UConn Football Aims for Bowl Eligibility Against Rice in Week 9

The University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies are gearing up for a crucial homecoming game against the Rice Owls on Saturday, October 26, as they strive to achieve bowl eligibility for the second time in three years under coach Jim Mora. The Huskies, who are currently 3-5, need two more wins to reach the six-win mark required for bowl eligibility. Their recent performance has been promising, coming just three points short of a major upset against Wake Forest in Week 8, losing 23-20 at home.

Rice, with a 2-5 record, presents a significant challenge despite their struggles. The Owls have shown defensive prowess, particularly in their recent game against Tulane, where they gave the Green Wave a tough contest on the road. However, Rice’s offense has been a concern, averaging only 23.3 points per game and ranking 10th in the American Athletic Conference (AAC).

The game, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut, will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and available for live streaming on CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports App. The betting odds favor UConn with a spread of -6.5 points.

This matchup is the second-ever meeting between UConn and Rice, with the Huskies having won the first encounter last year. UConn’s coach Jim Mora has praised Rice’s team effort, especially their defensive performance, and emphasized the importance of capitalizing on all opportunities to secure the win).