UTSA football: Will Roadrunners contend for C-USA West title in 2021?

How will UTSA football fare in 2021?

Last season was a big success for the Roadrunners as they were expected to be in complete rebuilding mode but instead won some big games. This season, the Roadrunners will be asked to do more as they hope to contend for the C-USA West title.

UTSA will have many star players returning that helped propelled the team to bowl eligibility. These will be the leaders that look to bring the team to heights the program has never experienced before. While it is possible, the schedule will be brutal in and outside the conference.

• Game 1: at Illinois (L) – The Fighting Illini are in the process to rebuild with Bret Bielema as their head coach. They are established enough to avoid trap games like the Roadrunners.
• Game 2: Lamar (W) – UTSA gets their first win of the season at home against a Cardinals team that went 2-4 last season.
• Game 3: Middle Tennessee (W) – The Roadrunners barely squeezed out a 37-35 win at home against Middle Tennessee. They should be more focused in this season against the Blue Raiders.
• Game 4: at Memphis (L) – UTSA will have another tough road non-conference opponent in the Memphis Tigers.
• Game 5: UNLV (W) – The Roadrunners finish out their non-conference schedule against a Rebels team that accumulated a 0-6 overall record last season.
• Game 6: at Western Kentucky (W) – The Hilltoppers were a disaster on offense as they ranked 114th in scoring offense (19 points per game). UTSA’s defense will have an easy task this game.
• Game 7: Rice (W) – The timeframe for the Owls to rebuild their program is a lot more than UTSA’s process.
• Game 8: at Louisiana Tech (L) – Louisiana Tech will have a much more effective defense with ten starters returning in 2021.
• Game 9: at UTEP (W) – The Roadrunners beat the Miners last season by 31 points with a reloading team. Expect the same results this 2021 season.
• Game 10: Southern Miss (W) – Southern Miss had multiple problems on the field and in the locker room last season. Even with a new team outlook, they will have to take time to properly come back.
• Game 11: UAB (L) – The Blazers are expected to repeat as C-USA West divisional champs for a fourth consecutive year with the high-caliber talent they have coming back.
• Game 12: at North Texas (W) – UTSA finishes the 2021 season with the best record as a Division 1 program since 2012.

Final record: 8-4, 6-2 C-USA

The Roadrunners will have their most experienced and talented teams in program history this season. Their experience through past disappointing seasons and rebuilding will shape them to potentially compete for the C-USA West title. They will need the experience and talent on their team with the tough schedule they have this season.

There will be some difficulties at the beginning of the season as they will have to endure tough non-conference road trips to face Illinois and Memphis. There is potential to win these games, but the experience these two teams have developed as a program will be too much to overcome.

As long as the Roadrunners play efficiently on both sides of the ball, they can win six conference games. They are lucky they do not have to face tough East division foes like Marshall or Florida Atlantic in the regular season.

Their team looks to utilize their offense to a high level with running back Sincere McCormick and their offensive line. The real key to the success of their offense is if quarterback Frank Harris will be the efficient leader that the offense needs.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Roadrunners should have one top defense in the conference. They have five players that have given preseason first through third-team honors by Athlon Sports. The Roadrunners will have the potential to upset some big teams, including the UAB Blazers if they continue the path that Jeff Traylor has started.