Texas State vs. Navy: Time, Date, TV Channel, 2025 Armed Forces Bowl Preview
It’s bowl season, which means we have a lot of football to watch between Dec. 13 and Jan. 19! Ohio State, Utah, Georgia Southern, Army, Texas A&M — and just about everyone in between — will take part in a total of 47 games that will ultimately conclude with the 2026 CFP National Championship.
NESN has you covered with previews for each and every game — with our next contest featuring two teams from the same state:
2026 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
Matchup: Texas State Bobcats vs. Rice Owls
Date: Friday, Jan. 2, 2026
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
Stadium: Amon G. Carter Stadium – Fort Worth, Texas
TV: ESPN
Game Overview
The Armed Forces Bowl typically features… well, the Armed Forces… but will take place between two teams who aren’t named Army, Navy or Air Force for the first time since 2020.
Texas State and Rice, who last played in the 2023 First Responders Bowl, will meet for just the fifth time in program history on Friday.
Team Overviews
Texas State Bobcats
Conference: Sun Belt
Head Coach: G.J. Kinnie
Record: 6-6
Texas State is looking for its third consecutive bowl game victory, which would keep them undefeated in postseason contests (2-0) since entering the FBS in 2012.
The Bobcats have taken a step back this season, following up back-to-back 7-5 regular season finishes with a 6-6 record that has included unsurprising losses to James Madison and Arizona State.
G.J. Kinnie’s squad can put points on the board, however, as they averaged 36.1 points per game (12th of 136) in 2025.
Rice Owls
Conference: American
Head Coach: Scott Abell
Record: 5-7
Rice hasn’t had as much recent success, with its last postseason victory coming in the 2014 Hawai’i Bowl.
The Owls don’t have very much to hang their hat on, as they ranked near the bottom of the FBS in points scored per game (19.8; 119th of 136) and points allowed per game (32.2; 120th of 136).
Players to Watch
Texas State
QB Brad Jackson
RB Lincoln Pare
WR Beau Sparks
WR Chris Dawn Jr.
DL Kalil Alexander
LB Donterry Russell
LB Treylin Payne
DB Jaden Rios
Rice
QB Patrick Crayton Jr.
RB Quinton Jackson
WR Aaron Turner
DL Tony Ayanwu
DL Michael Daley
LB Andrew Awe
LB Ty Anthony Morris
Key Notes
Rice starting quarterback Chase Jenkins opted out and will not play in the Armed Forces Bowl.
Betting Lines
DraftKings Sportsbook: Texas State -16.5 | O/U 57.5
FanDuel Sportsbook: Texas State -15.5 | O/U 57.5
BetMGM Sportsbook: Texas State -16.5 | O/U 57.5
The Pick: Texas State -16.5