Expert score predictions for No. 11 Texas vs. Rice in Week 1
No. 11 Texas opens the 2023 college football season against the Rice Owls in Austin on Saturday, Sept. 2.
The hype surrounding Texas’ football program this offseason has been at an all-time high. The Longhorns are the preseason favorite to win the Big 12 for the first time in over a decade, and some national media networks have faith that Steve Sarkisian’s squad can crash the College Football Playoff.
It’s easy to see why. Texas has the talent, experience and depth at just about every position across the board. Sarkisian’s staff has done an incredible job on the recruiting trail the past few cycles and the consistency with the coaching staff plays a larger role than some may think.
Texas is clearly the overwhelming favorite over Rice this weekend, but the score predictions vary. Some feel the Owls won’t put up a single point on Texas, while others feel Rice quarterback JT Daniels is talented enough to reach the end zone a couple times.
Here’s a look at expert score predictions for Texas vs. Rice.
Heartland College Sports
Prediction: Texas 55, Rice 17
This game should start getting ugly before halftime if Texas is locked in, and even if they aren’t, Rice just doesn’t have the depth to hang with Texas for long. If it’s a two-score game going into the half, second-half fatigue will eventually wear the Owls down, allowing the Longhorns to pull away and win this game by several scores. My expectation is for Quinn Ewers to look sharp and be seated after one drive in the third quarter. Texas should win this game by a wide margin, potentially setting up a Top 10 showdown with Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide next week. – Bryan Clinton
Inside Texas
Eric Nahlin: Texas 49, Rice 10
Justin Wells: Texas 49, Rice 13
Ian Boyd: Texas 56, Rice 10
Joe Cook: Texas 56, Rice 17
Bobby Burton: Texas 49, Rice 7
Gerry Hamilton: Texas 56, Rice 13
Paul Wadlington: Texas 52, Rice 7
College Football News
Prediction: Texas 52, Rice 16
Rice has the parts to be great against the okay AAC teams, but once again it’ll be out of its depth against the stars on the schedule. Texas will need a little bit to get going, and then the avalanche will come. – Pete Fiutak
Horns247
Jordan Scruggs: Texas 48, Rice 10
Chip Brown: Texas 52, Rice 3
Eric Henry: Texas 45, Rice 6
Jeff Howe: Texas 52, Rice 10
Hank South: Texas 45, Rice 10
Tommy Yarrish: Texas 56, Rice 3
HornSports
Jameson McCausland: Texas 45, Rice 10
Aaron Carrara: Texas 63, Rice 13
Todd Glawson: Texas 52, Rice 10
Devon Messinger: Texas 55, Rice 3
Ryan Swantkowski: Texas 48, Rice 13
Mitch Lovell: Texas 63, Rice 10
Dylan DeRaud: Texas 49, Rice 7
Longhorns Wire
Kevin Borba: Texas 45, Rice 0
Joey Hickey: Texas 62, Rice 10
Cami Griffin: Texas 51, Rice 13
