How and what to watch for UTSA vs. Southern Miss

The UTSA Roadrunners will try to keep pace with the top of the Conference USA’s West division Saturday as it takes on the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.

While UTSA has gotten off to a 5-4 start, the season has included several bumps in the road besides those related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix went on administrative leave earlier last week for undisclosed reasons related to an internal investigation of the program. Nix did not coach during last Saturday’s 52-21 victory over UTEP and it remains unclear when he might return. With Nix sidelined indefinitely, assistant Jess Loepp will handle the defensive calls.

Southern Miss has endured its own changes on the coaching staff. Head coach Jay Hopson resigned from his post following a 32-21 loss to Southern Alabama in the season opener and his original interim replacement, Scotty Walden, left soon after to accept the head-coaching position at Austin Peay. As a result, the Golden Eagles have moved on to a second interim replacement, defensive coordinator Tim Billings.

Regardless of the respective coaching fluctuations, the Roadrunners feature a capable defense. The unit ranks 56th in overall success rate nationally and 42nd in success rate against the run. That sets up a strength-on-strength matchup with Southern Miss’ rushing attack which ranks 64th in success rate.

Game Time/TV Channel/Streaming

You can watch UTSA vs. Southern Miss on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 3:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+, or you can stream it via the ESPN app with a cable or streaming service login.

Point Spread, Totals, Odds, Trends

Point spread: UTSA (-9.5) vs. Southern Miss
Point Total: 52
Money line: UTSA -305, Southern Miss +240

• When it comes to the spread, UTSA resembles a coin flip over recent seasons. Since 2015, the program owns a record of 17-16-1 against the spread on the road and a 4-4-1 record as a road favorite.
• The Roadrunners have done less favorably when it comes to hitting the over. During the same stretch, they have an over record of 15-18-1 on the road and 2-7-0 as the road favorite.
• Meanwhile, Southern Miss has done a better job overall against the spread. Since 2015, the program has a 16-17-0 record against the spread at home but has gone 4-2 as the home underdog.
• The Golden Eagles haven’t found as much success hitting the over. During the same period, they have an over record of 13-20-1 at home and 2-4-0 as the home underdog.

Betting splits

UTSA: (50% of handle, 62% of bets)
Southern Miss: (50% of handle, 38% of bets)

The Best Bet

UTSA has a checkered history covering the spread as the favorite, and Southern Miss has another week under its new interim head coach. That provides some value given the size of the spread.

Pick: Southern Miss +9.5

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