Coming off one of the most frustrating losses in recent history, UTSA football faces an uphill battle to remain in contention for bowl eligibility. Facing Tulsa, UTSA was an 8.5 road favorite. Now, the Roadrunners return home to the Alamodome, where they are undefeated this season, and are seven-point underdogs to the visiting University of Memphis Tigers.
Matchup History
UTSA and Memphis have met once before back in 2021 during the ‘Runners’ breakout season under coach Jeff Traylor. The Tigers jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter before being outscored 31-7 over the following three quarters. Former UTSA running back Sincere McCormick had 41 carries for 184 yards and three touchdowns; kicker Hunter Duplessis drilled a 42-yard field goal as time expired to seal the win.
X’s and O’s
Memphis enters this matchup second in the American Athletic Conference in total points allowed with 167. Memphis also leads the AAC in sacks with 30, although UTSA is tied with Rice University for second place with 29. The Roadrunner offense will have their hands full trying to contain the Memphis pass-rush. With limited support from the run game and a banged up offensive line, this game will have to be controlled by quarterback Owen McCown.
McCown pieced together his best performance in the team’s loss to Tulsa. Four touchdowns and a record-breaking 434 passing yards was the only bright spot in what was an otherwise ugly game for the ‘Runners.
The UTSA defense will have to step up in order for the Roadrunners to pull off the upset. The Roadrunners are allowing just 91.9 rushing yards per game, which ranks second in the AAC and seventh in the nation. With injuries decimating the UTSA secondary, the Roadrunners will have to pick their poison when trying to defend the Tigers. Do they stuff the box and leave their secondary vulnerable? Or do they drop more linebackers into coverage and rely on the big men up front to win on the line of scrimmage? That is what defensive coordinator Jess Loepp will have to figure out on Saturday.
Injuries
UTSA lost three key members of its secondary in the loss to Tulsa last week. Safety Ken Robinson and defensive backs Zah Frazier and Denver Harris all exited the match early with undisclosed injuries. Traylor said in his Monday press conference that he is unsure of the status of both Frazier and Harris but did provide a little more clarity on Robinson’s injury, saying that the team is awaiting MRI results and that it doesn’t look good.
On the offensive side of the ball, it appears UTSA will roll out the same offensive line combination for the third time in nine games, their overall health is “about the same,” according to Traylor. Senior tight end Oscar Cardenas suffered an injury on his touchdown catch against Tulsa, another name to add to the list of players who have suffered injuries finding the endzone. His status for Saturday is unknown, though UTSA should be fine at that position should he not be able to play. Sophomore tight end Houston Thomas is coming off a career game against the Golden Hurricane and fellow tight ends Patrick Overmyer and Dan Dishman have stepped up and contributed all year.
Prediction
Memphis is a tough team, ranked at No.25 in the coaches poll. With UTSA battling injuries and inconsistency, it’s hard to predict the team’s undefeated home record will remain.
Paisano Pick: Memphis 35, UTSA 14
