Game: Western Michigan Broncos (9-3) vs Rice Owls (9-3)
Date/Time: Tuesday, December 30 - 8:00 PM EST
Spread: Rice Owls -3 Total: 73.5
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The names Western Michigan Broncos and the Rice Owls don't instill fear or conjure images of winning football. But both are 9-3 and both will be looking for bowl validation of their excellent 2008 seasons when they take the field on December 30 for the Texas Bowl.

Tim Hiller was 15-of-32 for 145 yards with a TD pass and two interceptions for Western Michigan in its 45-22 loss to Ball State in Week 14.

Ball State covered as 10-point home favorites as the teams played over the 54.5-point total set by oddsmakers.

Chase Clement totaled six touchdowns on the day to lead Rice to a 56-42 upset win over Houston in Week 14.

The Owls covered the 3-point spread, while the final score played OVER the total of 79.

College Bowl Oddsmakers currently have the Owls listed as 3-point favorites versus the Broncos, while the game's total is sitting at 73.5.
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Team records:
Western Michigan: 9-3 SU, 5-6 ATS
Rice: 9-3 SU, 8-4 ATS

Western Michigan most recently:
When playing in December are 0-2
When playing on grass are 6-4
After being outgained are 7-3
When playing outside the conference are 5-5

Rice most recently:
When playing in December are 0-2
When playing on grass are 1-9
After being outgained are 4-6
When playing outside the conference are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
Western Michigan is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
Rice is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Rice is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 19 of Rice's last 23 games
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