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Houston vs. UTSA Week 1 Betting: Expect Roadrunners to Keep Things Close
Written by: Devon Platana
Last Updated:
Read Time: 4 minutes
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Although the 2022 NCAA college football season technically began last week, things really kick off in a few days with Week 1. Among the top first-week matchups is a showdown between the No. 24 Houston Cougars and UTSA Roadrunners.
Dana Holgorsen is back for his fourth season as the Houston coach following a 12-2 run last fall. Although the Cougars winded up losing to Cincinnati in the AAC Championship game, they did end the year on a high note, defeating Auburn at the Birmingham Bowl by a final score of 17-13.
Meanwhile, UTSA also went 12-2 in 2021 and even defeated Western Kentucky to win the C-USA Championship. Even though they lost the Frisco Bowl, the Roadrunners are facing high expectations this year, leaving time to tell if they can meet them.
Here are BetOnline Sportsbook’s latest Cincinnati vs. Arkansas betting odds, as well as a prediction and best bet for the upcoming NCAAF tilt.
Houston vs. UTSA Matchup Information and Betting Odds
Matchup Information
- Matchup: No. 24 Houston Cougars (0-0) vs. UTSA Roadrunners (0-0)
- Venue & Location: Alamodome (San Antonio, Texas)
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022
- Game Time: 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time
- Where to Watch Houston vs. UTSA: CBSSN
Houston vs. UTSA Odds
Game odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.
Spread
- Houston Cougars -4.5 (-110)
- UTSA Roadrunners +4.5 (-110)
Over/Under
- Over 61.5 (-114)
- Under 61.5 (-106)
Moneyline
- Houston Cougars -192
- UTSA Roadrunners +158
Houston Favored on Road Over UTSA
Earlier this week, UTSA head coach Jeff Taylor told reporters that Houston will likely be the best team he’s faced during his time with the Roadrunners. It isn’t hard to see why, especially with the Cougars’ status as 4.5-point favorites on the road.
For starters, Houston has quite the elite offense. Starting quarterback Clayton Tune is back after helping his team average 35.2 points per game in 2021 — 19th-best in the nation. It helps that he has solid weapons around him, including wideout Nathaniel Dell, who racked up 1,329 yards and 12 touchdowns in 14 games last year.
On the other hand, UTSA has quite an impressive offense too. The Roadrunners averaged 35.5 PPG last season (No. 15), however, there’s no telling how things will look in Matt Mattox and Will Stein’s first year as co-offensive coordinators.
Even though both teams’ offenses were impressive a year ago, Houston likely has the defensive edge. The Cougars surrendered only 22.0 PPG (No. 26) in 2021, compared to the Roadrunners, who allowed 26.5 PPG (No. 56).
Another thing to make note of is the fact that this is the first Houston vs. UTSA matchup since 2014. The Roadrunners ended up winning that meeting, 27-7, evening the all-time series at 1-1 after the Cougars took the victory one year before that.
Nevertheless, a lot has changed over the last eight years. With UTSA set to join the AAC in 2023, the upcoming matchup against Houston will give the Roadrunners a good idea of what to expect going forward (even if the Cougars are moving to the Big 12 next year).
Houston vs. UTSA Betting Trends
- Houston is 7-1 straight up in its last eight games against C-USA schools.
- UTSA is 10-0 straight up in its last 10 home games.
- Houston is 2-5 against the spread (ATS) in its last seven games played on Saturday.
- UTSA is 6-2 ATS in its last eight Week 1 matchups.
- The total has hit the over in eight of Houston’s last 12 Week 1 matchups.
- The total has hit the over in six of UTSA’s last seven games.
Houston vs. UTSA Prediction and Picks
Houston vs. UTSA Prediction: Houston 28, UTSA 24
Houston vs. UTSA: UTSA +4.5 (Best Value: -110 at BetOnline) & Under 61.5 Points (Best Value: -114 at BetOnline)
Although I feel like Houston will get the victory here, I think that UTSA are better than some people expect. The Roadrunners are an improved team that should keep things close and the fact that they’re 6-2 ATS in their last eight Week 1 games is something that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Having said that, even though both schools have some serious offensive potential, I see them finishing with the under.
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- Notre Dame vs. Ohio State Week 1 Betting: Can Buckeyes Cover Massive Spread?
- Cincinnati vs. Arkansas Week 1 Betting: Back the Under, Razorbacks at Home
Devon is a Master of Journalism graduate who joined the sports betting world in 2020. His favorite leagues to cover are the NHL, NBA and NFL, and has a soft spot for fantasy football specifically. Outside of sports, he enjoys the finer things in life like pasta, live music and getting even more tattoos.
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