We saw an epic back-and-forth battle between these two last year, and this UTSA Roadrunners vs. Houston Cougars prediction takes a look at what the 2023 version could provide. The Roadrunners and Cougars enter new eras in new conferences, and a win in Week 1 would get the season started on the right foot.
UTSA vs. Houston Betting and DFS Preview
- Spread
UTSA -1 - Moneyline
UTSA -120, Houston +100 - Over/Under
60.5 total points - Game time
7 p.m. ET - Location
TDECU Stadium, Houston, TX - Predicted Weather at Kick
97 degrees, cloudy, 15 mph winds - How to Watch
FuboTV, FS1
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Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
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UTSA Depth Chart | Houston Depth Chart
- QB Frank Harris, UTSA ($10,400)
- QB Donovan Smith, Houston ($9,300)
- WR Joshua Cephus, UTSA ($8,500)
- RB Kevorian Barnes, UTSA ($8,400)
- WR Matthew Golden, Houston ($8,000)
- WR De’Corian Clark, UTSA ($7,800)
- RB Samuel Brown, Houston ($7,500)
- RB Tony Mathis Jr., Houston ($7,100)
- WR Joseph Manjack IV, Houston ($6,400)
- RB Brandon Campbell, Houston ($6,000)
- WR Joshua Cobbs, Houston ($5,800)
- TE Oscar Cardenas, UTSA ($5,600)
- WR Willie McCoy, UTSA ($5,600)
- TE Rocko Griffin, UTSA ($5,600)
- RB Stacy Sneed, Houston ($5,600)
Last year featured 72 points and 787 yards combined between these two teams. This year could replicate or even exceed those totals.
The obvious plays here are Frank Harris and Donovan Smith. Harris is coming off a career season and can make plays with his arms and legs. Smith, though in a new system, can do the same. Both defenses have things to fix this year, and these two quarterbacks could have a field day.
The biggest question for both teams remains the wide receiver position. UTSA lost Zhakari Franklin to the transfer portal, and De’Corian Clark remains a game-time decision. Joshua Cephus figures to be the best pay for UTSA here.
Houston’s still looking for Tank Dell’s replacement, and the obvious choice is former 4-star Matthew Golden. Samuel Brown, Joseph Manjack IV, and Joshua Cobbs are three other names to keep an eye on for fantasy purposes.
UTSA’s rushing attack is more solidified right now with Kevorian Barnes returning. Houston has multiple options with West Virginia transfer Tony Mathis Jr., Brandon Campbell, and Stacy Sneed in the backfield. Sneed at $5,600 is great value.
It’s safe to say that most of these options bring good value. Even Harris and Smith at the top will still be worth the investment in their respective offenses.
Prediction for UTSA vs. Houston
UTSA entered the fourth quarter of last year’s game up 21-7, but Houston stormed back with 17 points of their own before heading into overtime. Clayton Tune and Frank Harris put on a show, and Tune’s replacement will do the same.
Smith tortured Houston last year when he was at Texas Tech, and Dana Holgorsen wants to unleash that energy for an entire season. He gives Houston another weapon in both aspects of the offense, which opens up the field for everyone else.
Houston struggled to slow down Harris. Even with their great pass rush, the Cougars struggled to contain Harris, who threw for 337 yards and ran for 63 more. It might be more difficult if Clark can’t go, but Cephus and the rest of the crew can step up to help more.
If Houston wants to slow down this offense, containing Harris should be their top priority. Keeping him in the pocket creates the best chance for the Coogs’ defense to get off the field, but they’re not the only one in this game that faces that pressure.
UTSA will be in a similar situation. While Smith isn’t as fast as Harris, containing him won’t be easy. Holgorsen’s scheme also provides the Roadrunners with unique challenges, but it’s the new faces coming in that make things more difficult. Getting after Smith will do wonders for the rest of the defense.
Trey Moore is one of the best edge players in the country, and he faces a guy in Patrick Paul, who will play on Sundays. Moore should command extra bodies from the opposition this year, making it difficult for him to impact the box score.
That means he’ll open up opportunities for other linemen like Brandon Brown and Nick Booker-Brown. Their ability to disrupt Houston’s offense could dictate the outcome. Both teams have the talent to thrive on both sides of the ball, and that makes this game incredibly intriguing for those looking for quality entertainment in Week 1.
Prediction
Houston 35 – UTSA 34