UTSA Roadrunners vs Houston Cougars Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 09/02/2023

Game Time: 7:00 pm ET, Saturday, September 2, 2023

Venue:  TDECU Stadium, Houston, TX

Where to Watch:  Fox Sports 1

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  UTSA -1, Houston +1; Over/Under:  60.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  UTSA -1, Houston +1; Over/Under:  60.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  UTSA -1, Houston +1; Over/Under:  60.5 points

UTSA Roadrunners:  0-0 (AAC)

Houston Cougars:  0-0 (Big 12)

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UTSA Roadrunners:  N/A

Houston Cougars:  N/A

UTSA finished last season with an 11-3 record overall and they had an 8-0 record in their conference games too. They were 6-1 in their home games, 5-1 in their road games, and they were also 0-1 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be on the road for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 36.8 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 25.9 points per game. Their offense also averaged 476 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 387.2 yards per game. Frank Harris led the team in passing yards with 4063, Kevorian Barnes led the team in rushing yards with 845, and Zakhari Franklin led the team in receiving yards with 1136.

 

 

 

Houston finished last season with an 8-5 record overall and they had a 5-3 record in their conference games too. They were 3-3 in their home games, 4-2 in their road games, and they were also 1-0 in their neutral site games last season, but they will be at home for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 36.1 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 32.2 points per game. Their offense also averaged 455.8 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 421.8 yards per game. Clayton Tune led the team in passing yards with 4074, Clayton Tune led the team in rushing yards with 544, and Nathaniel Dell led the team in receiving yards with 1398.

The current betting odds have UTSA listed as a 1 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. UTSA had a really good season last year with their 11-3 record overall and they were 8-0 in their conference games as they have been dominating their conference the past few years. Jeff Traylor has really turned this program around and now they are in a new conference this season which they will be looking to impress in. They open up their season on the road against Houston who has also joined a new conference this season but Houston was only 8-5 overall and they were 5-3 in their conference games as they struggled against AAC opponents which UTSA is now one. Houston has been on the decline over the last year and they also lost a lot of talent in the transfer portal too. This UTSA team has done nothing but improve their team though and they will definitely bring their best effort for this road game against another Texas team. UTSA is better on both sides of the ball though and they are going to win this game to open their season with a statement. The best way to place a bet here is on UTSA to cover the spread in this game. 

UTSA Houston Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, September 2, 2023 (7:00 pm ET start time) is UTSA 35 Houston 24.

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UTSA Roadrunners: 9-3 ATS in road games. 13-6 ATS in the first two weeks of the season. 6-2 OVER as a road favorite. 9-3 OVER in road games. 

Houston Cougars: 3-8 ATS in home games. 3-6 ATS in September games. 17-9 OVER in all games. 6-1 OVER as an underdog. 6-3 OVER against Conference USA opponents.

UTSA Roadrunners:  D. Clark (WR) Ques Sat - Leg.

Houston Cougars:  R. Sanford II (RB) out for season - Undisclosed.

“I remember telling them, if you give me this $40-45 million building, I’ll never ask you for anything else, and we’ll win all the games that you want to win.” - Jeff Traylor on keeping up financially in their new conference. 

"Nobody thinks we're any good. Let's line up and see. We're underdogs at home. Can't wait." - Dana Holgorsen on his team coming into this new college football season.

WR Clark, De'Corian 

WR Clark, De'Corian 

WR Cephus, Joshua 

TE Cardenas, Oscar 

QB Harris, Frank 

RB Barnes, Kevorian 

WR Brown, Samuel 

WR Golden, Matthew 

WR Manjack IV, Joseph 

TE Byrnes, Matt 

QB Smith, Donovan 

RB Mathis Jr., Tony 

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Coaches:

UTSA Roadrunners: Jeff Traylor (4th season)

Houston Cougars: Dana Holgorsen (5th season)