Western Kentucky’s top-ranking passing game goes against a pretty good Texas-San Antonio defense when the teams meet in the Conference USA championship game Friday night on the Roadrunners’ home turf at the Alamodome. This game is a rematch of a crazy game played back in October, a high-scoring UTSA victory. But early betting action moved the Roadrunners from favorites to underdogs for Friday night. Which way are we going here with our free college football betting pick?
CUSA Championship Game Betting Odds
Championship Week’s college football betting lines opened UTSA as a 2.5-point favorite over WKU, with an over/under of right around 72. Early betting action then flipped the Hilltoppers into one-point favorites and now to -3.5.
Conference USA Championship Game Betting Preview
Western Kentucky reached this CUSA championship game by going 7-1 in conference play to win the East Division. The Hilltoppers started 1-4 this season with a loss to UTSA in their CUSA opener. But WKU recovered to win its last seven games in a row, finishing off with a 53-21 romp at Marshall last Saturday. So Western Kentucky is back in the CUSA title tilt for the first time since winning back-to-back conference championships back in 2015-16. The Hilltoppers actually trailed the Thundering Herd last Saturday 14-0 in the second quarter, then went on a 36-0 run spanning the halves to take control, on their way toward victory, a division title and the cover as one-point favorites. WKU out-gained Marshall 485-325 and won the turnover battle 2-0, creating a +10 points differential. Western Kentucky has now out-gained each of its last nine opponents. It’s also scored at least 42 points seven times over its last eight games. Texas-San Antonio, meanwhile, reached this CUSA championship game by also going 7-1 in conference play to win the West Division. The Roadrunners started 11-0 this season, with wins over Illinois, Memphis and Western Kentucky. But with a chance to go perfect through the regular season UTSA got upset last week in the rain at North Texas 45-23. Nonetheless the ‘Runners are playing in their first Conference USA title contest. UTSA, playing as a 9.5-point favorite last week and with the division title already in hand, fell down 10-0 quick and trailed 31-13 at the half. The Roadrunners then gave up the first 14 points out of the locker room and that was about it for their quest for a perfect season. UTSA got out-gained by the Mean Green 456-366, gave up 340 yards on the ground, turned the ball over three times, lost time of possession by a 37:23 split, fumbled a kick-off away and muffed two punts. In other words, nothing went right for the ‘Runners last week. Which makes them excellent candidates for a bounce-back effort this week. The Roadrunners have actually been out-gained and out-rushed each of their last two games. Two weeks ago UTSA got out-played by UAB but scored a touchdown with three seconds left to win 34-31.
On the personnel front ‘Runners starting QB Frank Harris didn’t play after halftime last week. Hopefully he’s good to go for Friday night.
More Picks: Oregon at Utah Pac-12 Championship Betting Odds & Pick
Common Opponents
These two teams played two common opponents this season; UTSA played Middle Tennessee and Rice to a 2-0 record both SU and ATS and +277 yards per game while WKU played those two foes to 2-0 both SU and ATS but only +43 YPG.
- Get more details: WKU vs. UTSA Betting Stats
Western Kentucky-UTSA Recent History
These two teams just met back in Week 6 of this season, a crazy 52-46 Roadrunners victory in Bowling Green. Both teams moved up and down the field all night but in the end UTSA secured the victory with an interception inside their own 5-yard line. The ‘Runners won that game outright as 3.5-point dogs and that game rolled over a total of 72.
Totals Report
Overs are 8-4 in Hilltoppers games this season, which are averaging a healthy 70 total points. Totals are split 6-6 in Roadrunners games this season, which are averaging 59 points.
