The UTSA Roadrunners (2-0) and No. 1 Texas Longhorns (2-0) meet Saturday for a Week 3 showdown. Kickoff from DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, is set for 8 p.m. ET. Let's analyze college football odds around the UTSA vs. Texas odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.
UTSA has kicked off its season with 2 in-state foes, UT Rio Grande Valley and Texas State. It beat UTRGV 45-16 on Sept. 5, a battle that didn't feature a total or spread. In Week 2, the Roadrunners edged Texas State 31-26, covering as a 1.5-point road underdog as the Under (65.5) cashed. QB Owen McCown has been the main weapon for UTSA, throwing for 489 yards and 4 touchdowns through 2 weeks. The Roadrunners were 7-6 straight up,
7-6 against the spread (ATS) and 10-3 O/U a season ago.
Texas is coming off the most impressive win by any team in the country this season, having taken down the then-No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes 24-23 on Saturday. Despite the huge win, the Longhorns failed to cover as a 2.5-point home favorite with the Under (50.5) cashing. Texas was trailing 23-3 going into the fourth quarter. The Longhorns beat Texas State 59-7 in Week 1. They are 1-1 ATS and 1-1 O/U on the season. QB Arch Manning has been the star so far, throwing for 500 yards, 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions through 2 games.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
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UTSA at Texas odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 6 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): UTSA +2200 (bet $100 to win $2,200) | Texas -5000 (bet $5,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): UTSA +30 (-110) | Texas -30 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 58.5 (O: -108 | U: -110)
UTSA at Texas picks and predictions
Prediction
Texas 45, UTSA 16
Moneyline
PASS.
Avoid this play. Texas (-5000) should win with ease yet are far, far too expensive to consider.
Against the spread
BET UTSA +30 (-110).
The Longhorns are in a perfect letdown spot. This does not mean they won't win, but they certainly could struggle out of the gate after an emotional win over Ohio State and a drama-filled past few days. And even against the Buckeyes, they were absent for most of the first 45 minutes. Manning hasn't been the most consistent either passer, either, having just a 67.2% completion rate and 2 interceptions on the season.
The Roadrunners' offense has been rolling, and while Texas will pose a new challenge, they have scored 76 points this season. UTSA has a pair of 100-yard rushers and a quarterback without a turnover. If the Roadrunners can play turnover-free football and keep some offensive traction, they can cover. And they have proven they can do both of those things through 2 weeks.
Back UTSA +30 (-110).
Over/Under
BET OVER 58.5 (-108).
Neither team likes to run the ball, and Texas has beaten up on weaker defenses in this season. Of the 138 FBS teams ranked, UTSA ranks 120th and Texas sits 78th in run-play percentage, and that should allow for more time stoppages and more opportunities to get in the end zone.
USTA allowed 26 points to Texas State, a team that Texas tallied 59 against. The Longhorns ended that game with 360 passing yards and should be able to put up similar numbers on the Roadrunners. Expect a high-scoring battle Saturday in Austin and take OVER 58.5 (-108).
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: UTSA Roadrunners at Texas Longhorns odds, picks and predictions
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