Tag: Notre Dame vs Rice

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish return home to Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, September 12, 2026, looking to make it two straight wins to begin the season when they host the Rice Owls.

Notre Dame enters the matchup ranked No. 4 in the country after an impressive 41-13 victory over Wisconsin at Lambeau Field in the season opener. Rice also enters the game with a 1-0 record after dominating Houston Christian 31-3 in its opener.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET, with the game being televised nationally on NBC and Peacock.

The matchup gives Notre Dame an opportunity to build momentum before beginning a stretch that includes Michigan State, Purdue and North Carolina. It also represents the first meeting between the Irish and Owls since 2014.

Notre Dame has dominated the all-time series, winning all five previous meetings. The most recent matchup came in 2014, when the Irish defeated Rice 48-17. Notre Dame is also 3-0 against the Owls at Notre Dame Stadium.

Notre Dame Comes Home After Statement Win

Notre Dame could hardly have asked for a better way to open the 2026 season.

The Irish defeated Wisconsin 41-13 at historic Lambeau Field, overcoming a relatively slow start before taking control of the game in the second half. The victory demonstrated why Notre Dame entered the season with expectations of competing for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Now the challenge for Marcus Freeman and his coaching staff is maintaining that intensity against a Rice team that will arrive in South Bend with plenty of confidence.

It would be easy for Notre Dame players and fans to look past Rice after the emotional victory over Wisconsin. That is precisely what the Irish need to avoid.

Rice is coming off a 31-3 victory over Houston Christian in which the Owls ran the football extremely well. Rice produced 465 rushing yards, controlled possession for nearly 40 minutes and limited Houston Christian to only 244 total yards.

That performance should get Notre Dame’s attention.

Rice Is Better Than a Typical Early-Season Opponent

On paper, this looks like a game Notre Dame should win comfortably. The Irish are ranked No. 4 nationally, are playing at home and have considerably more overall talent.

But Rice demonstrated in its opener that it can control a football game.

The Owls’ biggest strength against Houston Christian was their rushing attack. Tyvonn Byars rushed for 104 yards, while quarterback Jacurri Brown added 98 yards on the ground. Rice consistently moved the ball on the ground and used its rushing attack to control the clock.

Notre Dame therefore cannot afford to treat this as a glorified tune-up.

If the Irish allow Rice to establish its running game, control possession and keep the Notre Dame offense on the sideline, the Owls could make this game uncomfortable.

Notre Dame needs to establish control early.

What Notre Dame Needs to Do to Win

1. Stop Rice’s Running Game

This should be priority No. 1.

Rice showed against Houston Christian that it wants to establish the run and control the tempo. Notre Dame’s defense needs to force the Owls into obvious passing situations.

The Irish defense allowed only 13 points against Wisconsin, but the challenge against Rice is different. Notre Dame needs disciplined gap assignments and solid tackling to prevent Rice from producing the kind of long rushing drives that can keep an underdog in the game.

The good news is that Notre Dame has the defensive talent to make this extremely difficult for Rice.

2. Start Faster on Offense

Notre Dame’s offense eventually found its rhythm against Wisconsin, but the Irish would benefit from putting together a faster start against Rice.

A couple of early scoring drives could completely change the complexion of this game.

Notre Dame doesn’t need to throw the ball 40 times. The goal should be to establish the running game, stay ahead of the chains and take calculated shots downfield when Rice begins bringing extra defenders into the box.

If Notre Dame can take a two-score lead early, Rice will have a much harder time relying on its ground game.

3. Win the Line of Scrimmage

This is probably the biggest overall mismatch in the game.

Notre Dame needs to dominate both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Offensively, the Irish offensive line should be able to create running lanes and give the quarterback enough time to operate. Defensively, Notre Dame needs to consistently pressure Brown and prevent Rice’s offensive line from opening up the running lanes it enjoyed in Week 1.

Games like this are often decided by physicality, and Notre Dame should have the advantage.

4. Avoid Turnovers and Mental Mistakes

Notre Dame doesn’t need to do anything spectacular to win this game.

The Irish simply need to play clean football.

That means avoiding unnecessary penalties, protecting the football and preventing Rice from getting short fields.

The easiest way for an underdog to stay in a game against a heavily favored opponent is to capitalize on turnovers and special-teams mistakes.

Notre Dame should make Rice earn every possession.

5. Take Advantage of Playing at Notre Dame Stadium

This is the home opener, and the atmosphere should be noticeably different from last week’s neutral-site game at Lambeau Field.

Notre Dame Stadium should be loud, particularly if the Irish defense gets off to a fast start.

Notre Dame needs to use that home-field advantage to build momentum early rather than allowing Rice to settle into the game.

