2026 Week 10 Preview: Rice Owls @ North Texas Mean Green

Game notes

• Time and date: Saturday, November 7 at 4:00 p.m. ET
• Network: ESPNU
• Location: DATCU Stadium — Denton, TX
• Spread: North Texas (-17.5)
• Over/under: 64.5
• All-time series: North Texas leads, 9-5
• Last meeting: North Texas 56, Rice 24 — November 22, 2025
• Current streak: North Texas, 4 (2020-25)

Setting the scene

As of Friday, Nov. 6, only one team is perfect in the American Conference standings. North Texas carries a five-game win streak and a 4-0 conference record into a home matchup against Rice. While the Owls have yet to defeat an FBS opponent and ride a seven-game losing streak, they have competed against the American’s best throughout the season — falling 16-14 to UTSA and 51-49 at Florida Atlantic.

North Texas hopes to avoid a scare and continue its trek toward a second-straight American Championship Game appearance under two different coaching staffs. The Mean Green have dominated the series this decade, winning all four matchups since 2020.

Rice Owls outlook

Rice (1-7, 0-4 American) is the only team in the American awaiting its first conference victory. The Owls have come excruciatingly close several times, including last outing at Florida Atlantic, where its game-winning field goal attempt fell inches short of the uprights.

The Owls unlocked something special in that loss in Boca Raton. Backup quarterback Gael Ochoa, making his first collegiate start, put up historic numbers. He rushed for 259 yards on 12 attempts, setting the American Conference single-game record for rushing average at 21.6 yards per carry. Ochoa produced four touchdowns — all spanning at least 50 yards — and recorded the most rushing yards by a quarterback since Bert Emanuel Jr. of Central Michigan in 2022.

However, the bye week allowed time for starter Jacurri Brown to recover. Now Rice has two effective mobile quarterbacks and must figure out how to manage them. Brown has eclipsed 120 yards rushing in three games this season, including 155 in his last start against Tulsa on Oct. 17. Head coach Scott Abell did not reveal his gameplan, but both quarterbacks could see substantial action against North Texas.

The quarterbacks have benefited from quality run blocking, led by guard Patrick Valent. The Owls’ option attack ranks fourth in the country in rushing yards per game, ninth in rushing average, and first in 40-yard pickups. One reason Rice’s offense had more success against Florida Atlantic than other opponents was the contribution from other sources. Running back Tyvonn Byars produced 93 yards that day, and he is heating up with 257 yards across his last three games. Slot receiver Max Mosey added a season-high 84 rushing yards, allowing the Owls to unlock their full potential in the option scheme.

Rice only needed four completions to produce 49 points last outing, and if the run game works to that extent, the Owls can shelf its 136th-ranked passing game. When Rice drops back, Jordan Clark is the overwhelming No. 1 target. His 20 receptions more than double anyone else on the roster, as do his 257 receiving yards.

While the Owls held UTSA to one touchdown and 16 points in the conference matchup, late October was not kind for the defense which surrendered 401 yards to Tulsa and 461 to Florida Atlantic. Rice is 122nd nationally in scoring defense and 96th in total defense, and it’s been a multifaceted struggle. The Owls allow an opposing completion percentage of 66.4 and yield 176 rushing yards per game.

Only two teams have generated fewer takeaways than Rice’s five, but that’s not for a lack of opportunity. Rice is tied for 11th in the country with nine forced fumbles. Defensive tackle Brayden Bays forced two several weeks ago against Tulsa, and he’s been an effective run stopper with seven tackles for loss. Another player wreaking havoc in the backfield is strong safety Koa Akui, who leads the defense in both tackles for loss (8.0) and pass breakups (4).

North Texas Mean Green outlook

North Texas (6-2, 4-0 American) recorded its winningest season in program history in 2025, finishing 12-2 and landing at No. 24 in the final AP Poll. After losing head coach Eric Morris and offensive stars Drew Mestemaker, Caleb Hawkins, and Wyatt Young, among many others, to Oklahoma State, North Texas started the offseason essentially at square one.

Veteran head coach Neal Brown took the job and ensured there would be minimal dropoff. Now, the Mean Green control their own destiny for a second-straight American Conference Championship Game appearance. The main reason for their success is the offense which ranks second nationally in scoring (43.8 points per game) and first in production (540 yards per game).

North Texas operates with tremendous balance. The Mean Green are second in the FBS in passing and 32nd in rushing. The well-traveled Tayven Jackson found a perfect home in Denton, where he has compiled the third-most passing yards in the country (2,577) and sixth-most passing touchdowns (22), while operating at the fourth-best efficiency (72.3 completion percentage). In every conference game, Jackson has thrown for over 300 yards and at least three touchdowns. With the passing attack leading the way, North Texas has scored at least 45 points in all five games of its win streak.

Running back Jahiem White ranks second nationally in rushing at 1,047 yards, sitting just two yards behind Boise State’s Dylan Riley. The West Virginia transfer has been consistently explosive on the ground, exceeding 170 yards in three of his last four outings. When White eclipses 100 yards, North Texas is 6-0. Additionally, he has scored in all eight games, owning the fourth-most rushing touchdowns in the FBS.

Wide receiver Justin Stevenson rounds out North Texas’ skill position stars. He is tied for 10th in the country with 781 receiving yards, and his impact has improved over time. Over the last three wins, Stevenson is averaging 8.7 receptions and 150 receiving yards per game. Wide receiver Kyle Koch and tight end Max Reese are among the many other threats utilized by North Texas’ vaunted passing game.

The Mean Green are regularly involved in high-scoring shootouts, as the defense has given up at least 39 points in three of four conference games. North Texas is 123rd nationally in scoring defense, allowing 31.9 points per game, and 109th in total defense, allowing 396 yards per game.

Last week against Florida Atlantic, the Mean Green struggled in containing the air — an element of the defense which will not be as crucial against Rice. Still, they forced two opportune turnovers against Florida Atlantic which were the difference makers in a 48-41 victory. North Texas has produced 12 takeaways this season, sitting a plus-3 in the turnover battle. Inside linebacker and leading tackler Zakye Barker has spearheaded this movement with two fumble recoveries, including a scoop-and-score against Navy. Defensive end Davion Rhodes has also been a disruptive playmaker by forcing four fumbles, along with registering team-highs in sacks (4.0) and tackles for loss (6.5).

Prediction

North Texas’ dynamic offense scoring at least 45 points has been a guarantee in conference play, and there are no signs of that trend slowing down. The Mean Green have overwhelmed opponents with their vertical passing attack, while also excelling on the ground through Jahiem White.

Rice’s offense proved against Florida Atlantic that it can keep pace in a shootout through explosive runs. Jacurri Brown and Gael Ochoa are both capable of leading that charge, and they should see some success against a North Texas defense that allowed 228 rushing yards to a quarterback when it faced Navy’s option offense two weeks ago.

However, North Texas’ offense is too effective to go for punch-for-punch with, especially in Denton where the Mean Green are 4-0 under Neal Brown, winning by an average score of 51-18.

Prediction: North Texas 52, Rice 21