Rice will make its 14th bowl appearance in school history. To illuminate the Owls face Texas State in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl set for December 26. The venue is Gerald J Ford Stadium in Dallas. Now, Rice head coach Mike Bloomgren and his assistants are the third Rice coaching staff to lead the team to two consecutive bowl games. The game is near both fanbases. Hence, Bloomgren said having a great turnout of Rice fans in Dallas could make a College Football Betting difference.
First Responder Bowl Texas State vs. Rice Owls Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Tuesday, December 26, 2023, 5:30 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Gerald J Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas State | -4½ -110 | 60½ -110 | -190 |  |
| Rice Owls | +4½ -110 | 60½ -110 | +160 | |
| ||||
First Responder Bowl Format
The First Responder Bowl, formerly known as the Heart of Dallas Bowl, began in 2011, and the matchup has conference tie-ins with the ACC, AAC, Big 12, and CUSA. The game occurs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in University Park, Texas.
First Responder Bowl Recent Results
In 2021, the First Responder Bowl went off as scheduled. Despite the COVID-19 global pandemic. Air Force posted an impressive 31-28 win over Louisville, a Power 5 team. Correlate, the Falcons used a surprising blend of passing and rushing. Normally, the Falcons are a heavy ground-based attack. The offshore betting favorite cashed for the first time since Utah’s victory in 2017. And then in 2022, Memphis routed Utah State 38-10. MVP QB Seth Henigan of Memphis passed for 284 yards and three TDs.
First Responder Bowl Past Winners
Specifically, there has been only one school play in this bowl game more than once. North Texas defeated UNLV in this game in 2013. But the Mean Green was unable to beat Army in 2016. In turn, the most lopsided game in this bowl’s history was Oklahoma State’s 58-14 beatdown of Purdue at the end of the 2012 season. The Cowboys were 16-point favorites per the college football betting odds. Thus, they had no trouble covering the number. They were up 45-0 before taking their foot off the gas pedal. That allowed the Boilermakers to score a pair of consolation touchdowns.
Boston College and Boise State were supposed to play in the 2018 version of this game. However, that game was called by severe weather in the first quarter. It became the first bowl game canceled since 1941.
First Responder Bowl Matchup
Last game, the Rice Owls won 24-21 against the FAU Owls as 4-point home favorites. The game went under the College Football Betting total of 48. Rice has a record of 6-6 straight up, 8-4 against the spread, and 6-6 over/under the total. Rice ranks 73rd for total offense, 39th for passing, 114th for rushing, and 49th for scoring. Defensively, they rank 57th overall, 54th against the pass, 70th against the rush, and 69th for points allowed. Also, Rice ranks 94th for fewest turnovers lost and 130th for takeaways.
Last game, Texas State won 52-44 against the South Alabama Jaguars as 6-point home dogs. The game went over the total of 58. Texas State has a record of 7-5 straight up, 6-6 against the spread, and 6-6 over/under the total. Texas State ranks 10th for total offense, 23rd for passing, 23rd for rushing, and 17th for scoring. Defensively, they rank 106th overall, 119th against the pass, 80th against the rush, and 118th for points allowed. Also, Texas State ranks 132nd for fewest turnovers lost and 118th for takeaways.
First Responder Bowl Prediction
In this situation, Texas State brings one of the best and most innovative offenses in the country.