UTSA vs Texas Odds and Picks

• The Texas Longhorns host the UTSA Roadrunners in a first-ever matchup between the schools
• Texas almost upset Alabama last week, while UTSA has gone to overtime in both starts this season
• See below for odds, analysis and our betting prediction

One week ago, the Texas Longhorns were this close to upsetting the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.

A week later, they’re the ones hoping to avoid the upset, as they host the upstart UTSA Roadrunners.

The Conference USA champs from a year ago, UTSA features an explosive offense that has already lit up scoreboards to start the season.

While the college football odds are still clearly in Texas’ favor, the Longhorns are dealing with several key injuries that at least turn the wheels for an upset.

USTA vs Texas Odds

Odds as of September 16th from Barstool Sporstbook. 

Texas is a healthy 12.5-point favorite in this matchup, the first ever between the two schools. The game features a total of 61, with the Longhorns a steep -530 favorite on the moneyline.

It all gets underway Saturday night (Sept 17) from DKR – Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin at 8pm ET, in a game that can be seen live on LHN.

Weather shouldn’t be a issue, with partly cloudy skies and a warm 90 degrees at kickoff.

Texas Betting Outlook

The biggest issue for the Longhorns in this one comes from the injury toll they suffered in their 20-19 loss to Alabama last week.

At quarterback, Quinn Ewers suffered a collarbone injury to his non-throwing side, but he’s expected to be sidelined for about 4-6 weeks. Ewers couldn’t make it out of the first half, but he did light up the ‘Tide in his short stint, going  9-for-12 for 134 yards.

Quinn Ewers is SPECIAL 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2GN09uPShk

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) September 10, 2022

Who replaces him isn’t exactly clear. Hudson Card came in for relief duty against ‘Bama and suffered an ankle injury. According to reports, he’s been splitting first-team reps this week with redshirt freshman Charles Wright.

Part of the 2021 recruiting class, Wright has made a pair of appearances, one against Texas Tech in 2021, and this year against Louisiana-Monroe in the 52-10 season-opening win. He has yet to attempt a pass in his Longhorns career.

Texas RB Bijan Robinson with his second rushing TD of the season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/M82UeEtOHn

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) September 10, 2022

If that’s not enough, starting running back Bijan Robinson (shoulder) is also dinged up. He racked up 57 yards on 21 carries and a score against Alabama.

Also notable is the status of starting corner D’Shawn Jamison (leg), as the Roadrunners feature two top-25 receiving-yardage leaders in FBS.

Card, Robinson and Jamison are all considered day-to-day.

UTSA Betting Outlook

Texas-San Antonio has been putting in a lot of work this season. In two games, they’ve already played four OT’s as they’ve started out 1-1.

Their offense is spearheaded by QB Frank Harris, who’s been dynamite to start the year. Harris opened going 28-for-43 for 337 yards, with three TD’s and an interception in a 37-35 3OT loss to the then-24th ranked Houston Cougars. He also added a spectacular 38-yard TD run.

Frank Harris with an electrifying run to give UTSA a 14-7 lead over #AAC favourites Houston 👀

Harris is the epitome of a do-it-all quarterback 🔥

pic.twitter.com/j6VM2PrOei

— Oliver Hodgkinson (@ojhodgkinson) September 3, 2022

Harris followed that up with a gem in a 41-38 OT win over Army, a game UTSA trailed by as many as 14 points in the second half. He went 32-for-45 for 359 yards and another three TD strikes.

This is a team that lights up the scoreboard: last year, en route to a 12-2 mark and conference title, they averaged a whopping 38.9 points per game.

💤‼️

We're all tied up in West Point.#210TriangleOfToughness #LetsGo210 | #BirdsUp 🤙 pic.twitter.com/5OMXBjIAnh

— UTSA Football 🏈 (@UTSAFTBL) September 10, 2022

Zakhari Franklin has caught 10 balls in both games this season, and has cracked 100+ yards receiving in both games, scoring three TD’s.

Joshua Cephus also has a 10-reception game under his belt,  also opening with back-to-back 100-yard receiving games, with a touchdown.

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USTA vs Texas Pick

This is a low-key terrific matchup, and it will be interesting to see if Texas can play at a high level again after such an emotional and deflating loss.

If any or all of their injured players can’t go, expect the defense to try and pick up the slack. Linebacker Jaylan Ford was a force against ‘Bama, with two tackles for losses and a sack. For the game, Texas put up six TFL.

The Roadrunners are now 6-0 against the spread in their last six September games, and a sparkling 15-4 ATS as underdogs in their last 19.

Texas has just a 2-3-1 mark ATS as double-digit favorites. Look for Harris to keep up the tempo and pile on points. They may not win, but UTSA should be able to stay within range in this one.

The Pick: UTSA +12.5 (-110)