2018
Texas San Antonio
College Football
Betting Preview
UTSA did a little more than most expected last year and a surprising win at Baylor in the first Game of the season highlighted that. After going 6-5, the Roadrunners are in that same range, but have an over/under of five wins due to a more difficult Schedule. Their odds to win C-USA are low at +5500 5Dimes Sportsbook, putting them just above the pushovers in the West division.
The problem for UTSA this season is on the offensive side where only three starters return from a group that only scored 23.5 points per Game. Frank Wilson brought in veteran Al Borges to lead the offense as he’s been all over the place as an offensive coordinator, namely Auburn, SDSU and Michigan. Bettering this group will take some time as quarterback likely won’t be decided until the fall. Sophomore Bryce Rivers has the leg up over JUCO transfer Cordale Grundy after attempting eight passes and tossing two interceptions as a backup last year. Running back is the most proven area in the offense led by Jalen Rhodes (659 yards, 5 TDs), while receiver is a bit unknown with Greg Campbell (300 yards) the top returnee. Campbell is joined by freshman Tariq Woolen and a former defensive end is the starting tight end in T.J. King. The line returns three starters, but a couple of them are switching positions so growing pains are likely with that group.
Defense was the main reason this team was relevant last year and reaching those same levels will be extremely difficult considering it allowed just 17 points per Game. The Roadrunners will still be solid up front, but losing their sack master won’t make things easier in getting to the quarterback. The returning talent on the line along with linebacker Josiah Tauaefa should keep the group solid, but only two starters return on the back end with two new faces at cornerback. This defense destroyed most C-USA offenses last season, but doing that again will take some work and it needs someone like Eric Banks or Kevin Strong to really take over on the line.
The problem for UTSA is that it probably won’t win its first three Games again. In fact, the Roadrunners will likely lose their first three unless they can somehow knock off Baylor again, which seems unlikely this time around. The second half of the season isn’t more favorable with nothing on the Schedule looking truly easy. Trips to USM, UAB and Marshall could all be losses while LA. Tech and North Texas both come to UTSA. With an unknown at quarterback, this offense will struggle to put points on the board all season even if Rhodes pushes 1,000 rushing yards. The defense won’t be able to dominate as much and that likely means no bowl Game again after getting snubbed with six wins last year.
2018 UTSA Roadrunners Football Schedule
Sept. 1 at Arizona State
Sept. 8 vs. Baylor
Sept. 15 at Kansas State
Sept. 22 vs. Texas State
Sept. 29 vs. UTEP
Oct. 6 at Rice
Oct. 13 vs. Louisiana Tech
Oct. 20 at Southern Miss
Nov. 3 at UAB
Nov. 10 vs. Florida International
Nov. 17 at Marshall
Nov. 24 vs. North Texas