FIU vs UTSA Predictions, Props & Updated Odds (Dec. 26)

• The UTSA Roadrunners are 5.5-point favorites over the FIU Panthers in the First Responder Bowl on December 26
• FIU is seeking its first 5-game win streak in program history
• See my FIU vs UTSA prediction, props picks, and odds for the First Responder Bowl below

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The FIU Panthers (7-5) are looking for a school record five wins in a row when they battle the UTSA Roadrunners in the First Responder Bowl this evening.

Despite a 4-game win streak, the books are siding with the Roadrunners, pegging them as the betting favorites in the CFB odds.

Kickoff is set for 8pm ET from Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX, home to the SMU Mustangs and ESPN will provide the coverage.

Read below for my First Responder Bowl prediction, props picks, and the latest FIU vs UTSA odds below.

FIU vs UTSA Prediction

There’s plenty of offensive firepower in this one, so I’m targeting the Over in my First Responder Bowl matchup.

UTSA is scoring a healthy 33.8 points per game, which puts them inside the Top 25 scoring teams in college football — and they’re doing it through the air and on the ground.

The Roadrunners rank inside the nation’s Top 60 in passing yards, averaging 243.7 yards per game, as well as rushing yards, at 169.9. Their 5.0 yards per carry sits 25th in college football.

They’re paced by running back Robert Henry Jr, who finished the year with 1,045 yards rushing and nine TDs while picking up nearly seven yards per carry (6.9) — though he did much of his damage early on in the season.

It was hardly a smooth end to the year for UTSA, though, finishing 3-3 and either killing it on offense to win, or getting blown out on the defensive side to lose. In their final three victories over Tulane, Charlotte and East Carolina, the Roadrunners averaged 44.7 points per contest, touching the 40+ point plateau twice.

In their final three losses, UTSA surrendered an average of 45.7 points per contest, including allowing two 55-point games to North Texas and South Florida.

The Panthers are playing their best football of the campaign, as this current four-game win streak to end the regular season propelled them to a bowl game — the first for the school in six years.

Their offense has been a big part of the success, averaging 29.3 points per game on the season, but taking it to another level over the next four games as they are averaging 45.7 points during this fun-run. They’ve hit the 56-point plateau twice.

A big part of their success is running back Kejone Owens, who earned Conference USA Player of the Year honours by rushing for 1,298 yards on a crisp 6.3 yards per rush, while scoring 11 TD’s.

But like their opponent, the Panthers aren’t putting up much resistance defensively, allowing 27.8 points per game, which ranks seventh in Conference USA.

Because of the high-octane offenses and low resistance defenses, you should be targeting the total.

Both teams have hit the Over with frequency: FIU has had the Over connect in four of its last six, while UTSA has gone Over the total six times in the last seven games.

FIU vs UTSA Player Props for First Responder Bowl

Odds as of Dec. 26. New customers can claim the FanDuel promo code and get a bonus to bet on CFB props.

Robert Henry Jr Under 68.5 Rushing Yards

Henry hasn’t really been the same explosive back as he was at the start of the season, as he’s been battling an undisclosed injury since Week 12 against Charlotte.

In his last game against Army, Henry ran for just 62 yards on 13 carries. That makes it four straight games that he hasn’t scored a TD or cleared 100 yards.

Whatever ailment he’s fighting is eating into his production, and I don’t think he’ll be able to take advantage of a middling FIU run defense that ranks fifth in Conference USA in rush yards allowed at 159.6.

Kejon Owens Over 91.5 Rushing Yards

Kejon Owens picked the perfect time to get hot handling the rock. He’s coming off back-to-back 100+ yard rush games, gashing Jacksonville State for 135 yards and a TD on 21 carries, following that up with a 124 yards on 15 carries against Sam Houston.

UTSA is seventh in their conference in rushing defense, allowing 155.5 yards per game on the ground, and they’ll be trying to contain an FIU rushing offense that churns out better than 190 yards rushing per game.

Owen McCown Over 1.5 TD Passes

UTSA QB Owen McCown sits 12th in the NCAA in TD passes with 27, and he should be in good position to top his 1.5 TD pass line Friday.

McCown has been on fire coming home down the back stretch, throwing for 15 TDs against just three interceptions in the last five games, going Over the total in four of them

FIU allowed the third most passing TDs in its conference this season, with 23.

FIU vs UTSA Odds

If you’re thinking upset, bet365 has the Panthers as 6-point underdogs in the college football odds, and +190 on the moneyline, courtesty of BetMGM.

The Roadrunners are a distant -225 on the moneyline from bet365, while the Over can be found at 59.5 points, while FanDuel is giving you an extra half point, in case you want to take the Under.

Odds as of Dec. 26 from consensus college football betting apps.