11/15 CFB Preview: North Texas -1.5 at Texas San Antonio (Total 72.5)
North Texas travels to UTSA for a matchup that promises to light up the scoreboard. UTSA is in need of two wins to become bowl eligible, while North Texas is looking to clinch their own bowl invite tonight. UTSA has won two of their last three games, including a 44-36 victory over Memphis, which handed the Tigers their second loss of the season. Meanwhile, North Texas enters the game on a three-game losing streak, having struggled against some of the top teams in the league.
If I were to choose a side in this matchup, I would lean toward UTSA, given North Texas’s recent skid. However, the best bet in this game is the over 72.5 points.
Before last week’s matchup with Army, North Texas had seen their previous three games total 78 or more points. The Mean Green offense has been able to carry their high-scoring attack on the road, where game totals have soared past this number in all four of their away games (96, 78, 88, and 90). The high-powered passing attack of North Texas matches up well against a UTSA defense that has struggled with stopping the pass. This bodes well for a game that could see a lot of points on the board.
Turning to UTSA, we see a team that has been involved in two high-scoring affairs recently, with totals of 80 and 91 points in their last two games. A subpar Tulsa offense managed to score 45 points on them, but UTSA’s offense has been on fire, putting up 44, 45, and 38 points in their last three games. Against a porous North Texas defense, expect the Roadrunners to continue their offensive success and put up points in bunches.
Both teams have been involved in shootouts lately, and there’s little reason to believe this game will be any different. The defenses are both vulnerable, and the offenses are more than capable of putting up big numbers. Don’t let the high total scare you off—this game has all the makings of a shoot out.
With both teams capable of scoring at will and defenses that have been exposed, the over 72.5 is the best bet here. Look for touchdowns in bunches as it’s hard to envision a scenario where the total doesn’t go over.
Lean: North Texas/UTSA Over 72.5