UTSA vs Texas NCAAF Picks & Predictions: Ewers Keeps Making Heisman Case

Rob Paul - Betting Analyst at Covers.com
Rob Paul • Betting Analyst 5+ years betting experience
Updated: Sep 13, 2024 , 09:33 AM ET • 4 min read

With Quinn Ewers playing in the ether, our college football picks see another blowout loss on deck for the Roadrunners when they visit the Longhorns.

NCAAF

Sep 14 • 7:00 PM ET
UTSA
26 %
TEX
74 %
More Picks
Quinn Ewers NCAAF
Photo By - USA TODAY Sports

Coming off a Week 2 win against the defending national champions, Texas welcomes a UTSA program to Austin that’s fresh off a blowout loss.

Unfortunately for the Roadrunners, it won’t get easier in Week 3, and my Texas vs. UTSA predictions are for another tough L.

I highlight why this game is bound to be a blowout in my college football picks for Saturday, September 14.

UTSA vs Texas prediction

My best bet
Texas -35.5 (-115 at BetMGM)

My analysis
This isn’t the UTSA team of past years. Clearly the Roadrunners are feeling the impact of QB Frank Harris, the best player in program history, finally running out of eligibility.

After a sloppy win in Week 1 against a Kennesaw State team playing its first game as a member of the FBS, UTSA had an anvil dropped on its head in Week 2. Rival Texas State won 49-10, exposing its defense and highlighting just how great a college QB Harris was for Jeff Traylor.

So, to expect this team to slow down Quinn Ewers while he’s playing the best football of his collegiate career is a stretch.

Behind Ewers, Texas just beat Michigan with ease and is now fourth in SP+, and second on offense. The new pieces Steve Sarkisian brought in via the transfer portal are clicking, making Ewers & Co. impossible to stop for a Group of Five team.

Colorado State already found that out the hard way in Week 1 when the Longhorns blew the Rams out 52-0. This could be a similar performance for Ewers with the way Gunnar Helm, Isaiah Bond, and Matthew Golden are playing around him. 

Not to mention, Texas has a Top 5 offensive line in the country led by potential first-round pick Kelvin Banks. The big boys up front are a large reason the Longhorns are second in EPA per play on offense.

Meanwhile, the Roadrunners just don’t have the talent to keep up. New starting QB Owen McCown got pulled last week against the Bobcats after going just 10-for-23 with 105 yards in the loss.

This doesn’t look like a Traylor offense at all so far, it’s 92nd in EPA per play and can barely throw the ball. And it’s somehow worse on the ground, ranking 108th in EPA per rush.

Texas has too much talent to not blow UTSA out with SP+ projecting a 48-10 win.

Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account Add as a preferred source on Google

UTSA vs Texas same-game parlay (SGP)

Texas -35.5

Quinn Ewers 3+ passing TDs

Isaiah Bond Over 54.5 receiving yards

It’s hard to find a QB playing better football than Ewers right now, and he’s a Heisman odds favorite because of it. 

He's thrown three touchdowns in both games this season and is coming off a performance against the Wolverines where he was credited with two big-time throws, per PFF.

One player benefiting from Ewers’ play has been Bond. The Alabama transfer’s speed is a game-changer for the offense, and he’s averaging 56 yards per game thus far and 2.33 yards per route run.

That duo is set to torch a UTSA defense that’s 91st in EPA per play and 106th in EPA per dropback with the 97th ranked defense in SP+.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

New Users
Up to $1,500 in bonus bet insurance at BetMGM

Make your football plays at BetMGM, which is offering new users up to $1,500 in bonus bets (if your first bet doesn't win)!

Sign up now to join the King of Sportsbooks, or learn more with our comprehensive BetMGM sportsbook review.

Eligible U.S. locations only

UTSA vs Texas odds

UTSA vs Texas live odds

UTSA vs Texas opening odds

  • Spread: UTSA +35 (-110) | Texas -35 (-110)
  • Moneyline: UTSA OTB | Texas OTB
  • Over/Under: Over 53.5 (-110) | Under 53.5 (-110)

Odds courtesy of BetMGM

UTSA vs Texas spread and Over/Under analysis

  • Coming off its win over Michigan, Texas opened as a 34.5-point favorite, with the line moving further in the Longhorns' direction to between -35.5 and -36.

  • Texas is 2-0 ATS this season, while UTSA is 0-2.

  • The Over/Under opened as low as 53.5 and has since come up to 55.5 at most books.

  • The Longhorns and Road Runners are both 1-1 betting the Over.

UTSA vs Texas betting trend to know

Texas have covered the spread in five of its last eight games at home (+2.80 Units / 32% ROI). Find more college football betting trends for UTSA vs Texas.

UTSA vs Texas game info

Location: DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX
Date: Saturday, 9-14, 2024
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN

UTSA vs Texas latest injuries

UTSA vs Texas weather

Monitor gametime conditions with our College football weather info.

Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

Pages related to this topic

Rob Paul - Contributor at Covers.com
Betting Analyst

Rob Paul has worked in the sports betting industry for several years, primarily covering collegiate sports with a sprinkle of NFL, NBA, WNBA, and CFL. He uses a combination of advanced stats and film to find betting value, and aims to exploit specific matchups with plus-money player props.

A college sports junky, Rob's betting process tends to revolve around which games he plans on watching on a given day/week. He begins the process by looking at the college football/basketball schedule and making a list of what he plans on watching before diving into advanced numbers to help inform how to bet each matchup.

Typically, Rob bets at FanDuel and bet365, as they tend to offer a wider array of collegiate player props. Rob loves the way sports betting can act as a catalyst for telling stories and growing interest in certain sports, particularly Group of Six and FCS football, WNBA, and mid-major college basketball.

Before joining Covers, he contributed to various sports outlets, including FanSided and Pro Football Network, building his college football and NFL experience and expertise while working as a full-time local community journalist.

Popular Content

Covers is verified safe by: Evalon Logo GPWA Logo GDPR Logo GeoTrust Logo Evalon Logo