The UTSA Roadrunners had quite the season in head coach Frank Wilson’s debut year. The squad overachieved and found themselves playing in the university’s first ever bowl game. Unfortunately, they lost to the Lobos in the New Mexico Bowl in New Mexico.
In 2017, the UTSA Roadrunners are primed to take yet another step forward. UTSA has 13 returning starters back in the mix. With a few improvements to the O-line, this offense has the potential to be up there with the conference’s best.
The other side of the ball showed massive improvement in 2016. As with the offense, the defense also returns key players that could make this unit even better than the last. UTSA may not reach the Conference USA Division title quite yet, but another bowl game is certainly within their grasp.
Offense
All the stars are aligned for the UTSA offense to take that next step forward in 2017. Last year, the Roadrunners improved up to the 64th ranked offense in FBS football. That’s quite the achievement considering they ranked 104th in 2015. As a result, the balance and productivity led them to their first bowl game in school history.
Senior quarterback Dalton Sturm returns for his final season with the Roadrunners. He supposedly worked on his accuracy in the off-season. The dual-threat signal caller had four games in which he completed at least 65 percent of his passes. That being said, he also had four games where he completed under 50.
Altogether, the senior signal-caller tossed for 20 touchdowns and ran for another four. He accumulated 2,170 yards through the air and another 313 on the ground. A statistic that really stands out to me is that the heady quarterback only fumbled the ball once and was picked off just six times.
Brothers Josh Stewart and Kerry Thomas Jr. return to provide plenty of options for Dillon Sturm in the passing game. Last year, the two combined for a total of 71 catches for over 1,300 yards and 13 scores.
Running the football for the Roadrunners shouldn’t be a problem in 2017 either. Leading rusher Jalen Rhodes will try to improve upon his 900 yards and eight touchdowns. Obviously, Dillon Sturm will build upon his rushing numbers as well.
The biggest problem that UTSA needs to overcome is the performance of their offensive line. The Roadrunners frontmen have surrendered a mind-boggling 87 sacks over the last two years. The interior of the line returns, but both tackles will be new. UTSA must improve in this facet or quarterback Dillon Sturm might not be on the field for late in the season showdowns.
Defense
The Roadrunners have seven starters returning from a group that resembled the offense’s improvement. In 2016, the defense improved to 63rd from 101st in points allowed. That’s pretty darn good, considering the offensive firepower in the conference last season.
UTSA’s best-returning athlete on defense is defensive end Marcus Davenport. He definitely is the player with the most NFL potential on the Roadrunners roster. The second-team All-Conference USA selection a year ago is set for another big year.
Teammate Kevin Strong Jr. moved from nose tackle to end last season and was productive. King Newton, son of Nate Newton and Baylen Baker will see more time in the sophomore campaigns.
Both of the Roadrunners’ linebackers are back. UTSA plays in a 4-2-5 scheme. Both of the two are good. Josiah Tauaefa was a Freshman All-American last year. He set a school-record with 115 tackles. La’Kel Bass is an all-league candidate as a senior after racking up another 87 tackles.
The Roadrunners will sport two new safeties in 2017. They will team up with senior Nate Gaines along the backline. Also, Austin Jupe, Devron Davis, and Teddrick McGhee give UTSA three very capable cover corners.
Prediction
The big question is can UTSA win its first Conference USA division title. If so, they will have done it in only their seventh year in the league. The next goal for the Roadrunners is to place themselves in another bigger and better bowl.
The Roadrunner defense will likely keep growing. If the offensive line can improve its pass blocking, UTSA will score more than they did in 2016. Overall depth is still an issue on both sides, but a second straight bowl game for the Roadrunners is a reasonable expectation.
UTSA may not start the season as the preseason favorite but a favorable schedule could change that down the stretch. As it works out, the Roadrunners will not face the top teams from the East Division in 2017. They also don’t have to square-off against Louisiana Tech until their season finale. UTSA does have non-conference games against Houston at home then Baylor in Waco.
Sin City has the Roadrunners’ team total at 6.5. I personally love that, but it sits at -140 so I’ll pass for now. If UTSA starts the season 0-2 with losses to the Cougars and Bears, I’ll go back and jump on the more favorable numbers. Also, Vegas has them at 7 to 1 to win their first Conference USA crown. The +700 is tempting, but I’ll again be patient knowing that I might still have a chance to play that down the road at plus big money.
Schedule
Sept. 2: Houston
Sept. 9: at Baylor
Sept. 15: Southern
Sept. 23: at Texas State
Sept. 30: OPEN DATE
Oct. 7: Southern Miss
Oct. 14: at North Texas
Oct. 21: Rice
Oct. 28: at UTEP
Nov. 4: at FIU
Nov. 11: UAB
Nov. 18: Marshall
Nov. 25: at Louisiana Tech
The getmoresports.com NCAA College Football Throwdown Podcast will be returning to the air on August 24th. We will be highlighting the first five games on August 26th of the 2017 NCAA College Football season. That will be the first of three installments leading into the first week of the season. We also we will be covering our expectations for the Heisman Trophy front runners as well as predictions for conference winners and team totals.
Our second NCAA College Football Throwdown is penciled in for August 29th. In that installment, we will be discussing all the games that will be played on August 31st and the 1st of September.
Our third segment will officially be airing on August 31st. In this edition of the NCAA College Football Throwdown, we will be covering all the relevant games for Sept 2nd, 3rd, and 4th.
Keeping with tradition, EJ the Rainmaker and Erik the Hun will give their predictions for the contests. On top of that, we will be providing our dog play of the podcast as well as cash money plays for the week. Join us for all three opening episodes and improve your college football knowledge while increasing the size of your sports book betting account. Come join us and help everyone make it rain. #moneytreesgrow Also, feel free to download the
Join us for all three opening episodes and improve your college football knowledge while increasing the size of your sports book betting account. Come join us and help everyone make it rain. #moneytreesgrow Also, feel free to download the getmoresports app from the Google Play Store. It makes finding all your sporting information easy and available with just a touch of an icon on your mobile device.
