Experienced Stanford Team Opens Season In Australia

Stanford returns the bulk of its starters from a 2016 squad that went 10-3 with a bowl victory. For their success, the Cardinal get to open the 2017 season in Australia against Rice. Stanford has traditionally opened the season well with seven wins in its past eight Week 1 outings but will the travel negatively affect the team?

Shark Bites
  • Rice is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games against the Pac-12.
  • Stanford is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games in Week 1.
  • The total has gone OVER in 5 of Rice’s last 6 games.

It’s fair to wonder how Stanford replaces Christian McCaffrey but speedy Bryce Love has the ability assuming he doesn’t get banged up. The offense will need improved play from the QB position if the Cardinal want to win the Pac-12 this season, though. Keller Chryst was injured last season and has been on the sideline the bulk of the spring but coach David Shaw seems to believe the senior is healthy enough to start Day 1.

Rice seemed to bottom out last year by going 3-9, its worst record since 2009. New defensive coordinator Brian Stewart will be turned to in order to fix a defense that was downright awful last season. It’s not like the offense inspires much hope either, as there is a glut of OK-at-best quarterbacks.

Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick

Those siding with the visitors in this one saw the Stanford Cardinal listed as -33.5-point favorites earlier this week at Sportsbook. Meanwhile, the OVER/UNDER betting line was unavailable earlier in the week, but posted shortly at Sportsbook.

Handicapping prediction models run by the computers at OddsShark picked a 27-6 result in favor of the Cardinal. Check the picks page or matchup report during the week as factors may cause that prediction to be re-run. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NCAAF matchups here.

Stanford Cardinal vs Rice Owls Matchup

Team Betting Records & Power Rankings

The Rice Owls went 3-9 (6-6 ATS) last season; in comparison, the Stanford Cardinal were 10-3 (7-6 ATS). Looking to bet on the totals? Rice was 7-5 OU, and Stanford went 5-8 OU. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Rice vs Stanford injuries news.

This game matches up the No. 123 (Rice Owls) and the No. 49 (Stanford Cardinal) teams in the league, according to last season's NCAA football Power Rankings at OddsShark.

Statistical Matchup

Offensively, the game matches up the Rice Owls No. 93-ranked offense (25.25 PPG) last season against a Stanford Cardinal defense that ranked No. 18 at 20.38 PPG. The Rice Owls passing attack averaged 214.92 yards per game, less than the Stanford Cardinal gave up through the air (223.62 YPG on average).

Defensively, the Stanford Cardinal featured the league's No. 29-rated road run defense, allowing 138.67 yards per game. Rice, meanwhile, ranked No. 51 in rushing offense at home.

Recent Outings Betting Recap

Bryce Love went over the 100-yard mark (119) in his team's last game as Stanford defeated North Carolina by a score of 25-23.

Next Betting Matchups

Stanford at USC, Saturday, September 9
Rice at UTEP, Saturday, September 9

Rice is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games against the Pac-12.home Stanford is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games in Week 1.away The total has gone OVER in 5 of Rice’s last 6 games.home
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