College football is finally back! Week 1 kicks off with an intriguing matchup between the first-year FBS program, Kennesaw State Owls, and the UTSA Roadrunners on Saturday, August 31st, 2024. This non-conference battle between the ASUN and Conference USA foes will be a great way to kick off the season.

This blog post will provide you with everything you need to know about Kennesaw State vs UTSA, including:

• When and Where to Watch: The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ at 3:30 PM Eastern Time (ET) on Saturday, August 31st.
• Betting Lines:
  • Spread: UTSA is favored by 25 points (Kennesaw State needs to win by more than 25 points or lose by less than 25 points to “cover the spread”).
    • Betting on the spread is explained further in the blog post.
  • Total: The total score is predicted to be over or under 51 points.
    • Betting on the total is explained further in the blog post.
  • Moneyline: UTSA is favored to win outright (-1300) with Kennesaw State the underdog (+800).
    • Betting on the moneyline is explained further in the blog post.
• Implied Score: Based on the betting spread, the implied score is UTSA 38 – Kennesaw State 13.
• Injury Report: Keep an eye on UTSA’s starting linebacker Martavius French, who is listed as questionable due to a personal misconduct suspension, but .
• In-Depth Analysis: We’ll delve deeper into the matchup, examining each team’s strengths, weaknesses, and key factors that could influence the outcome.

Betting on the Game Explained

• Spread Betting: The point advantage given to the favorite (UTSA) to win the game. If you bet on Kennesaw State +25, they can lose by up to 24 points and you’d still win your bet.
• Total Betting: This is a wager on whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under the predicted total (51 points).
• Moneyline Betting: A straight-up bet on which team will win the game (regardless of the margin of victory).

In-Depth Analysis: Kennesaw State vs UTSA

Kennesaw State Owls

• Strengths:
  • Run-Heavy Offense: The Owls boast a strong rushing attack led by their pistol option offense. This ball-control offense could help them keep the score low and extend possessions.
  • Solid Defense: Kennesaw State has a decent defensive line, but their secondary could be a question mark against a talented UTSA receiving corps.
• Weaknesses:
  • First-Year FBS Program: The Owls are transitioning from FCS to FBS, and it’s always a challenge for teams to adjust to this jump in competition.
  • Offensive Line Concerns: The offensive line could struggle against a good UTSA defensive front, potentially hindering their rushing attack.

UTSA Roadrunners

• Strengths:
  • Experienced Coaching: UTSA has a proven coach in Jeff Traylor, who has led the program to success in recent years.
  • Talented Running Backs: Despite losing their star quarterback Frank Harris, UTSA still has a solid running back corps.
• Weaknesses:
  • Replacing Key Players: The Roadrunners lost a lot of talent on offense, including their starting quarterback Frank Harris. Their new starting quarterback, Owen McCauley, is inexperienced.
  • Defensive Questions: UTSA lost some key defensive players, and their secondary could be vulnerable early in the season.

Prediction

This is a mismatch on paper. UTSA has the clear edge in talent and coaching. However, Kennesaw State’s run-heavy offense and potential to control the clock could keep them in the game. It ultimately comes down to how well the Owls’ offensive line holds up against UTSA’s defensive front.

Parker’s Pick: UTSA -25 (Taking the points with Kennesaw State is tempting, but UTSA’s talent advantage is too much to overcome.)

Final Thoughts

The Kennesaw State vs UTSA matchup is an intriguing way to kick off the college football season. The Owls will be looking to pull off an upset against a talented UTSA team, and odds are that they won’t be able to get it done. Don’t miss this exciting Week 1 matchup!