The Rice Owls, with a 2-1 record, are set to meet the Charlotte 49ers in Week 4 of the 2025 regular season. This Thursday night game will take place at Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, and will be broadcasted on ESPN. With both teams competing in the American Conference, this matchup could hold significant implications for their respective seasons.
Rice enters the game following a decisive 38-17 victory over Prairie View A&M Panthers, highlighting their potent rushing attack. The Owls have demonstrated resilience on the road with a 1-0 away record this season. Their solid start positions them favorably as they aim to continue their success in conference play.
Charlotte 49ers, on the other hand, hold a 1-2 record and are looking to capitalize on their recent 42-35 win against Monmouth Hawks. Despite struggles earlier in the season, they have shown an ability to rack up significant passing yards. As the home team, Charlotte hopes their familiarity with Jerry Richardson Stadium will give them an edge in this encounter.
Charlotte vs Rice At a Glance
- Game Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 7:30 PM
- Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium in Charlotte, NC
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Rice Owls Record: 2-1
- Charlotte 49ers Record: 1-2
- Game Odds: Rice -138, Charlotte +115
Charlotte 49ers Set to Challenge in the Upcoming Game
Team Overview
The Charlotte 49ers have been showing an improving offensive capability this season. With 774 passing yards and 64 first downs, they rank 42nd and 23rd respectively, showcasing a stronger passing game. However, their rushing yardage of 281 ranks at 112th, indicating room for improvement on the ground.
Defensively, the 49ers have allowed 89 points against them, placing them at 72nd in the rankings. Their defensive line has proven formidable with 6 sacks, earning them a 9th place rank. The team has yet to secure an interception but has recovered 1 fumble, ranking 5th in that category.
Recent Performances
In their most recent game, the Charlotte 49ers claimed a narrow 42-35 victory over the Monmouth Hawks. Despite allowing 410 passing yards to the Hawks, Charlotte managed to secure the win with a balanced offensive attack of 382 passing yards and 183 rushing yards.
Earlier this season, the 49ers faced a tough challenge against the North Carolina Tar Heels, resulting in a 20-3 loss. Charlotte’s offense struggled, producing only 22 rushing yards against a strong defensive front from North Carolina.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback Conner Harrell has been a standout performer for the 49ers, amassing 664 passing yards and 4 touchdowns. Harrell’s performance has been critical in maintaining Charlotte’s competitive edge on the field.
On the receiving end, E. Jai Mason has made significant contributions with 284 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. His ability to make plays downfield has been instrumental in stretching opposing defenses.
Upcoming Challenges
Looking ahead, the 49ers will face the Rice Owls at home. The team will aim to build on their recent success and improve their offensive and defensive metrics.
With key players like Justin Olson and Henry Rutledge listed as questionable, Charlotte will need to strategize effectively to maximize their strengths and address any potential weaknesses in their lineup.
Team Betting Trends
- O/U – Away Games: Last 4 Games (2024) → 4-0 (100.0%)
- SU – As Favorite: Last 3 Games (2024–2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- ATS – As Favorite: Last 3 Games (2024–2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- ATS – Away Games: Last 15 Games (2022–2024) → 11-4 (73.3%)
- O/U – Totals ≥ 50: Last 26 Games (2021–2025) → 17-9 (65.4%)
Rice Owls Soar into Charlotte: A Data-Driven Analysis
Offensive Insights
The Rice Owls have amassed a total of 61 points in the 2025 season, positioning them at 63rd in the national rankings for points scored. Their passing game has been less effective, with only 210 passing yards, placing them at a disappointing 149th rank. Conversely, their rushing game has been a standout, with 733 rushing yards, ranking 11th nationally.
Despite these offensive efforts, the Owls have struggled in the passing department, with Chase Jenkins leading the quarterbacks with just 182 yards over three games. Quinton Jackson has been the key rusher, contributing significantly to the team’s ground success with 213 rushing yards over the same period. The Owls have converted these opportunities into 62 first downs, placing them 25th in the rankings.
Defensive Breakdown
On the defensive side, the Owls have allowed 64 points against them, ranking them 49th in the nation. Their pass rush has been particularly effective, achieving 8 sacks and securing a 7th place rank. The secondary has also made its mark, with 1 interception ranking them 2nd nationally, while also recovering 1 fumble to sit at 5th in that category.
Rice’s defense has shown a considerable improvement from the previous season, where they allowed 305 points and were ranked 87th. The Owls’ defensive upgrades have been integral in their ability to limit opponents and create turnovers, setting up favorable field positions for their offense.
Recent Game Performances
The Owls’ recent 38-17 victory over Prairie View A&M showcased their strong rushing attack, amassing 347 rushing yards. However, their passing game struggled with just 114 yards. Despite this, Rice dominated in first downs with 28 compared to their opponent’s 18.
In a previous game against Houston, Rice fell short with a 35-9 loss. This game highlighted their offensive struggles, particularly in passing, as they managed only 51 passing yards. Their rushing game, while better, still fell short against Houston’s defense.
Upcoming Challenges
As Rice prepares to take on the Charlotte 49ers, they will look to leverage their strong rushing game and improved defense. With a current spread of -2.5 in their favor, the Owls are considered the favorites in this matchup. The total points line is set at 42.5, reflecting expectations of a defensively-minded contest.
Injury concerns remain with Artis Cole, who is listed as questionable with an undisclosed injury. His potential absence could impact the Owls’ passing game, necessitating other players to step up.
Betting Trends
- O/U – Home Games: Last 3 Games → 3-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – After Loss: Last 3 Games → 3-0 (100.0%)
- ATS – Totals ≥ 50: Last 22 Games → 15-7 (68.2%)
- O/U – Totals ≥ 50: Last 30 Games → 19-10-1 (63.3%)
- ATS – After Loss: Last 23 Games → 15-8 (65.2%)
- O/U – All Games: Last 5 Games → 4-1 (80.0%)
Charlotte vs Rice Prediction: Over 42.5
When Charlotte hosts Rice, the total is set at 42.5 points, and there’s compelling evidence to consider the over. Charlotte’s recent games have seen high-scoring affairs, including a 42-35 victory over Monmouth. This suggests their offense is capable of putting up significant points, while their defense might allow Rice to score as well.
Rice has averaged 20.3 points per game this season, and although their defense has been solid, playing on the road may challenge them to maintain their defensive stats. Given Charlotte’s offensive output and Rice’s potential to score, the over looks promising. Charlotte’s trends also support higher scoring games, with a 64.3% success rate on overs in recent matchups.
The head-to-head history between these teams also indicates a potential for surpassing the 42.5 mark. The last encounter in Charlotte saw a combined 35 points, and with both teams showing offensive improvements since then, a similar or higher total can be expected.
Considering the offensive stats and previous performances, a projected final score of Charlotte 28 – Rice 24 would comfortably hit the over. This aligns with the teams’ tendencies to engage in competitive and moderately high-scoring games.
- Charlotte vs Rice Prediction: Over 42.5
- Charlotte vs Rice Score: Charlotte 28 – Rice 24
