Photo by Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
UTSA Roadrunners (11-1) vs WKU Hilltoppers (8-4)
Game Info: Friday, December 3, 2021 at 7:00 pm (Alamodome)
Betting Odds: UTSA Roadrunners -2.5 -- Over/Under: 74.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: CBSSN Stream live sports and exclusive originals on ESPN+. Sign up now! 
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will travel to the Alamodome to take on the UTSA Roadrunners this Friday night in the Ryan Conference USA Championship.
The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers finished their regular season with an overall record of 8-4 record and earned a trip to the Conference USA Championship after winning the East Division with a 7-1 conference record. Western Kentucky had a slow start to their season, starting the year with just a 1-4 record, however, the Hilltoppers were outstanding down the stretch winning their last 7 games which included a 53-21 victory over the Marshall Thundering Herd this past weekend to clinch a trip to the C-USA Championship.
Western Kentucky has been led this season by their offense which comes into this game averaging 43.3 ppg on 525.1 total yards per game (422.8 passing yds/g; 102.3 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Western Kentucky has been led by QB Bailey Zappe who has completed 70.0% of his passes for 4968 yards, 52 TD, & 9 INT. The top receiving threats for the Hilltoppers have been Jerreth Sterns (127 rec, 1539 yards, 12 TD), Mitchell Tinsley (71 rec, 1126 yards, 10 TD), Daewood Davis (38 rec, 652 yards, 8 TD), & Malachi Corley (66 rec, 650 yards, 7 TD). Leading the way for the Hilltoppers backfield has been the duo of Noah Whittington (90 att, 452 yards, TD) & Adam Cofield (80 att, 373 yards, 4 TD).
Defensively, Western Kentucky is allowing their opponents to an average of 27.0 ppg on 411.3 total yards per game (261.9 passing yds/g; 149.4 rushing yds/g).
The UTSA Roadrunners finished their season with an impressive 11-1 record, while earning a trip to the Conference USA Championship after clinching the West Division with a 7-1 conference record. UTSA has one of the best seasons in the program history in which the Roadrunners cracked the top-25, however, their quest for an undefeated season came up short after losing to the North Texas Mean Green by a 45-23 margin last week.
On the season, UTSA is averaging 36.9 ppg on 433.5 total yards per game (254.5 passing yds/g; 179.0 rushing yds/g). Offensively, UTSA has been led by RB Sincere McCormick who has 1275 rushing yards & 12 TD on 263 carries. QB Frank Harris has completed 66.3% of his passes for 2688 yards, 23 TD, & 5 INT while also rushing for 479 yards & 5 TD. The top receiving threats for the Roadrunners have been Zakhari Franklin (67 rec, 871 yards, 10 TD), Joshua Cephus (66 rec, 758 yards, 6 TD), De’Corian Clark (42 rec, 624 yards, 5 TD), & Oscar Cardenas (12 rec, 176 yards, 2 TD).
Defensively, UTSA is holding their opponents to an average of 22.2 ppg on 346.8 total yards per game (225.2 passing yds/g; 121.6 rushing yds/g).
The Hilltoppers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall & 7-3 ATS in their last 10 road games. The Roadrunners are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning record & 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games overall.
UTSA was able to defeat Western Kentucky early in the season and a high-scoring, 52-46, battle, however, I think it’s hard to pass on Western Kentucky as the offense has continued to put up incredible numbers, while the defense has really improved over the 2nd half of the season as during the Hilltoppers 7-game winning streak, the defense is allowing just 18.9 ppg. UTSA is going to score some points here, however, the defense has not looked that great over the past two weeks, allowing North Texas & UAB to combine for 76 points, and as I think Bailey Zappe and the Hilltoppers top-ranked passing attack have plenty of success in this one, my play here it to take Western Kentucky to cover this small spread in what should be a high-scoring game. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Western Kentucky Hilltoppers -2.5 / Over 74.5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
