Rice Owls vs Florida Atlantic Owls prediction: FAU wins, betting pick is Pass
Florida Atlantic will beat Rice 31-24, with Caden Veltkamp’s sustained passing accuracy providing the strongest reason to favor FAU. Jacurri Brown’s explosive rushing gives Rice a credible answer against a team coming off a 56-point defensive concession. At Florida Atlantic -8 and a total of 52.5, neither supplied price offers a convincing betting edge. The official recommendation is Pass.
Rice Owls vs Florida Atlantic Owls prediction and best bet
Florida Atlantic gets the winner pick because Veltkamp brings more than one productive afternoon into this matchup. Following the Oct. 17 loss at Army, he had completed more than 65% of his passes in six consecutive games. That consistency gives FAU a reasonable foundation for the projected 31-24 victory, even after a heavy defeat.
The best betting decision is Pass. Brown gives Rice enough explosive rushing potential to threaten an eight-point spread, while Rice’s scoreless second half against Tulsa makes the underdog difficult to endorse. The scoring forecast also sits only 2.5 points above the total. Neither margin is persuasive enough to turn this low-confidence forecast into an official wager.
Odds, game time and how to watch
Kickoff: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at 11 a.m. Central. Rice’s Oct. 21 team report identifies Florida Atlantic as its next road opponent.
SportsJaw odds: Rice Owls +9.5 (-110); Florida Atlantic Owls -9.5 (-110). Moneyline: Rice Owls +275; Florida Atlantic Owls -340. Total: Over 55 (-111); Under 55 (-105).
Moneyline: Rice +269; Florida Atlantic -332.
Total: Over 52.5 (-112); Under 52.5 (-108).