UTSA Roadrunners 2026 College Football Preview
Posted June 27, 2026
2025 Recap
Record – 7-6
ATS – 7-6
“You’re on a gravy train with biscuit wheels!”
— Ernie McCracken (“Big Ern”), Kingpin (1996)
UTSA knows that feeling all too well. The Roadrunners were riding high not long ago — 12 wins in 2021 and a CUSA title, followed by 11 wins in 2022 and another CUSA championship. But ever since jumping to the AAC, the biscuit wheels have been wobbling. They’ve posted 9 wins, then back-to-back 7-win seasons, and now the question is whether this program can stop the slide and get back to contending.
UTSA Roadrunners 2026 Outlook
OFFENSE
2025 By The Numbers (American):
- Scoring: 35.5 PPG (#3 American)
- Total Offense: 418.8 YPG (#5 American)
- Rushing: 171.2 YPG (#9 American)
- Passing: 247.6 YPG (#6 American)
- Sacks Allowed: 21 (#8 American)
The Roadrunners put up plenty of points last season, but they didn’t quite blow people up on the ground or through the air the way we’ve seen in recent years.
There’s great news heading into 2026 with the return of star QB Owen McCown. He threw for 2,995 yards last season (67.6%, 30 TD, 7 INT) and he’s one of our favorites. We’re expecting big things from him — especially if he can stay close to 100% healthy for most of the campaign.
The WR room lost some overall explosiveness last year, but AJ Wilson did his part and he’s back to provide some home run ability (career YPC, 21.9!). Former WR1 Devin McCuin is off to Ohio St, but David Amador II should step up and deliver consistent production. The big question is whether they can find that third or fourth receiver to really make the THROW GAME hum. The TE room is a bit of a question mark as well. Overall, this looks like an above-average group of weapons — but nothing close to elite.
At running back, Robert Henry Jr. was an absolute CHEAT CODE at times last season (1,045 rushing yards, 9 TDs). He’s since taken his talent to the NFL. The good news? The position remains one of the stronger units in the American. They’ve got a legit lead back in Will Henderson III (866 yards, 6.9 avg, 6 TDs as a freshman) and solid depth behind him. The offensive line should be in good shape too — the Roadrunners return three starters with over 50 combined career starts among the group.
DEFENSE
2025 By The Numbers (American):
- Scoring: 28.8 PPG (#8 American)
- Total Defense: 372.3 YPG (#5 American)
- Rushing Defense: 149.6 YPG (#6 American)
- Passing Defense: 222.7 YPG (#5 American)
- Sacks: 24 (#6 American)
In 2025, the defense was a disappointment for the second straight season, and the run defense really fell off a cliff (150 YPG after allowing just 109 YPG in 2024). The Roadrunners have a few DL holdovers from last year’s squad, but the majority of the heavy lifting up front will be done by new additions. They’ve got good size in the middle, but we’re not convinced they have any game-changing PENETRATORS on the edge. Two names to watch in that regard are transfer DE Jeremiah Bailey (Eastern Kentucky), who showed some promise with the Colonels, and holdover Tai Leonard.
The linebacker corps doesn’t appear to have any clear standouts after the loss of leading tackler Shad Banks (who moved on to the NFL). They do have a pair of experienced holdovers to help pick up the slack in Owen Pewee and Brandon Tucker. The secondary is in full rebuild mode after losing four starters, so the Roadrunners will be counting on several new faces to make an immediate impact. Veteran safety Nate Robinson was productive at Marist, and DB/LB Archie Chambers brings high-upside JUCO pedigree — he posted 68 tackles and 2 INTs last year at Copiah-Lincoln CC.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Roadrunners finished #109 in the Phil Steele special teams rankings last year, but they return basically everyone, including PK Michael Petro (17/20 FG). The pieces are in place for a solid jump up the rankings in 2026.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The non-conference slate is no joke (at Texas and at Texas St), but the Roadrunners should still be 2-2 when American play begins. The conference schedule is one of the softer ones in the league — they dodge Army, Memphis, and East Carolina whilst getting three of their biggest games at home against North Texas, Navy, and South Florida.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Texas (Sept 19)
UTSA comes off a revenge game at Texas St and then have to hit the HIGHWAY again to face mighty Texas. Not a spot where we’re looking to back the road underdog.
Season Win Total
Market consensus – June 27
Over 7.5 -125
Under 7.5 +105
MEGALOCKS says:
No leanage.
We have a slight lean toward the over, but we probably won’t get to the window. They’ve won exactly seven games in each of the last two seasons, and there are some TOUGH HOMBRES on the docket.
Note – Our official list of season win total investments will be posted in the blog section of the website.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
In 1977, UTSA held a mascot election. The roadrunner got completely snubbed in round one as armadillos and stars took the top spots. But after the results were voided, the speedy bird staged a dramatic comeback and was crowned the official mascot in December 1977. Four years later, ROWDY famously hatched from a giant egg at a basketball pep rally. Trivia gold, bay-bee.
UTSA was symbolically born on June 5, 1969, with its founding ceremony held right in front of the historic Alamo, forever linking the university to San Antonio’s most iconic landmark. When your birth story starts at the Alamo, you’re basically contractually obligated to bring drama, yo.
HC Jeff Traylor is 33-6 at home (4-2 in 2025).
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
The Roadrunners are coming off a pair of disappointing seasons that fell short of their usual high standards, but the pieces are in place for UTSA to make a legitimate run at a conference title. They’ve got one of the best QBs in the Group of Six and an offense that should be tough to stop — they just need the defense to step up and deliver more than it did last year.
The conference schedule sets them up nicely with some massive home games, and we view the Roadrunners as a major player in a very competitive American.
Birds Up!