The last time the two teams faced off was Texas State’s first bowl appearance in 2023. The Bobcats came out on top in the First Responder’s Bowl 45-21, but much has changed since then.
After two years of grabbing quarterbacks from the transfer portal, Kinne tabbed redshirt freshman Brad Jackson as the starter. It immediately paid dividends, as Jackson ran for 16 touchdowns while completing 71.5% of his passes for 3,050 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’ll return as the Bobcats’ starter next season, along with top wide receivers Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn Jr.
Rice earned a bowl bid after eligible teams opted out of postseason play. This is the Owls’ 15th bowl game appearance in their history and third in the last four years.
Here are the betting lines for Texas State’s matchup with Rice.
Spread: Texas State -10.5 (-105), Rice (-115)
Moneyline: Texas State -375, Rice +300