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Colorado State vs. UTSA prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the matchup between the Roadrunners and Rams at Hughes Stadium.

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Colorado State vs. UTSA Game Preview

The Roadrunners began the new campaign by downing Alabama State 26-13. Dalton Sturm threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns and added a 51-yard scoring run as well. It was new head coach Frank Wilson’s first NCAA victory. Meanwhile, the Rams fell to Colorado 44-7 in their annual tilt with the Buffaloes. CSU has a mess on its hands at quarterback, where head coach Mike Bobo used starter Nick Stevens and backup Faton Bauta, the Georgia transfer. Both of the signal-callers were underwhelming. Bauta will get the nod in the game against UTSA, which fell to CSU 33-31 last season.

What To Know About UTSA

The Roadrunners received a strong opening effort from Sturm, who finished 20-of-25 passing with an interception. Jalen Rhodes had a rushing touchdown, while Marquez McNair and Kerry Thomas Jr. snagged touchdown passes as well. UTSA set a single-game school record with six sacks and overpowered FCS Alabama State at the line of scrimmage.

What to Know About Colorado State

The Rams have a major issue at the quarterback position. Stevens was unable to find any rhythm in the opener, finishing 6-of-20 passing for 31 yards and two interceptions. Bauta provided a little bit of a spark, tossing a five-yard scoring pass to Marcus Wilson to prevent the first shutout in the CSU-Colorado series since 1957. Bobo saw his team stumble out of the gate with a 1-2 mark last season, and it still went to the Arizona Bowl. But finding stability at quarterback is crucial.

Advantages

Offense: UTSA. The quarterback situation for the Rams cannot be trusted at this point.

Defense: Colorado State. UTSA was very porous defensively last season, so we’ll see if it is improved against some improved competition.

Special Teams: Colorado State. The Rams have a strong kicking game with second-team all-conference punter Hayden Hunt and kicker Wyatt Bryan.

Coaching: Colorado State. Both head coaches lack head-coaching experience, but Wilson remains untested.

Intangibles: Even. Colorado State is desperate, but UTSA has nothing to lose playing a nonconference road game.

Matchup To Watch

UTSA O-Line vs. Colorado State front seven

The Roadrunners allowed an FBS-worst 44 sacks last season, so protecting the quarterback is the No. 1 priority for Wilson’s squad. But CSU is rebuilding its entire front four and its secondary is inexperienced. A lack of pass rush could expose that secondary and make it easy on a UTSA offensive line that has some issues. Keep an eye on whether or not the Roadrunners’ O-Line can assert its will in the trenches.

Betting Odds

Spread: Colorado State -9.5

Over/Under: 56

Colorado State vs. UTSA Prediction

The Rams prevailed by two points over the Roadrunners in last year’s meeting, and the program is in a little better health compared to UTSA at this point. While Wilson had never been a head coach at this level before, there is a newfound enthusiasm surrounding the program. CSU has its issues on offense, but I think the running and pass-catching ability of Dalyn Dawkins is the difference. The former Purdue player should have a large role in the offense this fall, and he’ll be leaned on in this one to provide a much-needed spark.

Colorado State vs. UTSA Score Prediction: Colorado State 33, UTSA 29

MORE: Week 2 College Football Bowl Projections