is a must, especially if you’re a Texas State fan.
Questions Of The Day
Which player has the potential to be the X-factor and significantly influence the game's outcome?
Texas State QB T.J. Finley stands out as the player with the most potential to be the X-factor in the First Responder Bowl game outcome.
What prop bets offer the best value for the Texas State vs Rice matchup?
AnyTexas State offense NCAAF prop bets are sure to offer the best value for the upcoming First Responder Bowl.
The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.
