Louisiana Tech vs UTSA Odds & Prediction: Target This C-USA Total
Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images. Pictured: Frank Harris (UTSA)
Louisiana Tech vs UTSA Odds
| Louisiana Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+17.5 -115 | 68.5 -110o / -110u | +740 |
| UTSA Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-17.5 -105 | 68.5 -110o / -110u | -1250 |
UTSA looks to stay atop the Conference USA standings as it matches up against Louisiana Tech.
The Roadrunners are winners of six games in a row and look to take a stranglehold atop the conference this week. UTSA's only two losses this season came in triple-overtime to Houston and at Texas. Since the loss to the Longhorns, the Roadrunners have outscored their opponents by 13 points per game.
The UTSA offense is poised for a big day against a lackluster Louisiana Tech defense. The Bulldogs are allowing over 40 points per game and have held only two opponents below the 30-point mark.
Louisiana Tech will need to win its remaining three games to become bowl eligible. That’s a mighty ask with a matchup against the conference leader looming this week.
This matchup has all the makings for a shootout with two high-powered offenses.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Louisiana Tech received a much-needed win last week against Middle Tennessee after dropping five of its previous six contests.
That victory can be attributed to quarterback Parker McNeil returning to the lineup after missing two weeks. The Bulldogs offense has relied on his arm as they pass the ball at a top-20 rate in the country.
The redshirt senior has carried the offense this season while averaging 240 passing yards per game and 8.9 yards per pass attempt. In McNeil’s return last week, he threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns over Middle Tennessee.
The defense played its best game of the season as it held Middle Tennessee to 24 points and 420 yards of total offense. That speaks volumes about how bad this group has been.
The Bulldogs defense is allowing over 41 points and 490 yards of total offense per game this season. They’ve shown an inability to slow down opposing rushing attacks as they have allowed 6.1 yards per carry, which ranks 129th nationally. That’s a major cause for concern matching up against a run-heavy UTSA offense.
UTSA Roadrunners
UTSA continues its reign over its fellow Group of Five counterparts. That’s because the Roadrunners own one of the most prolific offenses of any non-Power Five program in the country.
Their fast tempo has led to an average of 35 points and 482 yards of total offense per game. The offense has a nice balance with a 50% Rush Rate and those run plays averaging 4.1 yards per carry.
But the offense really thrives behind the arm of quarterback Frank Harris. The redshirt senior has been stellar as he is averaging over 310 passing yards per game while completing 70% of his passes. Harris is averaging 8.6 yards per pass attempt and has tossed 21 touchdowns. He’s in for a field day against a horrific Louisiana Tech defense.
However, the Roadrunners defense has shown some chinks in the armor this season. The group is allowing over 30 points per game and has been exposed both on the ground and through the air.
If UTSA is to get upset in this letdown spot, it will be because Louisiana Tech lit the defense up through the passing game.
Louisiana Tech vs UTSA Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Louisiana Tech and UTSA match up statistically:
Louisiana Tech Offense vs. UTSA Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 108 | 6 | |
| Line Yards | 108 | 17 | |
| Pass Success | 84 | 52 | |
| Pass Blocking** | 117 | 73 | |
| Havoc | 102 | 36 | |
| Finishing Drives | 101 | 35 | |
| ** Pass Blocking (Off.) vs. Pass Rush (Def.) | |||
UTSA Offense vs. Louisiana Tech Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 27 | 118 | |
| Line Yards | 11 | 119 | |
| Pass Success | 6 | 48 | |
| Pass Blocking** | 103 | 109 | |
| Havoc | 15 | 90 | |
| Finishing Drives | 27 | 76 | |
| ** Pass Blocking (Off.) vs. Pass Rush (Def.) | |||
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 127 | 123 |
| PFF Coverage | 48 | 91 |
| SP+ Special Teams | 108 | 96 |
| Seconds per Play | 25.6 (48) | 23.0 (12) |
| Rush Rate | 47.6% (101) | 50.9% (80) |
Data via CollegeFootballData.com (CFBD), FootballOutsiders, SP+, Pro Football Focus and SportSource Analytics.
Louisiana Tech vs UTSA Betting Pick
There is no doubt that UTSA is going to light up the scoreboard in this matchup. The program ranks 12th in Seconds Per Play and owns one of the most prolific offenses in the Group of Five. The Roadrunners get to match up against the worst defense in Conference USA which hasn’t shown an ability to slow down the run.
However, the Roadrunners defense hasn’t played to the same standards as the offense this season. UTSA ranks 123rd in the nation in Tackling, according to PFF.
Louisiana Tech also plays with a quick pace that ranks 48th nationally. The Bulldogs are a pass-heavy offense and have thrived with McNeil under center. He’s going to find success in the passing game and lead his team down the field consistently against this UTSA defense.
I see both offenses finding success through the air in what will be a back-and-forth game where stops are few and far between.
Pick: Over 68 ⋅ Play to 69.5 |
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