Rice at North Texas: Week 10 preview

Rice (1-7) visits North Texas (6-2) on Sat, Nov 7 · 4:00 PM ET. The line is North Texas −17.5 with a total of 64.5.
SP+ power ratings: Rice -14.2 (122nd), North Texas -0.6 (72nd). SP+ projects North Texas by 16.1, including 2.5 points of home field.
The Rice offense ranks 118th in FBS in EPA per play (−0.00); the North Texas defense ranks 98th (+0.17 allowed). Biggest Rice edges: passing explosiveness, explosiveness. The North Texas defense holds the edge in line yards per carry, sack rate, second-level yards per carry.
The North Texas offense ranks 5th in FBS in EPA per play (+0.31); the Rice defense ranks 110th (+0.20 allowed). Biggest North Texas edges: rushing explosiveness, sack rate, EPA per play. The Rice defense holds the edge in line yards per carry, stuff rate, passing explosiveness.
Schedule so far (average FBS opponent SP+): Rice +2.7 (57th toughest), North Texas −1.3 (81st toughest).
Weather: Cloudy, 68°F at kickoff (feels like 65°), 0% chance of rain, wind NE 6 mph gusting to 8.