If you want more Action Network content, be sure to add us as a preferred source on Google.
The UTSA Roadrunners take on the Florida Atlantic Owls in Boca Raton, Fla. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST on ESPN.
UTSA is favored by -7 points on the spread with a moneyline of -265. The total is set at 72.5 points.
Here’s my UTSA vs. FAU prediction and college football pick for Thursday, November 5, 2026.
UTSA vs FAU Prediction
- UTSA vs. FAU Pick: FAU +7 (-115)
My FAU vs. UTSA best bet is on the Owls to cover at home. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page, and be sure to download the Action Network app for more picks and analysis.
UTSA vs FAU Odds
| UTSA Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-7 -105 | 72.5 -115o / -105u | -265 |
| FL Atlantic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+7 -115 | 72.5 -115o / -105u | +215 |
- UTSA vs FAU point spread: UTSA -7 (-105), FL Atlantic +7 (-115)
- UTSA vs FAU over/under: 72.5 (-115o / -105u)
- UTSA vs FAU moneyline: UTSA -265, FL Atlantic +215
UTSA vs FAU College Football Preview
UTSA Roadrunners Betting Preview: Lacking Pass Rush
Through the first two months of the college football season, UTSA has one loss on its ledger, and that came via a 30-6 road loss at Texas (who, at the time, was ranked No. 1). Jeff Traylor continues to get the most out of his roster — UTSA's four wins in close games this season are a testament to great coaching.
It's not just a potent passing game led by Owen McCown; Rick Bowie has utilized a very effective run game. The Roadrunners rank fifth in Rushing Success Rate, thanks to a trio of backs: Will Henderson III (662 yards), A'Marion Peterson (10 touchdowns), and Brandon High Jr. (288 yards).
UTSA's offensive line also landed on the Joe Moore Award midseason Top 25, and that's quite an accomplishment considering (a) there are four new starters in place this year and (b) the line has needed some reshuffling on occasion due to injuries.
A top-30 offense is bound to draw the headlines, but UTSA's defense under Jess Loepp has been serviceable. It forced sixTulane turnovers last game, four of which came via fumble. The reworked defensive front holds its own in the run game, but UTSA really lacks a pass rush.
So far, that hasn't been an enormous issue, especially since a veteran secondary has kept opposing throw games more or less in check. But this week against FAU and next against North Texas, the Roadrunners will need to generate pressure somehow.
On the flip side, the offensive line needs to do a better job in pass protection, as the 94 pressures on McCown are second-most in the American (though a sack taken on just 12.5% of those pressures is second-best).
Florida Atlantic Owls Betting Preview: Fragile Defense
Finally, FAU's offense under Zach Kittley has blossomed into the unstoppable machine it was hoped to be. Caden Veltkamp has the fourth-most passing yards (2,500) and fifth-most passing touchdowns (23) on the season. He has a nation-best 22 big-time throws and his 79.5% completion rate (adjusted for throwaways and drops) is second-best in the conference.
All that's to say, Veltkamp has been a total stud.
It also helps to have an alpha receiver, which Veltkamp has in Easton Messer. A flip switched following FAU's Week 6 bye and, since then, Messer has averaged 15.3 targets per game and gone over 100 yards each time (six touchdowns). That production came to a head in FAU's narrow 48-41 loss to North Texas, a game Messer hauled in all 16 targets for 189 yards and three touchdowns.
That's the Owls' Achilles heel — even with an outstanding game like that, FAU still lost because its defense allowed 48. That marks three straight games allowing at least 48 points; the previous two allowed opponents 49 (Rice) and 56 (Army). It's not sustainable for a team looking to continue its winning ways, highlighted in the 56-24 loss at Army.
FAU doesn't have much by way of a pass rush, and there are too many cooks in the kitchen. DC Brett Dewhurst rotates his players frequently — sometimes due to injury, other times due to performance, but it also appears to be his philosophy — so much so that 23 different players have logged at least 100 defensive snaps (14 with 200+).
It's more scathing to the starting 11, where, per PFF defense grades, there's not much of a drop-off from Player 1 to Player 18.
FAU will remain a terrific watch as it plays in shootouts this season.
UTSA vs FAU Pick, Betting Analysis
This game is all about betting numbers. At FAU +7 or better, sharp action moves in; at UTSA -7 or better, sharp action comes in on the other side, making 7 a real battleground on Thursday night.
There's also plenty of opinions on the total, which has been as low (relatively speaking) as 70.5 and as high as 74.5. Action PRO logs four sharp moves on the over and two sharp moves on FAU +7 or better.
A game with a projected high total also projects high variance. FAU's passing attack should have itself a good day given UTSA's lack of a pass rush. Messer should have another high-volume outing, as well, since UTSA leans heavier into zone coverage and Messer is a master route runner.
This season, UTSA has found itself largely in one-score games. Its biggest win over an FBS foe came last game just before its bye week with a 42-19 dismantling of Tulane.
However, that win was also helped along by six turnovers (four fumbles), a number that's unwise to forecast again. Linebacker Owen Pewee also logged three sacks himself, a herculean effort considering the senior had one otherwise all season.
I'm backing FAU so long as we can get +7 or better.
The Owls come off a tough road loss and, though UTSA has the rest advantage, FAU did get a full week's rest. UTSA, meanwhile, comes off its best (and most fortunate) game of the season.
Pick: FAU +7 (-115, DraftKings)
