Change is the only constant in college athletics, though the free COVID year of 2020 kept rosters intact longer than normal. That was especially true in the Alamo City as quarterback Frank Harris and safety Rashad Wisdom dawned the coveted No. 0 jersey for UTSA in each of Jeff Traylor’s first four seasons as a collegiate head coach. The Roadrunners won conference titles in 2021 and 2022 and were one game away for playing for another in 2023. With SMU gone and Tulane undergoing a coaching change, the road to another crown is navigable despite the leadership change. 

UTSA ROADRUNNERS 

2023 record: 9-4
2024 record prediction: 9-3 

BIGGEST GAME – at Texas State on Sept. 7 

If ESPN did a weekly GameDay for G5 programs, the Worldwide Leader would likely head to San Marcos in Week 2 for the rivalry game between UTSA and Texas State. To date, the rivalry is one sided with the Roadrunners taking the first five contests, including last year in front of 40K at the Alamodome. A big crowd should be on hand for what could be a G5 eliminator of sorts for the G5 spot in the College Football Playoff because UTSA is a contender in the AAC while Texas State is one of the favorites in the Sun Belt in Year 2 under G.J. Kinne. 

TRAP GAME – at Army on Nov. 30 

Calling a game against a team that’s beat you twice in four seasons isn’t exactly a trap game, but we’ll slot it here for sake of discussion. Army is the only G5 team to beat Traylor twice as a head coach. Both victories were in San Antonio, however. The Roadrunners won the 2022 game at Army and Traylor hopes that trend continues. Playing Army late in the year after 11 other games isn’t an easy chore. The winner of this game could be in line to play the next week in the AAC championship game. 

UPSET ALERT – vs. Memphis on Nov. 2

The Tigers are the AAC favorites due to Seth Hennigan at quarterback and a talented, experienced roster around him. UTSA and Memphis played a classic a few years ago and the Alamodome might play host to a title game eliminator when these two clash in early November – or it is a preview of a rematch in the AAC title game a month later. UTSA is excellent at home in the Traylor era. 

FULL SCHEDULE 

Aug. 31                 Kennesaw State             
Sept. 7                  at Texas State 
Sept. 14               at Texas                
Sept. 21               Houston Christian       
Sept. 28               at East Carolina             
Oct. 12                 at Rice                   
Oct. 19                 Florida Atlantic               
Oct. 26                 at Tulsa                
Nov. 2                    Memphis            
Nov. 16                 North Texas      
Nov. 23                 Temple                 
Nov. 30                 at Army