The USF Bulls (4-1, 1-1 American) and UTSA Roadrunners (4-1, 1-0) battle in an American Conference matchup Thursday at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let's analyze college football odds around the USF at UTSA odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.
RB Will Henderson III ran for 90 yards and 1 TD on 18 carries as visiting UTSA (-11.5) held off the Rice Owls 16-14 (Under 56) last Saturday. The Roadrunners scored all 16 points in the first half, with K Michael Petro nailing 3 FGs, including a 53-yarder. UTSA QB Owen McCown had a rough day, completing 19 of 29 passes for 148 and 1 INT.
South Florida suffered its first loss last week, falling to the visiting Temple
Owls (+5.5) 17-13 as the Under (50.5) hit. The loss snapped a 9-game winning streak at home, the second-longest in program history. USF led 13-10 midway through the fourth quarter, but gave up the winning 34-yard TD with 3:08 remaining after a 96-yard drive by Temple. USF held Temple to 92 yards passing, but gave up 182 yards on the ground. Bulls QB Michael Van Buren Jr. completed 17 of 32 passes for 205 yards with no TDs or INTs, while RB D.J. Crowther had 68 yards and a TD on 23 carries.
The series between USF and UTSA is tied 1-1. South Florida won 55-23 in Tampa last season, while UTSA prevailed 49-21 in San Antonio in 2023.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
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USF at UTSA odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 6:16 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): USF +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | UTSA -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): USF +7 (-110) | UTSA -7 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 49.5 (O: -112 | U: -105)
USF at UTSA picks and predictions
Prediction
UTSA 27, USF 17
Moneyline
PASS.
Even if they were playing at home, this would be the toughest test USF (+220) has faced this season. In San Antonio, it's been nearly impossible to beat the Roadrunners. UTSA is 25-1 in conference home games since 2020. I'll pass on picking the upset and don't find any value in picking UTSA (-275) straight up.
Against the spread
BET UTSA -7 (-110)
UTSA has won both their home games this season by double digits.
UTSA's lone loss this season is at the No. 1 Texas Longhorns 30-6, though they have had a couple of close calls on the road at the Texas State Bobcats and Rice. The Roadrunners rank fifth in the conference in total offense (384.6 yards per game) and fourth in passing (210.8 YPG), however they've had their issues on defense, allowing 407 YPG (12th in conference). They've been especially susceptible to the rush, allowing 199.4 YPG, worst in the conference.
Can South Florida, which is averaging 160.5 rushing YPG, take advantage?
Over/Under
BET UNDER 49.5 (-105).
While UTSA has put up 45 and 59 points in 2 of their games, I wouldn't call them an offensive powerhouse. They're solid, albeit unspectacular. Defensively, they're somewhat porous, though USF doesn't look to possess the offensive talent to exploit those deficiencies to a great degree.
South Florida leans on its defense. While the Bulls average 26.6 points per game, their defense has allowed just 14.6 PPG, best in the conference, though the competition has been underwhelming up to this point.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: USF Bulls at UTSA Roadrunners odds, picks and predictions
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