Week 2 of the college football season brings more action as Power 5 conferences such as the ACC join the frenzy. If you haven’t already, read up on our predictions for Week 2 and all featured matchups.
In the meantime, we will set you up with more predictions and information surrounding the sport’s bottom feeders. What’s not to love about college football? It comes in many forms. There was a time not so long ago where we thought we might not even get to this point. So, sit back and enjoy ALL the football going on this weekend and let us bring you the best information and advice.
Texas State vs. UTSA
Saturday, Sept 12, 3:30 p.m. EST
Bobcat Stadium
San Marcos, TX
Texas State has been the epitome of a cellar-dweller when it comes to FBS football. The Bobcats have won no more than 3 games in five straight years. However, their fortune is set to change under head coach, Jake Spavital.
Spavital has spent time coaching for Power 5 teams such as Texas A&M, West Virginia, and California. The former Missouri State quarterback enters his second season at Texas State. Many older faces have exited.
Several new faces have transferred in. Former Memphis quarterback Brady McBride is among many who left a Power 5 conference to play for the Bobcats.
One of the things that killed Texas State last year was not capitalizing enough in the red zone. In 2019, they ranked 115th in FBS in red zone scoring percentage (73.08). Last week they improved in that category, scoring four out of five times against a respectable SMU team.
Texas State also struggled turning the ball over in 2019. It’s too early to tell how careful they will be in 2020, but they came away with a +1 rating in the turnover margin despite two giveaways against the Mustangs. The Bobcats lost 24-31.
On the other side, UTSA offers plenty of unknowns. New head coach Jeff Traylor comes to San Antonio, TX, after spending two seasons as the Arkansas Razorbacks running backs coach.
The Roadrunners won four games last season, but that doesn’t mean they are a step ahead of their I-35 rival. In 2019, UTSA ranked outside of the top-90 in red zone scoring, third down conversions per game, and turnovers per game.
Traylor’s crew doesn’t have the luxury of game experience in 2020. They were also hit with news of several COVID-19 positives on the team this past week.
While it is not revealed who those players are that will be held out, one would be leery of investing any kind of money on the Roadrunners and risk laying stake on a team that could potentially be without star players or a depleted position group.
The number here has come crashing down in a matter of 48 hours. Most books currently have this game set at -6.5, with Texas State being the home favorite.
As early as yesterday, a bettor could have caught 9.5 points with UTSA. I don’t understand why the line is coming down here. Too many people think the Bobcats are overvalued. That’s not the case at all.
I am going with the home team, which has a somewhat an established culture and fresh faces itching to make a statement.
Spavital may have had his woes with the likes of Kyler Murray and Kyle Allen, but he has been surrounded by good company for the better part of a decade. His best, and perhaps most popular student of the game, is none other than Johnny Manziel.
Can Spavital turn Brady McBride into the next Johnny Football?
Probably not. But that’s fine. McBride, a former Texas high school football star himself, should feel welcome in his home state. He also should feel good about his running attack averaging 5.0 yards per carry last week. A balanced attack will help open things up for the Bobcat quarterback.
If not, McBride has the ability to improvise. He ran for over 1,000 yards in high school. I think a step down in class pays dividends for McBride. The quarterback will help guide this team toward more wins. And it starts with a big one Saturday afternoon. Texas State wins this one by a touchdown or more.
Texas State -6.5
