UTSA Roadrunners 2025 Football Preview, Betting ideas
UTSA Roadrunners
2024 Record: 7-6
Coaching Staff:
Jeff Traylor has led these Roadrunners to a bowl every year of his five-year tenure. Both coordinators return. At the G5, we love to see that kind of continuity. Since taking over, UTSA has won more games than any other program in Texas in Division 1!!
✅ Continuity is key!
The obvious things to like
Owen McCown – Son of former NFL QB Josh McCown, this kid has the potential to be one of the best QBs in the country. 260 yards per game a year ago, 25 TDs thrown — don't sleep on this kid leading the Roadrunners to the AAC title game.
Offensive line – This line wasn't exactly off the charts regarding grades a year ago, but it was solid. The key here, though, is the returning production. Some big bodies who graded out fairly well return for '25, which enhances this already dynamic offense. Luke Lapeze missed all of '24 with injury and is back for this season. Couple him with 6'4 345 Godinet, 6'6 295 Rios, 6'6 320 Garth, and 6'3 320 Allen — this line should have depth, continuity, and the ability to push teams around.
The skill positions are loaded – McCuin (WR) led the team in receptions despite missing five games; he returns. Houston Thomas, Patrick Overmyer, and Dan Dishman all caught 3 TDs last year at Tight End — electric to have all three back. Robert Henry Jr. led the team in rushing a year ago with north of 700 yards; he returns.
✅ This offense is going to be scary good.
The obvious things to dislike
The defense loses almost every starter – Jimmori Robinson was a huge loss to West Virginia, as was Matevius French to Colorado. Most of these programs lose a ton of transfers, but the defense here returns only one starter: Owen Pewee.
Ill discipline – UTSA ranked 132nd in the nation last year in penalty yards per game — over 80 yards of penalties per contest!! That has got to be cleaned up (to put it mildly), and Traylor has seemed to emphasize it in his offseason media rounds.
❌ Tons of turnover personnel-wise, and inconsistent secondary play/ penalties ravaged this group a year ago. Can that be buttoned up?
3 players when examining this roster
Kendrick Blackshire – A four-star recruit who played 24 games in three years at Alabama is certainly nothing to turn your nose at. Blackshire got hurt in game three last year and returns. Hearing he has been a leader of the group shows he is bought in despite dropping down a level. Love to see that.
Brandon Tucker – A consensus FCS All-American from East Texas A&M, this kid racked up 11 double-digit tackle games in '24.
Johnny Bowens III – Another 4-star recruit who went to Oregon. The Texas native returned home last season but missed the entire campaign due to injury. Bowens is a 6'3 300-pound D-lineman. When he entered the portal, there was some buzz between him and the Longhorns — if this kid gets back to full health and hits, he will bring a ton of juice to the D-Line.
🔍 These players had different paths to San Antonio, let's see if any, or all, shine!
The Gut Feel:
I am a Jeff Traylor truther. The man rips gospel music on the way to practice and has this team in a bowl every season. He's done more with less regarding the budgets and resources in this conference; Tulane, USF, and Memphis blow this program out of the water in that regard.
If Traylor can clean up those penalties on the defense, this team will be more than fine. What you need to look out for is that brutal non-conference. Remember, UTSA was 3-5 last season and things looked bleak.
McCown got rolling and this team won 4 of their last 5, including housing Coastal Carolina in the bowl. The one thing I like about the defense is the leadership aspect. The aforementioned Pewee and Blackshire, alongside a guy like Shad Banks Jr — who transfers over from TCU, this is a guy who played in the National title just a couple of years ago. I am all in on this Roadrunner team.
✅ Big Jeff Traylor guy, BIG UTSA GUY!!!
Actionable:
Remember that this non-conference will be a gauntlet: Texas A&M to open, CSU on the road, and Texas State at home (who embarrassed this team last year).
Play this team in the conference.
Give me over 5.5 wins in the conference all day long.
BetMGM has +250 for this team to appear in the Conference title game.
The odds have come in a bit on this team, but the offense, I believe, is the best unit in the conference.
✅ I’m putting my money where my mouth is; give me all these Roadrunner futures.
