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The Roadrunners enter their fifth year under coach Jeff Traylor, aiming to build on the success they've attained thus far. Traylor, with a 39-14 record at UTSA, holds the school's records for total wins and winning percentage—73.6. UTSA enjoyed a successful debut in the American Athletic Conference, finishing 9-4 overall and securing their first bowl victory with a win over Marshall in the Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl.
Entering the 2024 season, the Roadrunners have set their sights on loftier goals, including a potential College Football Playoff berth. However, they face the challenge of replacing key talent, including quarterback Frank Harris, wide receiver Joshua Cephus, and AAC Defensive Player of the Year Trey Moore. Coach Jeff Traylor and his staff will need to develop players in crucial positions, particularly at quarterback, to ensure this season is more of a reload than a rebuild. UTSA will be tested early, with four of their first six games on the road.
Week 1: Kennesaw State Owls
Welcome to the FBS, Kennesaw State! Your initiation: facing a raucous Alamodome crowd eager to see their team kick off the season with a decisive win. The Owls found success at the FCS level, boasting a 71-30 record with four playoff appearances and three conference titles. With Kennesaw State needing to replace last year's quarterback, running back Michael Benefield is expected to carry the load to avoid difficult third-and-long situations. If UTSA can stifle the run, this should be an easy opener for the Roadrunners.
Matchup history: n/a
Last meeting: n/a
Score prediction: UTSA 52, Kennesaw State 17
Record: 1-0
Week 2: at Texas State Bobcats
The I-35 Rivalry is set for its most exciting matchup yet as UTSA and Texas State clash on a hot fall afternoon at Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos, Texas. Texas State coach GJ Kinne made an immediate impact in his first season, leading the Bobcats to a program-best eight wins and their first-ever bowl victory. Kinne looks to elevate an offense that averaged 37 points per game last season by bringing in quarterback Jordan McCloud, the returning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year. McCloud, who posted 3,657 passing yards and 35 touchdowns at James Madison, is expected to thrive in Texas State’s system, potentially surpassing his 2023 numbers.
Matchup history: UTSA leads 5-0
Last meeting: September 2023 in San Antonio, UTSA won 20-13
Score prediction: Texas State 38, UTSA 30
Record: 1-1
Week 3: at Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns came within one completed pass of reaching the national championship game, narrowly falling to the Washington Huskies in the semifinals. Texas is once again aiming for the title game, led by Heisman contending quarterback Quinn Ewers. Ewers heads an offense that averaged 36 points per game last season, backed by a defense expected to be among the Southeastern Conference's best, bolstered by former Roadrunner Trey Moore, who transferred to Texas in the offseason. The best chance for a Roadrunner upset? Catch Texas worn out—physically and emotionally—after a tough road trip to Ann Arbor, Mich. the previous weekend in a top-five showdown with Michigan.
Matchup history: Texas leads 1-0
Last meeting: September 2022 in Austin, Texas won 41-20
Score prediction: Texas 49, UTSA 24
Record: 1-2
Week 4: Houston Christian Huskies
Since 1978, FBS teams have played 3,462 games against FCS opponents, with the FCS winning just 490 times—a modest 14.2 percent success rate. Houston Christian starts their season on the road at SMU, giving UTSA plenty of scouting material. Despite the Huskies' winning record in 2023, this game is expected to be an easy victory for the Roadrunners, likely allowing them to give significant playing time to their second-string players.
Matchup history: n/a
Last meeting: n/a
Score prediction: UTSA 59, Houston Christian 21
Record: 2-2
Week 5: at East Carolina Pirates
The Pirates ended last season with a 2-10 record, their worst finish since 2004 when they went 2-9 in Conference USA. Offensively, East Carolina struggled, ranking last in the conference in yards per game (277.3), rushing yards (1,360) and points per game (17.3). On the bright side, their defense fared much better, finishing third in the conference in yards allowed per game (341.4) and tying for third in points allowed (22.4). Missouri transfer Jake Garcia was recently named the starting quarterback and will be counted on to revitalize the Pirates’ struggling offense.
Matchup history: UTSA leads 1-0
Last meeting: October 2023 in San Antonio, UTSA won 41-27
Score prediction: UTSA 34, East Carolina 20
Record: 3-2
Week 6: Bye
Week 7: at Rice Owls
Rice finished the 2023 regular season with a 6-6 record before falling to Texas State in the First Responder Bowl. It marked the first time Rice ended a season without a losing record since 2014, when they went 8-5 in C-USA. Under coach Mike Bloomgren, the Owls have improved their win total compared to the prior year in five of his six seasons. A key challenge this season will be replacing wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, who was drafted in the third round by the Washington Commanders after a stellar season in which he recorded 71 receptions, 992 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. Continuing the trend of NFL bloodlines, Temple transfer quarterback EJ Warner, son of Kurt Warner, is expected to take over as the starter.
