UTSA vs. FAU football: Preview, scouting report, betting info and prediction

With a few extra days to prepare as UTSA enjoyed an open date on the schedule last week, coach Jeff Traylor had already devoted two practices to installation before upcoming opponent Florida Atlantic took the field against North Texas last Thursday night.  

After watching the teams combine for 1,160 yards of offense as the Mean Green won a 48-41 shootout in Boca Raton, Fla., Traylor returned to the Roadrunners’ facility for Friday’s walkthrough holding an even healthier respect for what the Owls bring to the table. 

“They looked even better than I anticipated,” Traylor said. “They were already good. They’re snapping it faster now. They’re extremely efficient. What an unbelievable game.”  

READ MORE:How rested UTSA aims to stay sharp at Florida Atlantic

High-flying Florida Atlantic plays at one of the fastest tempos in the country, ranking in the top five in the FBS in passing at 329.6 yards per game. As much as UTSA might attempt to brace for the pace, Traylor said the Roadrunners can run only so many repetitions in practice without the risk of being “too exhausted” to translate the work to the game. 

But UTSA enters the matchup against Florida Atlantic at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Boca Raton, Fla., with its own reasons for optimism. The Roadrunners are 7-1 overall, sit atop the American Conference with a 4-0 record, and have shown Traylor the steady improvement of a team poised for another “November to remember.”   

“I think our best football is still in front of us,” Traylor said. “Y’all might not see it, because we’re fixing to play so many great offenses, but I think our best football is still out there.”  

UTSA (7-1, 4-0 American Conference) at FAU (5-3, 2-2) 

When:6:30 p.m. Thursday 

Where:Flagler Credit Union Stadium, Boca Raton, Fla.  

TV: ESPN 

Radio: 760 AM 

All-time series: FAU leads 3-2 

Last meeting:UTSA 38, FAU 24 on Oct. 19, 2024 in San Antonio 

UTSA at FAU betting info 

Spread: UTSA -7 

Over/under: 73.5 

UTSAvs. FAU: 5 players to watch as Roadrunners look for another road win

What to know about FAU 

Last game:Won 48-41 at North Texas on Oct. 29 

Players to watch: Quarterback Caden Veltkamp keeps FAU’s offense humming. A second-year starter at FAU who was also the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year at Western Kentucky in 2024, Veltkamp is averaging 317 yards per game this season on 71.8% passing with 23 touchdowns against five interceptions. Shifty 5-foot-9 slot receiver Easton Messer has an FBS-leading 74 receptions this season for 898 yards and nine touchdowns, while 6-foot-2 Kelby Valsin has been the top threat out wide, making 60 catches for 752 yards and six scores.  

“We just have to be intentional in coverage and communicating, because the majority of completions come when a defense busts,” UTSA safety Elijah Newell said. “So, just be sound in our coverage, be sound in our communication.”  

When UTSA has the ball 

Facing option offenses Army, Navy and Rice as well as a powerful Florida team through the first eight weeks of the season, Florida Atlantic has been punished on the ground, ranking next to last in the FBS by allowing 255.1 yards per game. Behind the three-pronged threat of running backs Will Henderson, A’Marion Peterson and Brandon High, UTSA’s rushing attack has surpassed 200 yards in three of the past five games, tying a school record with six touchdowns in the most recent win against Tulane. The Roadrunners also expect to boast a more rested offensive line following the open week, setting up the potential for another big day on the ground.  

When FAU has the ball 

FAU coach Zach Kittley is a longtime air raid disciple, starting his career as an assistant at Texas Tech before offensive coordinator stops at Houston Baptist, Western Kentucky and back with the Red Raiders. Traylor called Kitley “one of the greatest offensive minds in our business,” orchestrating another speedy attack behind a strong, accurate quarterback in Veltkamp. In a game with an over/under total of 73.5 that is the highest of the week in the FBS, the Roadrunners are focused on how they limit and bounce back from inevitable mistakes.  

“Something’s going to go wrong. It’s about the next play,” Newell said. “Stopping the next play. It’s not about that play. We can get that play fixed. It’s about the next play.”  

Key matchup 

UTSA’s corners vs. FAU’s receivers 

The cornerbacks group has been perhaps the Roadrunners’ biggest strength this season, with RJ Lester, Zach Morris and twin brothers Ahamad and Asaad Chapman all earning starting opportunities from week to week. Against the most spread offense UTSA has faced this season, the Roadrunners may look to put more than two corners on the field at a time, leveraging their talent in the room.    

Prediction 

UTSA 45, FAU 35 

The Roadrunners turned a corner with their most dominant showing of the season in a 42-19 rout at Tulane two weeks ago, and another double-digit win on the road will put UTSA in the mix for a spot in the top 25.  

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This article originally published at UTSA vs. FAU football: Preview, scouting report, betting info and prediction.