Houston vs UTSA Predictions, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds & Picks
Texas Teams Square Off in Season Openers
No. 24 Houston Visits Lone Star Rival
Week 1 will commence for No. 24 Houston and the University of Texas-San Antonio when the Cougars meet the Roadrunners in San Antonio on Saturday.
Both are coming off positive 2021 campaigns, each winning 12 games behind some of the top offenses in their conferences.
The Houston Cougars finished second in the American Athletic Conference with a record of 12-2. The losses sandwiched an 11-game win streak, but a 17-13 win over Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl capped the Cougars’ season.
UTSA’s season looked much like Houston’s, as the Roadrunners began their season with an 11-game win streak to finish first in the Western Division of Conference USA. The Roadrunners won the Conference USA Championship with a 49-41 victory over Eastern winner Western Kentucky before falling to San Diego State 38-24 in the Miami Beach Bowl.
With Houston coming off a strong season, it will be competing with Cincinnati for the top spot in the American Athletic Conference. The Cougars are given the second-best odds to win at (+200), just behind Cincinnati’s (+195) odds. UTSA, meanwhile, is tied with UAB with the best chances to win Conference USA, with both teams given (+200) odds.
Let’s check the latest NCAAF picks, stats, injury reports, and NCAAF odds for Houston vs UTSA. We’ve plenty of NCAAF predictions for you to consider.
Houston: Potent Offense
Part of the reason Houston was so successful last season was because of the team’s offense. The Cougars averaged 35.9 points and 271.6 passing yards, both third most in the American Athletic Conference.
Houston will return its top quarterback and wide receiver duo, with Clayton Tune and Nathaniel Dell looking to replicate their 2021 seasons.
Tune finished last season 287 of 421 for 3,546 yards and 30 touchdowns, also throwing 10 interceptions. Dell was his trusted receiver with 90 receptions for 1,329 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Wide receivers Jeremy Singleton and Jake Herslow were the next two up. Singleton grabbed 29 receptions for 495 yards while Herslow had 36 catches for 480 yards. Both caught five touchdowns in 2021.
The Cougars will be without their top running back in Alton McCaskill, so it will be up to Ta’Zhawn Henry to lead the group. Henry closed out last season with 111 rushes for 513 yards and seven touchdowns.
With many of Houston’s key players back, the Cougars’ offense should be tough to stop once again.
UTSA to Rely on Passing Game
The Roadrunners also had a dominant offense last season and return a number of their starters as well.
UTSA averaged 36.9 points and 439 yards last season, the second-and third-most, respectively, in Conference USA.
Quarterback Frank Harris will be back under center after throwing for 3,177 yards, 27 touchdowns, and six interceptions off 263 of 398 attempts. He also rushed 109 times for 566 yards and six TDs.
Harris will get his top three receivers back, with Zakhari Franklin, Joshua Cephus, and De’Corian Clark all returning. Franklin led the squad with 81 receptions for 1,027 yards and 12 touchdowns while Cephus caught 71 passes for 803 yards and six touchdowns. Clark rounded the three with 52 receptions for 755 yards and seven touchdowns.
The ground game was where UTSA really shined last season, with the Roadrunners finishing second in the conference, averaging 183.5 yards a game.
The team was led by Sincere McCormick, who also led the conference by rushing for 1,479 yards on 298 rushes. He ran in 15 touchdowns as well.
McCormick moved on to the Las Vegas Raiders, where his first season is already over after being placed on IR. The Roadrunners will have to find a new running back to carry that load. Their passing game will also have to be relied upon to score, as all the major players will return in that area.
Houston vs UTSA Injury Report
Running back Alton McCaskill IV will miss the season for Houston after tearing his ACL in a non-contact drill in practice in April.
For UTSA, running back De’Anthony Lewis is out for the season after having knee surgery in the offseason.
Houston vs UTSA Head-to-Head
The Cougars and Roadrunners have played each other twice, with the series split. The last time the two met was in August 2014, when UTSA defeated Houston 27-7 on the road. Houston downed UTSA the year prior in San Antonio 59-28.
Houston vs UTSA Game Information
- Game: Houston vs UTSA
- Location: Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
- Day/Time: Saturday, Sept. 3, 3:30 p.m. ET
- Houston vs UTSA Live Stream: ESPN
Houston vs UTSA Prediction
Both teams are coming off 12-win seasons and head into 2022 with similar situations, bringing some top production back.
While Houston and UTSA both return their starting QBs and a number of receivers, the Cougars also have a more established run game. Although both teams will bring high-powered offense into the game, the Cougars’ defense should outplay that of the Roadrunners.
Expect the game in San Antonio to be a close one, however, Houston should be able to cover with a win on the road.