Matchup history: UTSA leads 8-3
Last meeting: November 2023 in San Antonio, UTSA won 34-14
Score prediction: UTSA 28, Rice 18.
Record: 4-2
Week 8: Florida Atlantic Owls
Coach Tom Herman brought a wave of excitement to Boca Raton, Fla., when he was announced as the new head coach of the Owls before last season. However, FAU finished the season 4-8, including a rough stretch in which they lost five of their last six games. Despite Herman's reputation for offensive prowess, the results haven't shown on the field yet, as FAU ranked ninth in the AAC in points per game (23.8). A key decision for Herman will be choosing between Marshall transfer Cameron Fancher and Tyriq Starks at quarterback. Fancher threw for 2,162 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Thundering Herd last season.
Matchup history: FAU leads the series 3-1
Last meeting: October 2023 in Boca Raton, UTSA won 36-10
Score prediction: UTSA 31, FAU 30
Record: 5-2
Week 9: at Tulsa Golden Hurricane
After losing 66-7 on the road to Oklahoma in Week 2 last year, Tulsa fans likely thought they had seen the season's worst defeat. Unfortunately, the Golden Hurricane later suffered another big blowout, losing 69-10 at SMU. Aside from an early home game against Oklahoma State, Tulsa shouldn't have to worry about another 60-point drubbing this season. Offensive coordinator Steve Spurrier Jr. aims to revitalize an offense that ranked No. 10 in the AAC in scoring last year. Utah State transfer QB Cooper Legas may be a key piece in that effort, having thrown for 1,815 yards, 19 touchdowns and 8 interceptions in nine games with the Aggies last season.
Matchup history: UTSA leads 1-0
Last meeting: November 2013 at HA Chapman Stadium, UTSA won 34-15
Score prediction: UTSA 34, Tulsa 24
Record: 6-2
Week 10: Memphis Tigers
Memphis is coming off an impressive 10-3 season and is widely considered the favorite to win the AAC this year. The Tigers are led by second-team All-AAC quarterback Seth Henigan, who threw for 3,883 yards, 32 touchdowns and only 9 interceptions last season. If Memphis can’t maintain their AAC-leading 39.4 points per game on offense, they’ll need to improve on defense to reach double-digit wins again. Last season, the defense allowed 29 points per game, and consistently winning shootouts is rarely a sustainable strategy over multiple seasons.
Matchup history: UTSA leads 1-0
Last meeting: September 2021 in Memphis, UTSA won 31-28
Score prediction: Memphis 41, UTSA 31
Record: 6-3
Week 11: Bye
Week 12: North Texas Mean Green
The Mean Green enter the season aiming for their first winning record since 2018. North Texas moved the ball effectively last year, averaging 495.8 yards and 34.5 points per game. However, quarterback Chandler Rogers transferred to the Cal Golden Bears, leaving a gap in the offense. Replacing one Chandler with another, coach Eric Morris will now turn to TCU transfer Chandler Morris as the new starter. Morris played in seven games for TCU last season, throwing for 1,532 yards, 12 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
Matchup history: UTSA leads 7-5
Last meeting: November 2023 in Denton, UTSA won 37-27
Score prediction: UTSA 28, North Texas 13
Record: 7-3
Week 13: Temple Owls
This matchup represents UTSA's fourth meeting in 2024 against a team with an owl mascot. The past four seasons have been tough for Temple fans, with the team posting a 7-33 record. Coach Stan Drayton faces pressure to show improvement in 2024 after consecutive 3-9 seasons. The loss of starting quarterback EJ Warner to the transfer portal, especially to another AAC team in Rice, adds to the challenge. On defense, the Owls must find ways to generate turnovers, as they ranked last in the FBS in turnover margin per game in 2023.
Matchup history: UTSA leads 1-0
Last meeting: October 2023 in Philadelphia, UTSA won 49-34
Score prediction: UTSA 52, Temple 21
Record: 8-3
Week 14: at Army Black Knights
The 2024 season marks Army’s debut as an official member of the AAC in football, after being independent since 2004 when they were in C-USA. The Black Knights finished last season with a 6-6 record, capped off by four straight wins, including a 17-11 victory over Navy. Quarterback Bryson Daly returns for his second season as the starter, having rushed for 901 yards and 7 touchdowns last year, while also passing for 913 yards, 7 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. On defense, linebacker Kalib Fortner and safety Max DiDomenico are expected to lead the charge.
Matchup history: Army leads 3-1
Last meeting: September 2023 in San Antonio, Army won 37-29
Score prediction: UTSA 31, Army 27
Record: 9-3
UTSA 2024 Regular Season Wrap-Up
In San Antonio, a 9-3 season might be seen as a disappointment when playoffs are the goal. However, most fans will still consider that a successful UTSA 2024 season, until they learn one of those losses was the program's first-ever defeat to Texas State. As with other teams facing key rivals, the outcome of one game can significantly shape how the entire season is perceived.
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