The FIU Golden Panthers (-10.5) and UTSA Roadrunners are ready to face off on the dome of the Alamodome. This CUSA showdown is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to ESPN+.
FIU Golden Panthers vs. UTSA Roadrunners Betting Preview
UTSA is a big home underdog in this CUSA game and is currently receiving 10.5 points. The Golden Panthers are also receiving -425 moneyline odds while the Roadrunners are +315. If one program can create a bunch of points in the early stages it would create a decent betting opportunity in-game. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 49.5 points.
The line opened at 10 while the total hasn’t changed since it opened at 49.5.
The Golden Panthers have gained 1.8 units so far in 2018 and are 6-3 against the spread (ATS). The team’s recorded an Over-Under mark of 4-5. The Roadrunners have lost 2.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 2-7 ATS and own an O/U record of 6-3.
The Golden Panthers have gone 6-3 straight up (SU), including 4-1 SU against CUSA opponents. The Roadrunners are 3-6 SU overall and 2-3 SU in conference play.
When these two squads met a year ago, FIU won by a touchdown 14-7.
The Golden Panthers fell to Florida Atlantic 49-14 in a blowout where James Morgan completed just 18 passes on 32 attempts for 223 yards, two scores and one interception. Anthony Jones (31 rushing yards on eight attempts) provided the ground attack while Bryce Singleton (five receptions, 97 yards, one TD) and CJ Worton (three catches, 19 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
One week ago, UAB took care of this UTSA team by a score of 52-3. As a group, the Roadrunners collectively completed 15-of-35 passes for 136 yards and one interception. Jordan Weeks went 11-for-26 for 109 yards while D.J. Gillins was three-of-five for 28 yards and one interception. Brenden Brady (42 yards on eight rush attempts) spearheaded the running game while Greg Campbell Jr. (six receptions, 62 yards) and Gavin Sharp (two catches, 42 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
FIU has run the ball on 57.0 percent of its offensive possessions this year while UTSA has a rush percentage of 47.6 percent. The Golden Panthers have run for 167 yards/game (including 154 per game against Conference USA opponents) and have 16 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Roadrunners are putting up 94 rushing yards per game (91 in conference) and have five total rush TDs.
If the results so far this season are any indication, then it seems like the Golden Panthers might have the more disruptive lines up front. Their offensive line has allowed just 29 sacks while their D-line logged 22 sacks. The Roadrunners O-line has allowed 26 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing QBs on just 23 occasions.
The Golden Panthers offensive scheme has tallied 241 yards per contest in the air overall (249 per game against conference opposition) and has 21 passing TDs so far. The Roadrunners have put up 149 pass yards per game (136.8 in the CUSA) and have seven total pass scores.
Defensively, FIU seems to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to run for an average of 205 yards and pass for 187 yards per game. The UTSA D has allowed 254.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 162.2 yards per game on the ground. The Golden Panthers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.17 to opposing QBs, while the Roadrunners have given up an 8.12 ANY/A.
Offensively, Morgan is up to 1,820 passing yards this year, and has completed 63 percent of his 205 attempts with 18 scores through the air and only five interceptions. Morgan has a 9.02 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 7.03 over the last two games.
The Golden Panthers have tried to maintain the clock by pounding the defense with their running backs. The tagteam of D’Vonte Price (317 rush yards, three rush TDs) and Napoleon Maxwell (377 rush yards, three rush TDs) have been significant focal points in the offensive gameplans for FIU.
Jordan Weeks has completed 13-of-28 passes for 119 yards, zero TDs and zero INTs for UTSA. His ANY/A stands at a less-than-ideal 4.25 for the season and 3.59 across his last two games.
The Roadrunners also prefer to keep their RBs involved. In addition to Greg Campbell Jr. (331 receiving yards, one receiving TD), Brenden Brady (50 rush yards) and Marquez McNair (74 receiving yards) have gotten quite a few looks recently.
Free Pick: FIU Golden Panthers vs. UTSA Roadrunners
SU Winner – FIU, ATS Winner – FIU, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Trends
The O/U for FIU’s last game was set at 59.5. The over cashed in the team’s 49-14 defeat to Florida Atlantic.
FIU has averaged 4.7 yards per carry over its last three contests and 4.1 over its last two.
UTSA has averaged 3.1 yards per carry over its last three matchups and only 2.8 over its past two.
UTSA has lost seven fumbles this season while FIU has let four get away.
Over its last three games, FIU is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for UTSA’s last game going into it was 42.5. The over cashed in that 52-3 defeat to UAB.
Over its last three matches, UTSA is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Golden Panthers offense has recorded eight pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Roadrunners have accounted for one such play.
The FIU defense has allowed four pass plays of 40+ yards, while UTSA has given up six such plays.
The FIU offense has created 11 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while UTSA has created seven such runs.
The Golden Panthers defense has allowed 16 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while the Roadrunners have given up 12 such runs.
The UTSA D has tallied 20 sacks on the year while FIU has just 14.
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