UTSA Roadrunners 2022 College Football Preview
June 27, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 12-2
ATS – 9-5
Yes, guy.
The Roadrunners had a wonderfully successful season that started with an impossible 11-game (!) winning streak to start the campaign. They took down the potent Hilltoppers in the Conference USA Championship Game (W 49-41, a MEGALOCKS 9000 STAR CLOT SHOT DEATH SEIZURE POWER PLAY LOCK loser) and ended the year at 12-2 after falling to San Diego St in the Frisco Bowl.
Jeff Traylor and friends have built a strong program. Do they have what it takes to win another title?
UTSA Roadrunners 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
Let’s talk balance, buh buh. The Roadrunners were #43 in the FBS in both rushing offense (184 YPG) and passing offense (256 YPG) LY as they rolled to a conference title. QB Frank Harris blossomed into a star (27-6 TD to INT, 66%, 566 rush 6 TD) and is back for a final season in 2022. Bad news for opposing secondaries. The Roadrunners bring back their top-four targets at WR/TE including 1st Team C-USA honoree Zakhari Franklin (81,1,027,12 TD). The yuuuge concern with UTSA is how to replace the production of the great RB Sincere McCormick (1,479, 15 TD, 22 receptions LY) who finished his career in San Antonio as the school’s all-time leading rusher. Arkansas transfer Trelon Smith will get the first shot at being THE MAN and they also bring back #2 RB Brenden Brady. The OL features four starters and over 120 career starts and recall that they allowed just 21 sacks in 14G LY. They should be able to overcome the loss of their NFL-bound LT Spencer Burford. This still looks like a team that will SCORE THE FOOTBALL on the regular.
DEFENSE
The UTSA stop unit was just as important as their potent offense in 2021. They allowed 24.6 PPG whilst being a brick wall vs the run (115 YPG, #14 FBS) and getting after the QB (33 sacks, #4 C-USA). The Roadrunners bring back just five starters this year and need to replace #1 sack man LB Clarence Hicks (10.5). On the plus side, they return some talented doods including their top-three tacklers and look solid at every level of the defense. Things look good up front if they can find a pass rush, they’re deep at linebacker, and leading tackler Rashad Wisdom leads a talented secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS
UTSA has the best punter in the conference in Lucas Dean (45.2, 42.5 net) and the ageless Jared Sackett comes back to take over the PK duties (2017-2018). Dadrian Taylor is a good KR (24.8) but they need to find a replacement for PR Sheldon Jones who made a HOUSE CALL in 2021.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – They’ve got a tough non-conference schedule (Houston, at Army, at Texas) and must battle UAB ON THE HIGHWAY.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing too spooky is noted.
Season Win Total
per BetOnline June 27
Over 8 +100
Under 8 -130
MEGALOCKS says:
No leanage.
These guys are really talented but could easily start the season 1-2. GUN to the HEAD selection would be a sprinkle on the ‘over’ but we’ll probably take a pass.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
The Roadrunners are still searching for their first bowl game victory (0-3).
HC Jeff Traylor boasts an impressive 8-2 mark ATS as an underdog.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
The MEGALOCKS SEASON PREVIEW DEPARTMENT had the Roadrunners smoked out last year when they opined the following…..“This should be a fun year in San Antonio. They have a really good offense led by a superstar RB and an underrated stop unit. They’re hungry and have one of the most talented rosters in Conference USA. The late season clash with the Blazers will likely determine the winner of the West division.”
These guys have a great shot to DOUBLE UP in 2022. The roster is loaded and we believe they stand head-and-shoulders above the competition in C-USA along with UAB. That November 5th game in Birmingham will almost certainly decide the division winner once again.
Birds Up !
Want more UTSA Football ?
WEBSITE
https://goutsa.com/sports/football
FORUM
https://utsa.forums.rivals.com/forums/roadrunner-way.10/
https://utsa.forums.rivals.com/forums/utsa-boulevard-premium.14/
NEWS
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2636/utsa-roadrunners