The Houston Cougars and UTSA Roadrunners open their seasons Saturday at the Alamodome. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET (CBSSN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Houston vs. UTSA odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Cougars posted 12 victories last season, including a win in the Birmingham Bowl over Auburn of the SEC. Houston welcomes QB Clayton Tune back, and the Cougars are among the favorites to win the AAC in 2022.
The Roadrunners attained their 1st-ever ranking last season, but struggled in the final 3 games with just 1 victory. UTSA lost the Frisco Bowl against San Diego State, and stud RB Sincere McCormick rested to get ready for the NFL Draft. UTSA will have difficulty matching last season’s double-digit win total.
This is the 3rd-ever meeting between these Lone Star State schools, with Houston winning 59-28 in San Antonio Sept. 28, 2013, and UTSA winning 27-7 in Houston Aug. 29, 2014.
Houston is ranked No. 25 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Houston at UTSA odds
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:46 a.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Houston -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | UTSA +165 (bet $100 to win $165)
- Against the spread (ATS): Houston -4.5 (-112) | UTSA +4.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 61.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Exclusive USA TODAY Network offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $200 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!
Houston at UTSA picks and predictions
Prediction
Houston 34, UTSA 20
Money line
Houston (-200) hits the road in the opener trying to carry over momentum from last season’s 12-win performance. Tune and company should be able to make sweet music in the Alamodome as the Roadrunners are likely to struggle a little out of the gate.
UTSA has QB Frank Harris back, but the loss of McCormick will make this more of a one-dimensional team.
Still, you can’t risk 2 times your potential return on the road favorite.
AVOID.
Against the spread
HOUSTON -4.5 (-112) is a better play laying the points on the road. Tune and the Cougars should be able to move the ball well.
UTSA is home, but that’s about all that is going for it. Harris and the Roadrunners are likely to be a lot more predictable without the game-breaker McCormick in the huddle. In addition, the Roadrunners had plenty of losses on defense, including key players at each level of the D.
Over/Under
UNDER 61.5 (-105) is the play in this Texas tussle.
The Under is 6-2-1 in the past 9 games for UTSA at home, while going 6-2-1 in the previous 9 non-conference tilts, too.
The Under is a dangerous play when Houston is involved, but its defense should do enough to keep UTSA in check.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]