UTSA Roadrunners vs Houston Cougars NCAAF Week 1 Preview and Prediction September 1, 2023
Posted 10 months ago | Betting Previews and Predictions, NCAAF | 3 comments
UTSA vs Houston September 1, 2023 @ Houston TX
Opening Betting Odds
Spread: UTSA PK -110, Houston PK -110
Moneyline: Utsa-110, Houston -110
Total: 61
Preview
These teams faced each other in Week 1 last season, and Houston escaped with a 37-35 win in triple-overtime. Frank Harris threw for 337 yards and three TDs on 28-of-43 passing in a losing effort, and he’s back for his senior year with the Roadrunners. Harris threw for over 4,000 yards, 39 touchdowns and just nine interceptions in 2022.
Clayton Tune threw for 206 yards and three touchdowns on 22-of-32 passing in the win over UTSA last year, and after a solid season in Houston he was drafted in the 5th round by the Arizona Cardinals.
The bookmakers have set the total at 61 in anticipation for another epic shootout, and this figures to be one of the most intriguing matchups that Week 1 has to offer.
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UTSA
- 11-3 Overall in 2022
- 8-0 in the C-USA in 2022
- 7-7 ATS in 2022
The Roadrunners will make the move to the American Athletic Conference, and it should be a soft landing. They come in expected to contend for a conference championship with 12 starters returning on an offense that ranked 13th nationally in passing last year. Senior quarterback Frank Harris has plenty of targets to throw to, including Josh Cephus, De’Corian Clark and tight end Oscar Cardenas.
This is a team that is 30-10 in the last three seasons under head coach Jeff Traylor, and they have won back-to-back conference championships. A solid defense might be even better in 2023, with seven starters returning, including outside linebacker Trey Moore, who led the team in sacks as a freshman.
Houston
- 8-5 Overall in 2022
- 5-3 in the AAC in 2022
- 5-8 ATS in 2022
After a disappointing final season in the American Athletic Conference, Houston will step up in class joining the BIG12. Replacing starting quarterback Clayton Tune and star receiver Tank Dell isn’t going to be easy. Texas Tech transfer Donovan Smith is most likely their best option at quarterback, and last year’s leading rusher Stacy Sneed returns for 2023. We might expect Dana Holgorsen to lean on his running game early on this season.
The defense was a huge disappointment last season, ranking 112th nationally allowing 32.2 points per game. This is after ranking 1st in the American Athletic Conference in total defense in 2021. Don’t be surprised if Holgorsen gets this unit back on track after bolstering his secondary through the transfer portal.
Relevant Trends:
- The Roadrunners are 16-7 ATS in their last 23 road games.
- The Cougars are 1-6 ATS in their last seven home games.
- The over is 5-0 in the Roadrunners last five games in September.
- The over is 9-3 in the Roadrunners last 12 road games.
- The over is 10-3 in the Cougars last 13 games overall.
Prediction: UTSA 31 – Houston 27
While last year’s game was a shootout, keep in mind the total in regulation landed on 48. The bookmakers have listed a big number here, and it might be difficult for both these teams to score 30+ points given the new rules regarding clock stoppages. We might expect a different look from Houston offensively, with an increased focus on running the ball. Ultimately the Roadrunners should prevail with such a significant edge in returning talent.
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3 comments on UTSA Roadrunners vs Houston Cougars NCAAF Week 1 Preview and Prediction September 1, 2023
Yout prediction sucks! Both these teams score 30+ and the total goes way over. UTSA is stacked with all their big guys back on offense, and Houston can’t stop em. UTSA ain’t stopping the Cougars, it’s just gonna be back and forth and a shootout!
The Cougars are in trouble here. Dana Holgorsen ain’t what he used to be, and this team isn’t going to be ready for a UTSA team that probably should have beat them last year.
No way the Roadrunners come into Houston and win this game. Holgorsen is gonna have the boys ready and the Cougars are gonna roll! This isn’t gonna be close, I like Cougars by double digits!