Rice at No. 4 Notre Dame 2026 Preview: Prediction, Betting Odds & 4 Prop Bets

Saturday, September 12, 2026 Time: 3:30 PM ET Location: Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana TV: NBC / Peacock Tickets: As low as $83 Line: Notre Dame -44.5 Over/Under: 54.5

No. 4 Notre Dame makes its 2026 home debut Saturday against Rice after opening the season with an impressive 41-13 victory over Wisconsin at Lambeau Field.

Quarterback CJ Carr completed 19 of 29 passes for 239 yards, while Aneyas Williams rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns. Notre Dame broke open a 13-10 halftime game by outscoring Wisconsin 28-3 in the second half.

Rice also enters 1-0 after beating Houston Christian 31-3. The Owls dominated on the ground, rushing for an incredible 465 yards, their highest total since 2004. Tyvonn Byars led the way with 104 yards on 16 carries.

The betting market lists Notre Dame around -44.5, while the total has climbed from an opening 52.5 to approximately 54.5 at some books.

Top Four Prop Bets

Exact player props may vary by sportsbook. The numbers below are projected betting targets.

Prop Bet #1: CJ Carr Over 219.5 Passing Yards

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Carr Over 219.5 Passing Yards

• 239 Yards vs Wisconsin
• Experienced Starter
• Favorable Matchup

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Carr threw for 239 yards against a much stronger Wisconsin defense and completed passes to nine different receivers.

Rice controlled its opener through the running game, but Notre Dame should dictate possession and create multiple short fields.

The danger is playing time. If Notre Dame leads by 35 early in the third quarter, Carr may be finished.

Projected Bet: CJ Carr Over 219.5 Passing Yards

Prop Bet #2: Aneyas Williams Over 69.5 Rushing Yards

FanDuel

4.6/5

Tip: Williams Over 69.5 Rushing Yards

• 90 Yards vs Wisconsin
• Two Touchdowns
• Offensive Line Advantage

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Williams rushed for 90 yards and two scores against Wisconsin and was particularly effective once Notre Dame took control after halftime.

Rice allowed Houston Christian to rush for 148 yards despite winning comfortably. Notre Dame’s offensive line presents an entirely different challenge.

Williams may not need more than 12-to-15 carries to clear this number.

Projected Bet: Aneyas Williams Over 69.5 Rushing Yards

Prop Bet #3: Tyvonn Byars Under 59.5 Rushing Yards

Caesars

4.4/5

Tip: Byars Under 59.5 Rushing Yards

• Major Defensive Upgrade
• Negative Game Script
• Notre Dame Front Seven

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Byars rushed for 104 yards in Rice’s opener, helping the Owls pile up 465 rushing yards.

Replicating that production against Notre Dame is another matter.

The Irish held Wisconsin to just 1.4 yards per rush in the second half and should have a major advantage along the defensive front.

If Rice falls behind quickly, its rushing volume will also decline.

Projected Bet: Tyvonn Byars Under 59.5 Rushing Yards

Prop Bet #4: Under 54.5 Points

BetMGM

4.5/5

Tip: Under 54.5 Points

• Rice Run-Heavy Offense
• Notre Dame Defensive Edge
• Blowout Clock Management

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Rice held the football for 39:32 against HCU because of its run-heavy offense. That style can shorten a game even when the Owls are significant underdogs.

Notre Dame should score comfortably, but once the margin becomes large, Marcus Freeman has little reason to keep Carr and other starters exposed.

Rice may also struggle to contribute enough points to push the total over.

Bet: Under 54.5 Points

Players to Watch

CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame: Threw for 239 yards in the opener after producing 2,741 yards and 24 touchdown passes last season.

Aneyas Williams, RB, Notre Dame: Scored twice and rushed for 90 yards against Wisconsin.

Drayk Bowen, LB, Notre Dame: Helped anchor a defense that allowed only three second-half points against Wisconsin.

Tyvonn Byars, RB, Rice: Rushed for 104 yards in the season opener.

Quinton Jackson, RB, Rice: Scored two rushing touchdowns against HCU.

Gael Ochoa, QB, Rice: Rice barely needed to throw in Week 1, but Ochoa added a 29-yard rushing touchdown.

Keys to the Game

Rice

Rice must shorten the game with its rushing attack and avoid turnovers.

The Owls cannot afford repeated three-and-outs because Notre Dame’s offense will eventually overwhelm them with field position and depth.

Notre Dame

Notre Dame needs to attack early, establish Williams and force Rice away from its preferred run-heavy offense.

Once the Irish build a comfortable advantage, the priority becomes getting Carr and other starters safely to the sideline.

Betting Prediction

Notre Dame should dominate, but 44.5 points is an enormous spread.

Rice’s rushing style gives the Owls an opportunity to drain clock and reduce the total number of possessions. That makes Rice more attractive against the spread than Notre Dame at such an inflated number.

The under is the better wager.

Notre Dame could score into the 40s while still leaving the game below 54.5 if Rice struggles offensively.

The Verdict

Expect Rice to emphasize Byars and the running game early, but Notre Dame’s defensive front should gradually eliminate that strategy.

Carr should produce another efficient performance before the Irish shift toward their backups.

Final Score Prediction: No. 4 Notre Dame 45, Rice 7

Best Bet: Under 54.5

Against the Spread: Rice +44.5

Moneyline: Notre Dame

Top Player Prop: Aneyas Williams Over 69.5 Rushing Yards

Additional Props: CJ Carr Over 219.5 Passing Yards | Tyvonn Byars Under 59.5 Rushing Yards