Memphis Tigers vs Rice Owls Prediction, Odds and Picks for Friday, 10/31/25

Memphis cracked into the Top 25 rankings in both The Associated Press and Coaches Polls, stunning USF last week at the Liberty Bowl. Now, the hunter becomes the hunted, as the ranked Tigers look to avoid the upset against the ground-oriented Owls at Rice Stadium. Memphis is not only 7-1 SU, but it is 7-1 against the spread (ATS) in eight games, going 4-1 ATS in five games as a double-digit favorite. However, that lone non-cover came in a 31-24 loss at UAB as a 24-point favorite on Oct. 18, so the caution flag is definitely raised. Memphis has allowed 26 or more points in four of the past five outings, too, but the good job is that the Tigers allow just 130.3 yards per game on the ground, ranking 50th in the nation.

The run game is the strength of the Rice offense, and it racked up 300 yards on the ground in a 37-34 2OT win over UConn last time out as a 10-point underdog. However, the defense for Rice has struggled mightily, allowing 27 or more points in three in a row, coughing up 122 combined points, or 40.7 PPG. The Over is 5-2 in the past seven games for the Owls. The inability of Rice to stop anybody on defense, combined with the good work of Memphis against the run, will help keep the playoff hopes on track for Memphis. It won’t get tripped up again like it was at UAB. But, it’s even better if you can get this at 13.5 or fewer points.

Memphis -14 (-110) at time of publishing. Playable to -15.5.