Almost a year ago, No. 22 Arizona was nearly on the wrong end of a major upset against the UTSA Roadrunners in San Antonio. The Wildcats got the early season wake-up call and eventually went on to win their division. This year, it’s Arizona’s turn to host a UTSA team that will be almost completely different to last season’s squad after some massive turnover.
Get the full preview of this UTSA-Arizona Week 1 matchup below. Meanwhile, check out more David vs. Goliath matchups with Akron vs. Oklahoma and Wofford vs. Clemson.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]UTSA Roadrunners vs. Arizona Wildcats Preview
Where: Arizona Stadium, Arizona
When: Thursday, September 3, 10:00 PM ET
Line: UTSA Roadrunners (+31.5) at Arizona Wildcats (-31.5) – view all NCAA Football lines
Betting on the UTSA Roadrunners
It was all looking pretty promising for UTSA for the first couple of weeks last season. The senior-laden Roadrunners upset Houston, 27-7, on the road and gave Arizona a bit of a scare in a 26-23 home loss. Things quickly went downhill from there, though, as they finished a disappointing 4-8.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]UTSA could even struggle to match that dismal record this season after a mass exodus of seniors during the offseason. Every single starter on offense is gone, and just three remain on defense. It’ll be quite a tall order for head coach Larry Coker to field even a halfway competitive team.
Blake Bogenschutz is the favorite to start at quarterback in the season opener against Arizona. He played in three games last season – he completed 10 of 16 passes and had 169 yards with a pick against New Mexico – before a broken hand forced him to redshirt his true freshman season.
Junior running back Jarveon Williams (325 yards and three touchdowns last season) and senior tight end David Morgan II (20 catches for 255 yards and a touchdown) will be “Bogey’s” main weapons on offense. However, an offensive line made completely from scratch will be a big obstacle to overcome.
There will be some talent remaining along defensive line with senior Jason Neill and defensive tackle Brian Price, but the secondary isn’t great. It’ll take a monumental effort from this defense to maintain a respectable score on the road.
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Betting on the Arizona Wildcats
2014 was a dream season in the desert as Arizona went 10-4 and won the Pac-12 South. Despite relying on a couple of freshmen in quarterback Anu Solomon and running back Nick Wilson, head coach Rich Rodriguez worked his magic with the Wildcats offense.
Solomon had a rocky game against UTSA, which was just his second career start. He went just 17-of-32 for 231 yards and a touchdown. However, he bounced back well and proceeded to break school freshman records in both passing yards (3,793) and touchdown passes (28).
Wilson, who finished with 1,375 rushing yards and 16 TDs as a freshman and wideout Cayleb Jones (73 catches, 1,019 yards and nine TDs) had much more productive outings against the Roadrunners. Wilson had 174 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Jones had four catches for 143 receiving yards, including an 85-yard score. The two return this season, and should put up even bigger numbers this time around at home against a depleted UTSA defense.
Arizona’s own defense should have its way against the Roadrunners’ completely revamped offense. The defensive line, which returns some key starters, including five-year senior Reggie Gilbert, should dominate UTSA’s all-new O-line. Meanwhile, linebacker Scooby Wright also returns to wreak havoc after an incredible sophomore season where he racked up 163 tackles, 29 tackles for a loss, and 14 sacks.
Arizona is 9-0 in regular season non-conference games under Rich Rodriguez.
Writer’s Prediction
Arizona (-31.5) has too much talent for the Roadrunners. The Wildcats win big and cover at home.
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