DraftKings · as of July 8, 2026
Florida Atlantic defeated Rice 27–21 in a closely contested finish. Florida Atlantic covered by 10.5; Game went Under by 6.5. The market closed at Rice -4.5 and the Blue Chip model made it Florida Atlantic -0.5 - a gap of 5.0 points toward Florida Atlantic, of which 3.7 points were beyond the model's measured factors. That was an information gap - the market pricing something the model does not carry - rather than a measured edge.
Caden Veltkamp completed 23 of 33 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns, showing strong accuracy and playmaking ability that will be key for FAU's offense moving forward.
Kirch caught two touchdown passes, including a 30-yard score and a 2-yarder, demonstrating his value as a reliable target near the end zone.
FAU had multiple receivers contribute, with Asaad Waseem adding 89 yards and a 38-yard touchdown, indicating depth in the passing game that defenses must respect.
After Rice cut the lead to six points in the fourth quarter, FAU's defense held firm to secure the win, showing ability to make stops when needed.
Improving to 1-1 in American Athletic Conference play, this victory provides confidence and a foundation for the remainder of the season.
At kickoff, conditions at Rice Stadium were Clear, 79°F with winds of 7 mph. Weather is not expected to be a meaningful factor in this game. Historical weather data for this game is preserved in the panel alongside. Weather data is sourced from WeatherAPI.com.
Clear
79°F
| Measure | Florida AtlanticAway | RiceHome |
|---|---|---|
| This week | 962 miles | 0 miles |
| Last week | Home game | 2,503 miles |
| Season total | 2,831 miles | 4,789 miles |
| Body clock | 19:00 | 18:00 |
| Rest | 7 days | 7 days |
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