UTSA Roadrunners 2023 College Football Preview
June 27, 2023
2022 Recap
Record – 11-3
ATS – 7-7
“Here we go again. Again.” <Tugg Speedman> <Scorcher VI – Global Meltdown>
The Roadrunners coasted thru the Conference USA schedule (again) and ripped North Texas apart in the big game to book their 2nd consecutive conference title. They were upset by Troy in a hard-fought Cure Bowl (L 18-12) but still finished the campaign with eleven wins. They’re now 23-5 over the last two years and will move into the AAC in 2023. Can they continue to dominate the competition?
UTSA Roadrunners 2023 Outlook
OFFENSE
Star QB Frank Harris is back for his seventh season and we love it! He’s very talented and fun to watch (4,059, 32-9 TD to INT, 9 rush TD LY). The THROW GAME will be dynamic this year as Harris gets to work with four of his top-five WR/TE targets from LY including 2nd Team AAC honoree WR Joshua Cephus (87, 985, 6 TD). RB Kevorian Barnes was a 1st Team AAC producer and the team’s leading rusher LY (851, 6.3, TD) and don’t forget that Harris has excellent mobility (600, #3 rusher). The offensive line is a deep group filled with upperclassmen including three returning starters. They’ve got the QB, the #1 RB along with some depth, and a loaded WR/TE buffet. Yup, they’ll be really good on offense.
DEFENSE
The Roadrunners have played good, but not great defense over the L3Y (#4, #7, #5 YPP). Things look pretty solid heading into this season as they return eight starters to the stop unit. Almost everyone is retained up front making it a deep and talented group and they’ve got a great duo at LB in Jamal Ligon (#1 tackler LY) and Trey Moore (17 TFL) (!). Star safety Rashad Wisdom leads a good-looking secondary but it’ll hurt to lose a pair of 1st Team AAC players that combined for an impossible 26 PBU LY (Chattman, Mayfield). This appears to be one of the better defenses in the AAC.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter Lucas Dean is coming off an excellent season (45.1, 42.4 net) but there’s a yuuuge hole to fill at PK given the departure of ROBOT Jared Sackett (59-59 XP, 22-27 FG LY). KR Chris Carpenter took one all the way to the CRIBBY HIZZY from 97 yards away in 2022.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The Roadrunners will have to deal with a pair of tough road games in non-conference action (Houston, Tennessee) but home dates with Texas St and Army will almost certainly result in victories. They avoid Memphis and SMU in AAC play but check out the season finale. UTSA travels down to New Orleans to battle Tulane on November 25th. That game just might be a must-win DEATH MATCH for both squads trying to get into the title game.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing overly-spooky is noted.
Season Win Total
Market consensus June 27
Over 7.5 -155
Under 7.5 +125
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
This is one of the most talented teams in the conference and the schedule isn’t a bear.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Excluding bowl games, HC Jeff Traylor is 30-7 with the Roadrunners, and that includes a devastating record of 12-4 on the road.
Next time you are in town to see the Roadrunners, don’t forget to check out the HAUNTED RAILROAD TRACKS just south of San Antonio. We can’t figure the legend out completely, but it involves children and a school bus tragedy. Whatever the case may be, this “legend” is 110% more believable than masks stopping a virus, or the incredible tale of the “safety” and “effectiveness” of the DEATH JAB. People just love a good story!
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
This is gonna be fun, yo. It’s not typical to see a team have this much success over a two year period and bring back the HC, QB, and several other stars for another kick at the can. The jump to the AAC will be mitigated by the departure of some good teams to the Big 12, and let’s be honest, UTSA was a cut above the competition in Conference USA anyway. They look strong on both sides of the ball and have a great shot to make the AAC Championship Game. Let’s goooo!