Now that this line has dropped below the key number of 3, I'm comfortable playing the Owls on the road against a Charlotte team that also is in its first year under a new head coach. Even though Rice had the least amount of returning offensive production in the country entering the season, the Owls already have won on the road this year, against a Louisiana team that went 10-4 last season and went to a bowl game. Though they got blown out by Houston, the Cougars figure to be a difficult out in the Big 12. Most importantly, the 49ers have a short week to prepare for Rice's option attack, which forces defenses to be assignment-sound. I like the Owls in a low-scoring game.