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Texas State Favored Over Rice in 2026 Armed Forces Bowl

1/1/2026

24 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The 2026 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl will pit Rice Owls against Texas State Bobcats on January 2, 2026, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth.
Texas State enters as a 15.5-point favorite after three straight wins and stands 6-6.
Rice Owls qualified for the bowl with APR scores despite a 5-7 season.
Chase Jenkins opted out for the transfer portal.
Patrick Crayton Jr. will start at quarterback.

History

Historical Context

The Armed Forces Bowl, established in 2006, reflects the military's role in American sports, initially sponsored by the U.S. Army. This year's matchup between Rice Owls and Texas State Bobcats highlights the evolving nature of college football, where academic performance increasingly influences bowl eligibility, as seen with Rice's Academic Progress Rate scores, amidst a landscape of over 80 bowl games by 2016.

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Story summary

The 2026 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl will pit Rice Owls against Texas State Bobcats on January 2, 2026, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth.
Texas State enters as a 15.5-point favorite after three straight wins and stands 6-6.
Rice Owls qualified for the bowl with APR scores despite a 5-7 season.
Chase Jenkins opted out for the transfer portal.
Patrick Crayton Jr. will start at quarterback.

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