Troy and the UTSA will square off against each other | OSB
Troy vs. UTSA Duluth Trading Cure Bowl odds
The Troy Trojans and the UTSA Roadrunners will square off against each other in Orlando, Florida at Exploria Stadium for the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl. Both teams are ranked in the top 25 in college football as both teams are currently on ten game win streaks. Troy cruised past Coastal Carolina 45-26 last week to win the Sun Belt Championship. Meanwhile, UTSA last week dominated North Texas 48-27 to win the Conference USA Championship.
Troy is looking to keep the momentum from last week and finish their season with a bowl win. Troy was dominant all year in the Sun Belt Conference going 7-1 in conference play. The Trojans were also unbeatable at home this year going a perfect 7-0. Since starting the season with a record of 1-2 losing to Ole Miss and Appalachian State they have gone on a ten-game winning streak. Troy dominated Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt Championship game jumping out to a 31-0 lead. Gunnar Watson completed 12 of his 17 passes for 318 yards, with 3 touchdown passes in the game. The Troy offense led by Watson at quarterback has been decent this year ranking 79th in college football in points per game averaging 25.2 points a game this season. The Watson led offense ranks 58th in passing yards per game averaging 234.8 yards a game this season. Watson also ranks 47th in college football in passing yards with 2,705 yards so far this season. On the other side of the ball the Trojan’s defense has been remarkable all year. Troy’s defense ranks seventh in college football in opponent points per game only allowing teams to score an average of 17.6 points a game this season. Out of the 13 games they’ve played this season the defense has held their opponent to 20 points or lower nine times. They will force you to turnover the ball as they also rank 39th in college football in takeaways per game averaging 1.6 takeaways a game this season.
UTSA is also looking to finish their historic season off with a bowl game victory. UTSA has now won the Conference USA Championship in back-to-back seasons. In the Championship game a couple weeks ago against North Texas the Roadrunners offense was unstoppable scoring 48 points. Sixth year quarterback Frank Harris had an incredible game completing 32-37 passes for 341 yards, with four touchdown passes. Harris also got it done in the running game rushing 16 times for 49 yards and a touchdown. The Roadrunners were unbeatable this year in conference play having a perfect record of 8-0. UTSA’s two losses this year both came against ranked opponents in Houston and Texas. UTSA’s offense ranks 11th in college football in points per game averaging 37.6 points a game this season. With Harris at quarterback the Roadrunners also rank 12th in passing yards per game averaging 297.6 yards a game this season. Harris also, ranks sixth in passing yards this season in college football with 3,865 yards so far this season and is tied for ninth in touchdowns with 31. The Roadrunners defense has been decent this year allowing opponents to score an average of 26.8 points a game this season.
Troy vs. UTSA odds
Betting odds courtesy of PointsBet
- Spread: Troy -1.5
- Over/Under: 55.5
- Moneyline: Troy -125, UTSA +105
Troy are the favorites as they are looking for their eleventh straight win. The Trojans are 10-3 ATS this season and 4-1 ATS in their last five games. The over/under is set at 55.5 with both teams scoring 30 plus points in their last three games. Defensively, Troy has been one of the best defenses in college football allowing teams to score very few points as UTSA’s defense has been decent at best on defense.
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Bowl Game Experience
Troy
Since moving up to the FBS, the Trojans are 5-3 all time in bowl games. Their last bowl game win in 2018 in the Dollar General Bowl against Buffalo winning by a score of 42-32. Troy has won their last four bowl games they have been in.
UTSA
The Roadrunners are looking for their first bowl win in program history. Since joining the FBS in 2011, UTSA is 0-3 in bowl games. Their last bowl game lost came last year in the Frisco Bowl where they lost to San Diego State 38-24. Frank Harris shined in that game though for the Roadrunners completing 22 of his 36 passes for 271 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.
Trends to know
– Trojans are 8-2 ATS after a win this year.
– Roadrunners are 5-5 ATS after a win this year.
– Troy is 5-3 ATS as a favorite this year.
– UTSA is 1-1 ATS as an underdog this year.
-Both teams are 2-2 ATS in non-conference games this year.
Things to look for
How will Co-offensive coordinator Will Stein’s absence affect UTSA’s offense?
A couple weeks ago it was confirmed by UTSA that co-offensive coordinator Will Stein will be leaving and has taken another job to be the offensive coordinator for the Oregon Ducks. This comes at a huge loss for the Roadrunners as Stein was a master mind on offense and helped UTSA to become one of the best offensives in college football. Stein was also the one who was working and helping with Frank Harris closely this season.
How will Troy’s suffocating defense fare against Frank Harris and company?
This is game is a tough test for both teams on their respected sides of the ball. This is the matchup you will want to be watching out for. How will Troy plan on stopping Frank Harris and one of the best offensives in college football. On the other hand, how will UTSA score on a Troy defense that doesn’t allow a whole lot of action in the endzone.
Prediction
Troy’s defense becomes too much for Frank Harris and UTSA’s offense and limits the big plays. The Roadrunners missing OC Will Stein will show in this game as their offense struggles. Harris will make plays for the Roadrunners to score and keep them in the game for a while, but it will not be enough as Gunnar Watson and Kimani Vidal become too much for the UTSA defense ultimately. The Trojan’s defense makes enough stops this game for Troy to win the game.
Prediction: Troy 38, UTSA 24. Troy covers the spread (-1.5).
