Texas vs Rice 2010 College Football Odds, 2010 College Football Predictions & 2010 College Football Picks: Lone Star State rivals Texas and Rice square off this afternoon in a season opening clash at Reliant Stadium in Houston. The former Southwest Conference competitors are scheduled to kick things off at 3:30pm ET on ESPN. 2010 College Football Odds, Predictions & Picks at online bookmaker SBGglobal.com have the Longhorns listed as a -31 against the spread favorite in the neutral site affair. Today's game total is set at 56.
Texas returns 12 starters and 46 lettermen from last year's 13-1 squad, but Mack Brown did lose some big time talent with 
quarterback Colt McCoy, wide receiver Jordan Shipley, linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy, and safety Earl Thomas all moving on to the pro ranks.
Longhorns fans have little to fear, though, as Brown has turned the football program into a talent regenerating monster, one which seems to have a top 10 recruiting class every year. Besides, if the Texas faithful were going to have any apprehension over the personnel turnover it would not be today. The Longhorns have owned the Owls of late, winning their last four games against Rice by an average of 43 points per contest (averaged 53.3 points per game in those wins).
Quarterback Garrett Gilbert should have little trouble finding his way against an Owls defense that relinquished 43.1 points and 464 yards per game a season ago. The sophomore signal caller, who was thrust into the national spotlight in last year's BCS Championship Game, also has two capable targets in Malcolm Williams and James Kirkendoll, who combined for 87 receptions and eight touchdowns last season.
Head Coach David Bailiff had things rolling at Rice in 2008 as his team finished with a 10-3 record and 38-14 bowl win over Western Michigan. Bailiff's offense averaged 41.3 points per game that year with quarterback Chase Clement and receivers James Casey and Jarrett Dilliard lighting up opposing defenses. The production left with those three players, though, as the Owls struggled to a 2-10 record last season while averaging a paltry 18.3 points per game.
Bailiff's should find the going a little easier in 2010 with 18 starters and 51 lettermen back, including Alabama transer Nick Fanuzzi (QB); however, his team is simply outclassed today and the final result will reflect that fact.
2010 College Football Odds Betting Trend: The Over is 9-3 the last five years when Rice has played as an underdog with a game total of 54 or more during the month of September (Owls 3-9 against the spread in those games, 1-11 straight up).
SBGglobal.com Texas vs Rice 2010 College Football Odds, Predictions & Picks:
Texas Longhorns -31 (-110), Over 56 (-110)
Rice Owls +31 (-110), Under 56 (-110)
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