UTSA vs. South Florida Prediction: Odds and Picks for Thursday’s AAC Clash
UTSA and South Florida (USF) face off in a crucial match on Thursday night. Despite potential disappointment by the season's end, both teams rank among the strongest in the Group of 5.
South Florida's Season Overview
USF surprised many early this season with notable wins against Boise State and Florida. However, a loss to Memphis last week significantly hurt their College Football Playoff chances. While the AAC Championship Game remains attainable, the Bulls must finish undefeated and rely on favorable outcomes in other games.
UTSA's Chances and Recent Performance
UTSA's path to the AAC title is slimmer but still possible if they defeat USF on Thursday. Entering as a two-score underdog, the Roadrunners still pose a threat. Their Week 10 victory over Tulane, 48-26 at the Alamodome, was a season-best performance, especially after a heavy 55-17 loss to North Texas the previous week.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Both Teams
- UTSA’s offense ranks 37th nationally according to SP+, capable of competing with top Group of 5 teams.
- Their defense struggles, ranking 98th in SP+.
- USF performs better overall, with offense and defense ranked 22nd and 63rd respectively per SP+.
"The Roadrunners can light up a scoreboard with the best teams in the Group of 5, but the defense has been a mess all season."
"USF was one of the surprise packages in the early going with wins over Boise State and Florida."
Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance but face challenges that make this matchup particularly compelling.
Author’s summary: UTSA and South Florida clash with high stakes, as both teams balance strong offenses with defensive weaknesses, making this a critical and unpredictable AAC showdown.