The Rice Owls will face the Navy Midshipmen in American Athletic Conference play on Saturday afternoon. Both teams are off to unbeaten starts in AAC play and will look to keep their zero in the loss column in conference competition this weekend. Here, I break down this matchup in the American and make my Rice vs Navy prediction for Saturday’s game.
Our Rice vs Navy Pick
- Pick: Navy -13.5
- Confidence: 3/5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Rice Owls vs Navy Midshipmen
- Date & Time: Saturday, September 27, 2025, 3:30 PM ET
- Venue: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, MD
- Broadcast: CBS Sports Network
Rice vs Navy Odds
| Betting Odds | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice | +13.5 (-110) | +425 | Over 45.5 |
| Navy | -13.5 (-110) | -650 | Under 45.5 |
Key Storylines
- Rice’s Resurgence: The Owls are off to their best start since 2001. They have a 3-1 record under new head coach Scott Abell. Their option-based offense has been effective and their defense has shown improvement.
- Navy’s Balanced Attack: The Midshipmen have been dominant on both sides of the ball, averaging 44 points per game and allowing just 18. Their rushing offense leads the AAC and their defense has done well in generating pressure on opposing quarterbacks early in the year.
- Early AAC Litmus Test: Rice is 1-0 in American Athletic Conference play to start the season. Navy has won its first two conference games in 2025. Both teams will get a good idea of where they stand in conference play in this contest against another team that is off to a strong start.
Quarterback Play
- Rice: Quarterback Chase Jenkins has been efficient, completing 35 of 48 passes for 269 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also makes plays with his legs, helping Rice run its option offense.
- Navy: Blake Horvath leads the Midshipmen’s offense, completing 18 of 25 passes for 328 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. He is also the quarterback of an option offense, meaning that he is called upon to run the football frequently for his team.
Betting Trends & H2H
- Rice is 2-2 against the spread to start the season.
- Navy is 2-1 against the spread early in the 2025 campaign.
- Rice has gone over the total in three of their first four games for the season.
- Navy has gone over the total in each of their first three games this year.
- Rice is 7-6 all-time against Navy. The Owls snapped a four-game losing streak against Navy by beating the Midshipmen in 2024.
Rice vs Navy Model Projection
Score Projection: Navy 38 – Rice 20
Win Probability: Navy 86%, Rice 14%
Final Thoughts
While Rice has shown significant improvement this season, Navy’s offensive attack and strong defensive play make them deserved favorites in this matchup. The Midshipmen’s ability to control the game on both sides of the ball should lead them to a comfortable victory. I recommend laying the points with the Midshipmen as they should improve to 3-0 in AAC play for the year.
