Predicting modern bowl games often comes down to understanding psychology more than traditional handicapping. That might be the case for this year’s Myrtle Beach Bowl in Conway, featuring the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and the UTSA Roadrunners.
One team is dealing with a handful of opt-outs, while the other is starting a quarterback who’s yet to take a single college snap. How will these factors shape the outcome of the Myrtle Beach Bowl? Dive into our Coastal Carolina vs. UTSA prediction to find out.
Coastal Carolina vs. UTSA Myrtle Beach Bowl Betting Preview
All Coastal Carolina vs. UTSA odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. The CFN Spread comes from College Football Network’s Football Playoff Meter.
- CFN FPM Spread
UTSA -8.5 - Spread
UTSA -14.5 - Moneyline
UTSA -500, Coastal Carolina +380 - Over/Under
56 points - Game Time
Monday, Dec. 23, 11 a.m. ET - Location
Brooks Stadium | Conway, SC - How To Watch
ESPN
This line started at UTSA -6.5 and stretched to its current position at UTSA -9 when news of Coastal Carolina’s quarterback transfers came out. Both Ethan Vasko and Noah Kim entered the transfer portal. The CFN FPM spread then moved out to -8.5 to adjust, but the betting public has bet this one all the way to -14.5 just hours before kick.
While the bowl is treated as a neutral-site game, with the Chanticleers listed as the road team, it will actually be played at their home, Brooks Stadium. The current spread and total imply a final score close to 35-21 in favor of the Roadrunners.
Coastal Carolina’s Winning Probability
CFN’s FPM is slightly higher on the Chanticleers, making them underdogs by only 8.5 points. That translates to a winning probability of 27.2%.
- vs. UTSA: 27.2%
UTSA’s Winning Probability
On the flip side, the Roadrunners are now heavy favorites, with a winning probability of 72.8%. Head coach Jeff Traylor has been outspoken about the poor timing of bowl season and the transfer portal, but his Roadrunners should be close to full strength, minus a couple of potential losses on the defensive line.
- vs. UTSA: 72.8%
Prediction for Coastal Carolina vs. UTSA
While we’ve yet to see Coastal Carolina quarterback Tad Hudson in action at the college level, I followed his high school career closely. He has a strong arm, delivers a catchable ball, and exhibits solid leadership qualities.
That said, when Hudson committed early in his junior year to the North Carolina Tar Heels, I questioned his recruiting ranking and evaluated him as more of a Group of Five prospect.
The fact that he hasn’t taken a single snap in college is concerning. While neither Vasko nor Kim were standout quarterbacks under Tim Beck, I’m skeptical that the potential dropoff is worth just 2.5 points, as Vegas seems to believe.
UTSA feels like the hungrier team here. That’s not a deep football breakdown—it’s simply the reality of the modern mid-tier bowl game. Coastal Carolina may want to defend its home turf, but UTSA has been the better team, and they still are.
But are the Roadrunners nine points better than the Chanticleers?
I think so.
After a rocky start to the season, Jeff Traylor’s squad found its rhythm, winning three of its final four games. The Roadrunners were just two odd one-score losses to bad teams away from finishing 8-4, and I believe a winning record means more to them than it does to Beck’s patchwork roster.
FOLLOW ALONG: Track Every Transfer Portal Entrant in our CFN Transfer Portal Tracker now!
The Chanticleers could be without six starters on an already shaky defense, depending on the health of several players who missed the season finale. That’s not ideal when facing an offense clicking behind quarterback Owen McCown.
As the Roadrunners look to build momentum for the offseason, we as bettors should trust the steadier quarterback.
UTSA’s offense has reached another level since McCown embraced his dual-threat capabilities in November. Over his last four games, McCown rushed for 241 yards—more than double his total from his first 12 starts. With his newfound mobility, the offense is thriving, averaging 41.75 points per game during that stretch.
I see that trend continuing against a banged-up defense. Even on his best day, Hudson won’t be able to keep pace. Take the Roadrunners in a blowout.
Prediction: UTSA 41, Coastal Carolina 20
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.