Houston vs. UTSA Week 1 Betting: Expect Roadrunners to Keep Things Close

Although the 2022 NCAA college football season technically began last week, things really kick off in a few days with Week 1. Among the top first-week matchups is a showdown between the No. 24 Houston Cougars and UTSA Roadrunners.

GAME WEEK!

UTSA 🆚 No. 24 Houston
🕰️ 2:30 p.m.
🗓️ Saturday, Sept. 3
🏟️ @Alamodome
🎟️ 210-458-UTSA | https://t.co/C2E9jHNCGY#210TriangleOfToughness #LetsGo210 | #BirdsUp 🤙 pic.twitter.com/6TjCCLB7gw

— UTSA Football 🏈 (@UTSAFTBL) August 29, 2022

Dana Holgorsen is back for his fourth season as the Houston coach following a 12-2 run last fall. Although the Cougars winded up losing to Cincinnati in the AAC Championship game, they did end the year on a high note, defeating Auburn at the Birmingham Bowl by a final score of 17-13.

Meanwhile, UTSA also went 12-2 in 2021 and even defeated Western Kentucky to win the C-USA Championship. Even though they lost the Frisco Bowl, the Roadrunners are facing high expectations this year, leaving time to tell if they can meet them.

Here are BetOnline Sportsbook’s latest Cincinnati vs. Arkansas betting odds, as well as a prediction and best bet for the upcoming NCAAF tilt.

Houston vs. UTSA Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: No. 24 Houston Cougars (0-0) vs. UTSA Roadrunners (0-0)
• Venue & Location: Alamodome (San Antonio, Texas)
• Date: Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022
• Game Time: 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time
• Where to Watch Houston vs. UTSA: CBSSN

Houston vs. UTSA Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline Sportsbook. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Spread

• Houston Cougars -4.5 (-110)
• UTSA Roadrunners +4.5 (-110)

Over/Under

• Over 61.5 (-114)
• Under 61.5 (-106)

Moneyline

• Houston Cougars -192
• UTSA Roadrunners +158

Houston Favored on Road Over UTSA

Earlier this week, UTSA head coach Jeff Taylor told reporters that Houston will likely be the best team he’s faced during his time with the Roadrunners. It isn’t hard to see why, especially with the Cougars’ status as 4.5-point favorites on the road.

UTSA football head coach Jeff Traylor said Houston will “arguably be the best team” the Roadrunners have faced since he’s been ay UTSA

— James Mueller (@jdm2186) August 29, 2022

For starters, Houston has quite the elite offense. Starting quarterback Clayton Tune is back after helping his team average 35.2 points per game in 2021 — 19th-best in the nation. It helps that he has solid weapons around him, including wideout Nathaniel Dell, who racked up 1,329 yards and 12 touchdowns in 14 games last year.

On the other hand, UTSA has quite an impressive offense too. The Roadrunners averaged 35.5 PPG last season (No. 15), however, there’s no telling how things will look in Matt Mattox and Will Stein’s first year as co-offensive coordinators.

Even though both teams’ offenses were impressive a year ago, Houston likely has the defensive edge. The Cougars surrendered only 22.0 PPG (No. 26) in 2021, compared to the Roadrunners, who allowed 26.5 PPG (No. 56).

.@UHCougarFB head coach Dana Holgorsen on facing a tough and experienced UTSA team on Saturday in the season opener. “They got a lot of good players and they got a good football team.” pic.twitter.com/ejRueX4zSr

— Daniel Gotera (@DTGoteraKHOU) August 29, 2022

Another thing to make note of is the fact that this is the first Houston vs. UTSA matchup since 2014. The Roadrunners ended up winning that meeting, 27-7, evening the all-time series at 1-1 after the Cougars took the victory one year before that.

Nevertheless, a lot has changed over the last eight years. With UTSA set to join the AAC in 2023, the upcoming matchup against Houston will give the Roadrunners a good idea of what to expect going forward (even if the Cougars are moving to the Big 12 next year).

Houston vs. UTSA Betting Trends

• Houston is 7-1 straight up in its last eight games against C-USA schools.
• UTSA is 10-0 straight up in its last 10 home games.
• Houston is 2-5 against the spread (ATS) in its last seven games played on Saturday.
• UTSA is 6-2 ATS in its last eight Week 1 matchups.
• The total has hit the over in eight of Houston’s last 12 Week 1 matchups.
• The total has hit the over in six of UTSA’s last seven games.

Houston vs. UTSA Prediction and Picks

Houston vs. UTSA Prediction: Houston 28, UTSA 24

Houston vs. UTSA: UTSA +4.5 (Best Value: -110 at BetOnline) & Under 61.5 Points (Best Value: -114 at BetOnline)

Although I feel like Houston will get the victory here, I think that UTSA are better than some people expect. The Roadrunners are an improved team that should keep things close and the fact that they’re 6-2 ATS in their last eight Week 1 games is something that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Having said that, even though both schools have some serious offensive potential, I see them finishing with the under.

Other NCAA College Football Stories on Betting News

• College Football Week 1 Predictions, Picks & Odds
• Oregon vs. Georgia Week 1 Betting: Expect Bulldogs to Open Season with a Victory
• Central Michigan vs. Oklahoma State Prediction & Odds
• Penn State vs. Purdue Prediction, Odds & Picks
• Notre Dame vs. Ohio State Week 1 Betting: Can Buckeyes Cover Massive Spread?
• Cincinnati vs. Arkansas Week 1 Betting: Back the Under, Razorbacks at Home