UTSA Roadrunners vs Houston Cougars Prediction, 9/2/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: UTSA Roadrunners vs Houston Cougars

Date: Saturday, September 2, 2023

Location: TDECU Stadium in Houston, TX

TV: FS1

Odds/Point Spread: Cougars (-2)

Total/Over-Under: 60.5

TDECU Stadium is where the Houston Cougars (8-5 last year) will attempt to defeat the UTSA Roadrunners (11-3 last season) on Saturday, September 2, 2023. Houston opens this contest as 2-point favorites. The betting total comes in at 60.5.

The UTSA Roadrunners finished the season with a 11-3 record. The last time they took the field, the Roadrunners faced the Troy Trojans and took a loss by a final of 18-12. Frank Harris went 23/42 with 198 yds passing and 1 TD. He had a QB rating of 92.7 and finished the contest with 2 interceptions. Kevorian Barnes led the offense in rushing for the Roadrunners with 21 attempts for 132 yards (6.3 yds per carry). The UTSA Roadrunners ran the football 32 different times and recorded 147 yards, which had them averaging 4.6 yards per tote. In all, they had 74 plays which gave them 345 yards. UTSA relinquished 13 pass completions on 24 attempts for 113 yards, and a completion rate of 54.2%. When it came to stopping the run, the Roadrunners conceded 47 yds on 41 tries, which averages out to 1.1 yds per run allowed.

Regarding scoring points, the UTSA Roadrunners were sitting at 36.8 PPG. As a unit they averaged 175.3 yards in the run game, ranking them 50th in D-1. The Roadrunners earned 6,664 total yards for the prior season. UTSA compiled 34 touchdowns through the air and 28 touchdowns via the ground. UTSA accounted for 363 1st downs as a team, and they committed 98 infractions for 861 yards. They surrendered the football 20 different times.

Regarding passing yardage, the Roadrunners allowed 3,408 yards which ranked them 115th in Division 1. During their 14 games played last year, they allowed 243.4 yards per contest through the air and relinquishing a completion percentage of 57.9%. They gave up 387.2 yards per outing which put them 74th in college football. They allowed 21 passing touchdowns and 21 running touchdowns. They allowed 4.0 yards per tote and 143.8 rushing yards per game throughout last year. For the year, they gave up 2,013 rushing yards through 14 games. The Roadrunners were ranked 59th in D-1 in terms of team defense, allowing 25.9 PPG.

Get all of our College Football Expert Picks

The Cougars ended the year having earned a 8-5 mark. In their last game, the Cougars took home the win by a final score of 23-16 when they faced the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Clayton Tune carried the rock 11 times for 55 yds, ending the game with 5.0 yards per carry for Houston. Clayton Tune (3 touchdowns) finished the contest with 229 yards on 18/27 passing while his quarterback rating was 174.6. He didn't throw any picks and his average yards per attempt was 8.5. Houston allowed 33 running attempts for 129 yards (3.9 yds per rush). The Cougars pass defense allowed a completion rate of 67.7%, surrendering 194 yards on 21 out of 31 through the air. The Cougars finished with 363 yards while running 65 plays (5.6 yards per play). Houston rushed the football for 3.5 yards per tote, finishing the contest with 134 yards on 38 attempts.

The Houston Cougars held an average of 455.8 yards per contest, which was good for 25th in Division 1. The Houston offense had 915 yds of penalties on 103 infractions, which had them ranked 5th in the nation in terms of giving up free yards. For the prior season, the Cougars compiled 4,082 passing yards along with an average of 314.0 passing yards per contest, which had them ranked 8th in the country. Concerning the points being put on the board, the Cougars ranked 17th in the country averaging 36.1 points per game.

Houston surrendered a total of 1,862 rushing yards (143.2 yards per contest) and 18 touchdowns via the rush last season. They allowed 33 touchdowns through the air and 278.6 yards per outing, which put them in 122nd in Division 1. The Cougars defense participated in 928 plays, which had them ranked 102nd in Division 1. The Cougars surrendered 32.2 points per contest, which put them in 112th in the nation. Last year, they allowed 419 total points.

Who will win tonight's Roadrunners/Cougars college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Cougars -2

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here