For the first time this season, Navy is having to respond from a loss. And it wasn’t a very close loss, either.
After starting the season by winning their first six games, the Midshipmen were defeated by Notre Dame 51-14 last weekend. That led to Navy dropping out of the Associated Press Top 25.
But Navy still has a chance to win the AAC and even be a Group of Five team to make the College Football Playoff.
Navy (6-1, 4-0 AAC) will have to beat Rice (2-6, 1-3) to remain in a good position going into the rest of the season.
Navy vs. Rice Betting Odds
Navy is a -11.5 college football betting odds favorite against Rice, with the Over/Under being 48.5.
The moneyline for Navy is -400, while it’s +310 for Rice.
Navy vs. Rice On TV
The matchup between Navy and Rice will be televised on ESPN2.
The game will kick off at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 2. The contest is taking place at Rice Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Navy vs. Rice Prediction
I predict Navy will win and cover the spread at -11.5. I also project the game will go Over 48.5 total points.
Some people, including myself, thought that Navy’s game against Notre Dame last week would be closer than it was. I think the Midshipmen will be motivated to prove to the world that they are better than that final score indicated.
And this game, on the road against Rice, is the perfect time to do that. Rice recently fired head coach Mike Bloomgren and will have to make adjustments without him. I don’t think the Owls are going to be fully prepared to take on a program like Navy.
I’m anticipating Midshipmen quarterback Blake Horvath will have a great day both as a passer and a runner, and that Navy will ultimately put up 40-plus points against Rice.
