The champions of Conference-USA meet the champions of the Sun Belt in the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl Friday afternoon in Orlando. The Roadrunners won their last 10 games and feature CUSA’s Player of the Year at quarterback. The Trojans also won their last 10 games and feature the SBC’s Defensive Player of the Year at linebacker.
The computer ratings rank these teams very close and the spread on the game says the same thing.
Which way are we going here with our free college football betting pick?
Duluth Trading Care Bowl Betting Odds
The college football bowl betting lines opened Texas-San Antonio at -1.5 for this bowl game, with an over/under of right around 55. Early betting action then flipped Troy into a two-point favorite.
According to Sagarin’s CFB ratings at USAToday.com this game should be a pick ‘em.
Duluth Trading Cure Bowl Betting Preview
UTSA finished 11-2 this season, played a perfect 8-0 in CUSA play, then beat North Texas two weeks ago to win its second straight conference championship 48-27. So the Roadrunners are back in a bowl for the third straight season.
UTSA, favored by eight points over the Mean Green two weeks ago, trailed 10-7 in the second quarter, then used a 24-3 run to take control, on its way to the victory and the cover.
The Roadrunners scored at least 30 points 12 times in 13 games this season.
UTSA’s only losses this season came in triple-overtime against Houston 37-35 and at Texas 41-20. And that loss to the Longhorns was closer than that score might indicate, considering the Roadrunners only trailed 24-20 late in the third quarter and had the ball around midfield, before a pick-six ruined the day.
UTSA is 0-3 SU, 2-1 ATS all-time in bowls, all played over the last six seasons. Last year the Roadrunners lost the Frisco Bowl to San Diego State 38-24 and came up short ATS at +3.
Troy, meanwhile, also finished 11-2 this season, played 7-1 in SBC play, then beat Coastal Carolina two weeks ago 45-26 to win its first conference title since 2017. So the Trojans are back in a bowl after missing out each of the last three seasons.
Playing as a six-point favorite against the Chanticleers two weeks ago Troy scored the first 31 points of the game and led 31-7 at the half. The Trojans let CCU get within 31-13 early in the third quarter but re-applied the gas, scored twice and cruised from there for the win and the money.
Troy scored at least 34 points each of its last three times out. It also held eight of its last 12 opponents to 17 points or less.
The Trojans’ only losses this season came against Ole Miss 28-10 and 32-28 at Appalachian State on a Hail Mary on the final play of the game.
Troy is 4-0 both SU and ATS over its last four bowl games. Most recently, in 2018, the Trojans beat Buffalo in the Dollar General Bowl 42-32.
These two teams played two common opponents this season; Army and Western Kentucky. UTSA played those two foes to 2-0 SU, 1-1 ATS and +11 yards per game, Troy to 2-0 SU, 1-1 ATS but -74 YPG.
- Get more details: UTSA Roadrunners vs. Troy Trojans Betting Stats
By the Numbers
UTSA averaged 486 YPG on offense this season, allowed 405 YPG defensively, while playing what Sagarin ranked as the 124th-toughest schedule in CFB.
Troy averaged 375 YPG on offense, allowed just 326 YPG on defense, while playing Sagarin’s 94th-toughest schedule.
College Football Betting Trends
Over the last seven meetings between these two conferences – this season and last bowl season – CUSA is 4-3, both SU and ATS.
Totals Report
The Overs played 8-5 in UTSA games this season, which averaged 65 total points.
The Unders played 7-6 in Troy games, which averaged 44 points.