Notre Dame’s Injury Situation

Notre Dame will have to make some adjustments following the Wisconsin game.

Head coach Marcus Freeman indicated that safety Brauntae Johnson and defensive tackle Jason Onye are expected to miss multiple weeks, although neither injury is expected to end the players’ seasons. Ethan Long and Joey O’Brien are expected to see expanded roles, while Francis Brewu should receive more opportunities along the defensive line.

The injuries aren’t ideal, but this is also why depth becomes so important over the course of a season.

Notre Dame has bigger games coming later in the schedule, including matchups with BYU, Miami and SMU. There is little reason to rush players back against Rice if they aren’t ready.

Could Rice Keep This Game Close?

Absolutely — at least for a while.

Rice’s 31-3 victory over Houston Christian was impressive, particularly because of the Owls’ ability to run the football and control possession.

The question is whether Rice can replicate that success against a Notre Dame defense that is significantly more talented and experienced.

That is where the game could begin to separate.

If Rice can run the ball effectively, avoid turnovers and prevent Notre Dame from scoring quickly, the Owls could potentially keep the game competitive into the second half.

If Notre Dame jumps out to an early lead, however, Rice will be forced to throw more often. That would put the game in a much more favorable situation for the Irish defense.

Notre Dame vs. Rice Prediction

Notre Dame should win this game.

Rice deserves credit for an impressive opening-week performance, but the difference in overall talent, depth and physicality should eventually become apparent.

I expect Notre Dame to be more comfortable offensively than it was early against Wisconsin. The Irish should establish the running game, create opportunities in the passing game and gradually pull away.

Rice may have some success running the football early, but Notre Dame’s defense should eventually shut down the Owls’ rushing attack and force them to become one-dimensional.

Prediction: Notre Dame 45, Rice 10

I expect Rice to make a few plays and potentially keep the game competitive during the first quarter or so. But Notre Dame should take control before halftime and cruise in the second half.

A convincing victory would give the Irish a 2-0 record and provide another confidence boost before Michigan State visits Notre Dame Stadium on September 19.

Final Thoughts

The biggest danger for Notre Dame isn’t Rice’s talent — it’s complacency.

The Irish are coming off one of the most impressive opening-week victories in the country, and it’s natural for the emotional high of that win to carry into the following week.

Marcus Freeman needs to make sure his team understands that the Rice game is important.

Notre Dame has national championship aspirations, and championship-caliber teams are supposed to handle games like this.

If the Irish stop the run, protect the football, establish the line of scrimmage and get off to a fast start, Notre Dame should have little trouble improving to 2-0.

And with Michigan State, Purdue and North Carolina coming next, getting the job done against Rice without unnecessary injuries will be just as important as the final score.

Notre Dame vs. Rice FAQ

When is the Notre Dame vs. Rice football game?
Notre Dame plays Rice on Saturday, September 12, 2026.

What time does Notre Dame vs. Rice start?
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana.

What channel is Notre Dame vs. Rice on?
The game will be televised nationally on NBC and Peacock.

Where is the Notre Dame vs. Rice game being played?
The game will be played at Notre Dame Stadium on the campus of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.

What is Notre Dame’s record in 2026?
Notre Dame enters the Rice game with a 1-0 record after defeating Wisconsin 41-13 at Lambeau Field.

What is Rice’s record in 2026?
Rice is also 1-0 after defeating Houston Christian 31-3 in its season opener.

Has Notre Dame ever lost to Rice?
No. Notre Dame is 5-0 all-time against Rice. The Irish won the most recent meeting 48-17 in 2014.

What does Notre Dame need to do to beat Rice?
The Irish need to stop Rice’s rushing attack, establish the line of scrimmage, avoid turnovers and get off to a faster offensive start. Rice demonstrated in its opener that it can control a game with its running game, so Notre Dame cannot afford to overlook the Owls.

Can Rice upset Notre Dame?
An upset would be a major surprise, but Rice has enough offensive ability to make things interesting if Notre Dame commits turnovers or struggles to stop the run. The Owls’ 31-3 opening-week victory showed that they should not be taken lightly.

Who is favored to win Notre Dame vs. Rice?
Notre Dame is a heavy favorite. Current pregame projections have the Irish favored by more than 40 points, reflecting the significant difference in ranking and overall team strength.

What is the prediction for Notre Dame vs. Rice?
Notre Dame should win comfortably. My prediction is Notre Dame 45, Rice 10.

Why is this game important for Notre Dame?
Beyond moving to 2-0, the Rice game gives Notre Dame another opportunity to develop its offense, build defensive depth and work through injuries before a tougher portion of the schedule. Michigan State follows Rice on September 19, with Purdue, North Carolina, Stanford and BYU among the subsequent opponents.