The Rice Owls and Charlotte 49ers open American Conference play Thursday night at Jerry Richardson Stadium as both teams look to gain early ground in the league standings.
Our comprehensive Rice vs. Charlotte prediction features exclusive PFSN player and team grades, advanced analytical insights, and our data-driven prediction for Thursday’s 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN.
Rice vs. Charlotte Game Details
- Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
- Game time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium | Charlotte, N.C.
- Predicted Weather at Kick: 82°, mostly clear, 2 mph winds
- How To Watch: ESPN
Rice vs. Charlotte Head-to-Head Record
The Owls and 49ers bring a perfectly balanced rivalry into Thursday’s clash, tied 3-3 across their nine-year history that began when Charlotte joined the FBS level in 2015. Rice claimed the inaugural meeting 27-7 at home, then delivered the series’ most dramatic moment the following year, erasing a 21-0 halftime deficit to win 22-21 in Charlotte.
Recent momentum has shifted between the programs, with Charlotte winning 21-20 at Rice Stadium last season after the Owls dominated their previous encounter 28-7 in 2023. Both teams have alternated victories since their Conference USA days, continuing their competitive balance as American Conference rivals.
Rice vs. Charlotte Grades
PFSN College OFFi
- Rice (66.88, D)
- Charlotte (74.37, C)
PFSN College DEFi
- Rice (76.12, C)
- Charlotte (67.03, D+)
PFSN College OLi
- Rice (68.73, D+)
- Charlotte (68.93, D+)
PFSN College QBi
- Chase Jenkins, Rice (66.8, D)
- Conner Harrell, Charlotte (80.37, B-)
PFSN College RBi
- Daelen Alexander, Rice (62.61, D-)
- CJ Stokes, Charlotte (58.89, F)
PFSN College WRi
- Drayden Dickmann, Rice (73.85, C)
- E. Jai Mason, Charlotte (80.37, B-)
PFSN College TEi
- Michael Barnett, Rice (67.04, D+)
- Gus McGee, Charlotte (73.64, C)
PFSN College EDGEi
- Tony Anyanwu, Rice (81.57, B-)
- Curtis Simpson, Charlotte (72.22, C-)
PFSN College DTi
- Aquantis Clemmons, Rice (69.35, D+)
- Jamarrion Solomon, Charlotte (72.98, C-)
PFSN College LBi
- Ty Morris, Rice (69.06, D+)
- Shay Taylor, Charlotte (66.54, D)
PFSN College CBi
- Khary Crump, Rice (80.84, B-)
- Gavin Shipman, Charlotte (77.4, C+)
PFSN College SAFi
- Jack Kane, Rice (79.35, C+)
- Cary Grant, Charlotte (77.45, C+)
Rice vs. Charlotte Prediction
Rice and Charlotte will be looking to deliver a well-rounded performance in primetime Thursday night in Week 4 as the Owls and the 49ers enter conference play. Both ended the 2024 season with losing records but entered 2025 under new leadership, hoping to rebound.
Rice enters the 2025 matchup as the roughly 1.5-point favorite, having been the more impressive of the two sides during the opening three weeks.
The Owls are 2-1 to begin Scott Abell’s tenure and have used creative offensive plays, rotated running backs, and displayed effective clock management to average around three minutes per offensive drive (19th in the nation).
Running backs Dalen Alexander and Quinton Jackson, as well as quarterback Chase Jenkins, have all rushed for over 140 yards in the first three weeks.
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While there is significant pre-snap trickery, the offense is a rush-first attack. The Owls ranked 21st in the FBS with 229.3 rushing yards per game, but rank a disappointing 135th, averaging 84.0 passing yards per game.
Charlotte’s ability to contain the Rice rushing attack will hold the key to this game. The 49ers rank 54th nationally, allowing 4.0 yards per rush in 2025, though opponents have converted 57.1% of their third-down rushing attempts.
The contest figures to be an uphill battle for Charlotte, but the 49ers know what they need to do to win: stop the run and decrease Rice’s time of possession. Charlotte is 1-2 under Tim Albin, narrowly defeating FCS opponent Monmouth 42-35, requiring a late fourth-quarter drive to secure victory.
This game is likely to be a low-scoring affair, and continued strong play from Connor Harrell may be needed. The Charlotte quarterback has completed 67.5% of his passes for 664 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions through three weeks, while also contributing 45 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
The 49ers haven’t had a running back reach 100 yards this season, but wide receiver E. Jai Mason leads the conference with 284 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns, adding some explosive plays through the air in what may turn out to be a battle won on the ground in Week 4.
Prediction: Rice 24, Charlotte 19
