The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (-14) and UTSA Roadrunners will go toe-to-toe on the dome of the Alamodome. Kickoff for this critical showdown is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET and fans can tune in to the action on ESPN+.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs. UTSA Roadrunners Betting Preview
UTSA is a significant underdog in this CUSA game and is currently getting 14 points. The Bulldogs are also receiving -735 moneyline odds while the Roadrunners are +500. If one team can create a bunch of points early, it will likely produce a reasonable in-game betting scenario.
The opening line was initially set at 12 but the general public’s been siding with the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs are down 0.5 units so far and 3-2 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U mark of 3-2. The Roadrunners have gained 0.0 units this season. The team is 1-5 ATS and owns an O/U record of 4-2.
The Bulldogs have gone 3-2 straight up (SU), including 1-1 SU against conference opponents. The Roadrunners are 3-3 SU overall and 2-0 SU in conference play.
The Bulldogs will try to get back on track after a 28-7 loss to UAB last week. The passing game left much to be desired as J’mar Smith completed just nine passes on 23 attempts for 107 yards and one interception. Kam McKnight (80 rushing yards on 15 attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller Smith (40 yards on 14 carries) spearheaded the ground attack. Teddy Veal (six receptions, 66 yards) and Adrian Hardy (two catches, 33 yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
UTSA just earned a 20-3 win over Rice. Cordale Grundy completed six-of-18 passes for 33 yards. B.J. Daniels (61 rushing yards on 13 attempts, one TD) mounted the running attack as Kirk Johnson Jr. (three receptions, -7 yards) and Blaze Moorhead (two catches, 27 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the win.
Looking at offensive play-calling, each team sports a similar (50-50) run-pass ratio on the season. The Bulldogs have produced 157 rush yards per game (including 140 per game versus Conference USA opponents) and have seven touchdowns on the ground this year. The Roadrunners are totaling 102 rushing yards per game (113 in conference) and have five total rush TDs.
The Bulldogs offensive scheme has averaged 261 yards in the air overall (169 per game versus conference opposition) and has 10 passing TDs so far. The Roadrunners have recorded 148 pass yards per contest (115.0 against CUSA competition) and have six total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Louisiana Tech appears to have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed 173 rush yards and 186 pass yards per game. The UTSA defense has allowed 244.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 124.7 yards per game on the ground. The Bulldogs are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.48 to opposing QBs, while the Roadrunners have given up a 7.88 ANY/A.
Offensively, Smith is up to 1,026 passing yards this year, and has completed 79-of-139 attempts with seven scores through the air and five interceptions. He has a 5.85 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 4.17 over the last two outings.
We’re looking for Bulldogs to control the clock by pounding the defense with their running backs. Adrian Hardy (398 yards, three TDs) has contributed in the receiving game lately, but the RB tandem of Kam McKnight (117 rush yards, one rush TD) and Israel Tucker (134 rush yards, one rush TD) have really been focal points in the offensive gameplans for Louisiana Tech.
Cordale Grundy has connected on 73-of-142 passes for 612 yards, three TDs and two INTs for UTSA. His ANY/A stands at a very poor 3.21 for the season and 4.27 over his last two outings.
The Roadrunners should also look to control the clock by turning to their backfield. In addition to Greg Campbell Jr. (208 receiving yards, one receiving TD), Cordale Grundy (57 rush yards) and B.J. Daniels (260 rush yards, three rush TDs) have seen a multitude of touches recently.
When these two teams met last year, Louisiana Tech won by a couple of touchdowns 20-6.
RELATED: Week 7 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Prediction: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at UTSA Roadrunners
SU Winner – Louisiana Tech, ATS Winner – Louisiana Tech
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
Louisiana Tech was favored by 7 points in its last game and the O/U was 57. The under cashed and Louisiana Tech failed to cover in the 28-7 loss to UAB.
Louisiana Tech has produced 3.70707070707071 yards per carry over its last three outings and 3.8 over its last two.
UTSA has averaged 3.6 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.6 over its past two.
UTSA has lost five fumbles this season while Louisiana Tech has lost four.
In its last three games, Louisiana Tech is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
UTSA was favored by 2 points in its last outing and the Over/Under was 49.5. The under cashed and UTSA covered in the team’s 20-3 triumph over Rice.
Over its last three matchups, UTSA is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
The Bulldogs offense has created four pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Roadrunners have put up zero such plays.
The Louisiana Tech defense has allowed one pass play of 40+ yards, while UTSA has given up four such plays.
The Louisiana Tech offense has created seven rushing plays of 20+ yards, while UTSA has created four such runs.
The Bulldogs defense has allowed seven rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Roadrunners have given up five such runs.
The UTSA defensive unit has notched 17 sacks on the year while Louisiana Tech has 14.
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