Rice Unveils Promising 2026 Football Schedule

New head coach Jason Pierson inherits a manageable first-month slate.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 6:00am

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A cubist, geometric painting featuring overlapping planes of blue and gray, representing the Rice Owls football team and their upcoming opponents, conveying the strategic challenges and opportunities of the new season.The Rice Owls' 2026 football schedule presents a chance for the program to establish early momentum under new leadership.Ennis Today

Rice football, coming off a rare winning season, has announced its 2026 schedule under new head coach Jason Pierson. The schedule features a favorable start to the season, providing the first-year coach an opportunity to build momentum with his team.

Why it matters

Rice has struggled to find consistent success on the gridiron in recent years, so a favorable early-season schedule could help the new coaching staff establish a winning culture and energize the fan base. Pierson's prior experience at Red Oak should also provide optimism for Rice supporters.

The details

The 2026 Rice football schedule features four home games and three road contests in the first month of the season. The Owls open at home against FCS opponent Prairie View A&M, followed by a road trip to face in-state rival North Texas. Rice then returns home to host UTSA and Texas State before traveling to face Louisiana Tech and UAB in consecutive weeks.

  • The 2026 Rice football schedule was released on April 19, 2026.
  • Rice opens the season at home against Prairie View A&M on September 5, 2026.
  • The Owls travel to face North Texas on September 12, 2026.
  • Rice hosts UTSA on September 19, 2026 and Texas State on September 26, 2026.
  • The Owls hit the road to face Louisiana Tech on October 3, 2026 and UAB on October 10, 2026.

The players

Jason Pierson

The new head coach of the Rice Owls football team, Pierson previously served as an assistant coach at Red Oak High School for 10 years.

Rice Owls

The football team of Rice University, located in Houston, Texas. The Owls compete in the Conference USA.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to get the season started and build on the momentum from last year. This schedule gives us a chance to get off to a strong start and set the tone for the rest of the year.”

— Jason Pierson, Head Coach, Rice Owls

What’s next

Rice will continue preparations for the 2026 season, with the team's spring practice schedule and annual spring game expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The 2026 Rice football schedule provides new head coach Jason Pierson with a manageable start to his tenure, offering the opportunity to build momentum and confidence within the program. If the Owls can capitalize on this favorable early-season slate, it could set the stage for a potential breakout year in Conference USA.