The UTSA Roadrunners and the North Texas Mean Green meet Saturday in college football action from Apogee Stadium. UTSA is fresh off a meeting with East Carolina over the weekend. In that one the Roadrunners improved to 5-3 with a two-touchdown victory. As for North Texas, they played Memphis back on Saturday. The 3-5 Mean Green would go on to lose a tough one by just three points. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.
UTSA Roadrunners
The Roadrunners lost three of their first four outings this year before hitting a win streak over Temple, UAB and Florida Atlantic. In that first seven-game span, UTSA was pretty consistent scoring wise with 29.0 points per game and 29 or more points scored in four outings. The Roadrunners were a little more successful through the air (14 scores; eight interceptions) than on the ground (4.1 yards per carry; 12 TDs).
UTSA took on East Carolina back on Saturday. In that matchup the Roadrunners jumped out to a 31-20 halftime edge and rolled to a 41-27 result. Frank Harris logged 395 yards with four touchdowns and a pick, while Rocko Griffin led the rush on 80 yards from five carries. Joshua Cephus caught four balls for a whopping 183 yards and a score as well.
UTSA Roadrunners Team Facts
- UTSA has won each of its last 14 games against conference opponents.
- UTSA has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games at DATCU Stadium.
- UTSA has won the first half in each of its last six road games against conference opponents.
- Six of UTSA’s last eight November road games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
North Texas Mean Green
Over on the North Texas side, they had similarly mixed results in their first seven games, going 3-4 overall. The Mean Green still scored quite well in that time however (34.6 points per game) with 31 touchdowns and a 40.63 percent success rate on third-down tries. Rushing-wise North Texas was pretty strong as well with 1,255 yards, 4.9 yards per carry and 13 scores on the ground.
Matched up against Memphis in their last game, the Mean Green fought back from a 31-10 halftime deficit but eventually fell short of a comeback during a 45-42 defeat. Chandler Rogers managed 411 yards and five touchdowns passing—three to Roderic Burns who caught five balls for 102 yards. Ayo Adeyi led the rushers with 104 yards on 10 carries.
North Texas Mean Green Team Facts
- North Texas has won 10 of its last 11 home games in November.
- The home team has covered the spread in nine of the last 10 games between UTSA and North Texas.
- North Texas has won the first quarter in four of its last five home games against conference opponents.
- North Texas has lost the first half in four of its last five games against conference opponents.
- Six of North Texas’ last seven November games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- North Texas rank 19th among FBS teams for points per game this season (35.5).
- North Texas has suffered the equal-most road losses by a margin of 10 points or less of any FBS team this season (3).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I might take a stab on North Texas here. The Mean Green are coming off a disappointing loss to Memphis that featured a nice offensive performance. North Texas put up 591 total yards (411 passing) in the defeat along with 28 first downs and a 7-of-14 rate on third-down tries. That said, the Green gave up a truckload of production on the other side (600 yards) as the Tigers scored double-digit points in three of four quarters.
As for UTSA, they posted a nice offensive effort themselves over the weekend with 515 total yards (395 passing) and 18 first downs. The Roadrunners have given up 20 or more points in five of the last six games though, so if North Texas’ offense is playing to their capabilities here I think the Green can get into a cover.