UTSA (0-0) vs Kennesaw State (0-0)
Game Info: Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 3:30 pm (Alamodome)
Betting Odds: UTSA -25 / Kennesaw State +25 --- Over/Under: 49.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Kennesaw State Owls and the UTSA Roadrunners meet in week 1 college football action from the Alamodome on Saturday afternoon. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Kennesaw State vs. UTSA prediction.
Kennesaw State Team Preview
The Kennesaw State Owls will make their FBS debut, coming up from the FCS after a successful tenure with 4 playoff appearances since the Owls’ football program opened in 2015. Davis Bryson is expected to lead the Owls’ option attack, averaging 8.6 yards per carry while Michael Benefield will likely be the leader of the Owls’ backfield with 546 rushing yards and 6 yards per carry. Alexander Diggs and Yesiah Clemons will add some depth to KSU’s backfield, while Gabriel Benyard is the top receiver coming in after leading Kennesaw State with 333 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns last season.
On defense, Tyler Scott, Jordan Miles and Ugonna Nwoha provide three strong pass rush options on the defensive line, while Donelius Johnson is back at linebacker after leading the Owls with 48 tackles last season. Jalen Barnum and Jamar Rucks each have serious promise at linebacker alongside Johnson as well. JeRico Washington is back in Kennesaw’s secondary after putting up 3 INTs last year while Jayven Williams had 23 tackles in four games last season. Kennesaw State will play against Louisiana following this game.
Why the Kennesaw State Owls will win
- UTSA has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games against non-conference opponents.
UTSA Team Preview
The UTSA Roadrunners will look to build on another successful season from the 2023 campaign, finishing the year at 9-4 overall including a 7-1 mark in AAC conference play. The Roadrunners would be invited to the Frisco Bowl, where they’d knock off Marshall by a final score of 35-17. The Frank Harris era is over for the Roadrunners, but Owen McCown is ready to step in. With the injuries that Harris dealt with last year, it meant that McCown could get in plenty of reps and he threw for 442 yards, 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions on 74.1% passing.
The loss of receivers Joshua Cephus and Tykee Ogle-Kellogg will hurt, but Devin McCuin is back after finishing 2nd on the Roadrunners with 42 receptions for 546 yards and 3 TDs as a freshman. The Roadrunners backfield may be the strength of this team with the development of McCown ahead, with the three-headed monster of Kevorian Barnes, Rocko Griffin and Robert Henry back in the fold. On defense, Jamal Ligon and Martavius French lead the linebacking group while Denver Harris transfers in as does Jermarius Lewis and Zach Morris to bolster the depth in UTSA’s secondary.
Why the UTSA Roadrunners will win
- UTSA has won each of its last 14 home games against opponents from the Conference USA.
- The favorite has covered the spread in each of UTSA's last four games.
Kennesaw State vs. UTSA Prediction
I’m leaning towards Kennesaw State here. I’m not saying the Owls won’t get handled here, but this is a big line for a UTSA team that’s undergoing a huge overhaul at QB with Frank Harris gone, and until McCown gets comfortable at game speed, I’m thinking the Roadrunners take a run-heavy approach here which will chew up a lot of clock and likely limit possessions.
Along with a Kennesaw State team that uses the option as their bread and butter, I wouldn’t be surprised if this game plays closer to the pace of a service academy game. There will probably be a few more points, but I still think Kennesaw State can keep this one respectable in their debut. Give me the points with the Owls.
Chris’s Pick Kennesaw State +25
AUTHOR: Chris Ruffolo
Mitch's Take...
