Tennessee vs UTSA Prediction Football Picks 9-23-23
Tennessee Volunteers (2-1) vs UTSA Roadrunners (1-2)
2023-09-23 16:00:00 EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Tennessee Volunteers -19.5 -- Over/Under:
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The UTSA Roadrunners and the Tennessee Volunteers meet Saturday in college football action from Neyland Stadium. UTSA just finished up a game versus Army. In that matchup the Roadrunners fell by eight points. As for Tennessee, their last game was versus Florida. The Volunteers would go on to fall in a stunning upset for their first defeat of the season. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.
UTSA Roadrunners
The Roadrunners took on Houston in their first matchup of the year and were competitive in a 17-14 loss. The Roadrunners ended up with 417 total yards (208 rushing) and 22 first downs but the three picks really hurt. In game two UTSA got their first win of the year 20-13 over Texas State, posting 372 yards (214 passing) and 28 first downs.
Back on Friday versus Army, the Roadrunners gave up points in each quarter, ultimately falling 37-29 in a very competitive matchup. UTSA’s Eddie Lee Marburger threw for 239 yards and three scores, while Rocko Griffin added 53 rush yards off seven carries. Joshua Cephus was the top receiver with eight grabs for 84 yards and a TD.
UTSA Roadrunners Team Facts
UTSA has won three of its last four September games as a road underdog.
UTSA has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six games against non-conference opponents.
Each of UTSA’s last five games as an underdog have gone OVER the total points line.
Tennessee Volunteers
Over on the Volunteers’ side, they opened up the year with a matchup versus Virginia and didn’t have too much trouble in a 49-13 blowout win. Tennessee generated 499 total yards (287 rushing) and 29 first downs in the victory. The Volunteers also won game two 30-13 versus Austin Peay. Tennessee out-gained the Governors 456-339 in that one but had 10 penalties for 88 yards.
The Vols played Florida last weekend. Tennessee was down 26-7 going into the second half and didn’t get a whole lot closer in a stunning upset loss 29-16. Joe Milton threw for 287 yards with two scores and a pick. Bru McCoy led the receivers on 94 yards and a TD off five grabs, and Jaylen Wright had 63 rushing yards.
Tennessee Volunteers Team Facts
Tennessee has won each of its last 10 games at Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee has covered the spread in six of its last seven games against non-conference opponents.
Tennessee has won the first quarter in 15 of its last 16 games against non-conference opponents at Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee has won the first half in 19 of its last 20 games against non-conference opponents at Neyland Stadium.
Nine of Tennessee’s last 10 games against non-AP-ranked teams at Neyland Stadium have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
Tennessee ranked 1st among FBS teams for points per game last season (46.1).
Tennessee ranked 1st among FBS teams for Q2 points per game last season (15.1).
UTSA ranked 8th among FBS teams for Q2 points per game last season (12.1).
UTSA ranked 11th among FBS teams for Q2 win percentage last season (.714).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
Give me Tennessee. I was going to take a stab on UTSA in this one, but with Tennessee’s upset loss to Florida last weekend however, I think I’m now leaning the other way. The Vols still don’t have much chance at losing this one outright, but after that Gators loss I think they’ll be taking out some frustrations on an overmatched Roadrunners squad. UTSA will need to find ways to get on the scoreboard; they scored a tepid 34 points combined across their first two games. In the Army matchup, UTSA had a pretty well-balanced attack with 360 yards (239 passing) and 7.3 yards per play. The Roadrunners held the ball for just 15:35 however, and had 14 first downs. It’s going to take a huge effort to keep pace here and I don’t think UTSA will do so.