Michael Pratt and the Green Wave are riding high heading into Rice this weekend. Their only loss coming vs Ole Miss in a game where backup QB Kai Horton started for Tulane, they are looking to continue to stay hot as they head into Houston to take on the Owls.
Three-time transfer QB JT Daniels has been great to start the season for Rice. After sustaining a brutal injury and losing his spot at USC, Daniels transferred to Georgia where he sat behind Stetson Bennett, before heading to West Virginia last season, until he finally landed in Houston with the Owls.
With the carousel finally ending in Daniels’ last collegiate season, I think he gives Rice a great chance to upset Tulane this Saturday. JT has slung the rock this season, throwing for 2,173 yards, 17 touchdowns, and just 5 interceptions, all major improvements already from last season.
Daniels has been helped by brother of 49ers superstar Christian McCaffrey, Luke. Luke has been a star for Rice after deciding to transfer from Nebraska after two years of limited action. In his first season with the Owls, McCaffrey hauled in 58 passes for 723 yards and six touchdowns.
In 2023, McCaffrey has surpassed his touchdown total with seven in the same number of games, while also piling on 613 yards. The brother of a superstar might just be one in the making, and I think he will no doubt surpass the 1,000-yard mark by seasons end.
I think this dangerous duo of Daniels and McCaffrey gives the Rice Owls a real chance to pull the upset on Saturday. The Green Wave enter the game as 10.5-point favorites according to Caesar’s Sportsbook; however, this may be the toughest test Tulane’s defense has faced since Ole Miss came to town.
If Rice fans show up in force for the matchup with No.22 Tulane, a hot start could make Green Wave fans sweat. I like Daniels and McCaffrey to get the offense going quickly, leading to the Owls covering the 10.5-point spread, and I give Rice a great chance to take this one outright.
