Eager to become bowl-eligible with a victory, the Southern Methodist Mustangs will hit the field this Saturday for a Conference USA showdown with the Rice Owls.

The Mustangs moved to 4-2 in conference play with a 28-point win over Southern Miss in Week 11, and will enter Saturday's game in search of their fourth consecutive win over the Owls. Still reeling from their disastrous 42-17 loss to Central Florida on Nov. 3, the Mustangs will continue ride the arm of junior signal caller Garrett Gilbert. The 6'4, 210-pound Gilbert completed 13 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown against Rice while playing with the Texas Longhorns last season.

Hopeful to also become eligible for a bowl needed two wins to close out their schedule, the Owls have reeled off three victories over their last four games after starting the year with a miserable 1-5 record. Dual-threat junior quarterback Taylor McHargue leads a rushing attack that ranks 28th in the country at 204.3 yards per game, but he has not tossed multiple touchdowns in a game since Week 4.

Game time: 2:30 CT

TV channel: n/a

Spread: SMU -3.5