College Football Preview 2024: UTSA Roadrunners win projections, strengths and weaknesses, quarterback spotlight and more

Head coach: Jeff Traylor (fifth season)
2023 record: 9-4 (won Frisco Bowl)
PFF power ranking: 49th
Chance to win the AAC: 10%
Strength of schedule: 118th
Projected win total: 7.1
FanDuel win total: 8.5
2024 recruiting rank (On3): No. 109 nationally, No. 11 in AAC

Despite moving from Conference USA to a more difficult American Athletic Conference, Jeff Traylor still led UTSA to a very successful 2023 season. It was the Roadrunners’ third straight year with at least nine victories, their only three nine-win seasons in program history. UTSA heads into AAC Year 2 as one of the conference’s top contenders, thanks to the return of some talented running backs and wide receivers.

The Roadrunners must replace star quarterback Frank Harris, and backup Owen McCown didn’t exactly impress during his redshirt freshman season. UTSA lost some key pieces defensively, as well, and must find some answers in the secondary after posting a 109th-ranked coverage grade in 2023.

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Biggest Strength: Offensive skill-position players

UTSA brought back its three leading rushers from last season: Kevorian Barnes, Robert Henry and Rocko Griffin. All three earned 70.0-plus PFF overall grades in 2023. The Roadrunners lost their top two receivers but will get De’Corian Clark back from injury.

Biggest Weakness: But what do they have at quarterback?

UTSA must replace Frank Harris, the program’s all-time leading passer, after he exhausted his collegiate eligibility. Redshirt sophomore Owen McCown will take over and was very shaky in limited action last season. His 8.3% turnover-worthy play rate was the second-worst mark in the FBS among quarterbacks with at least 70 dropbacks.

Three Notable Transfer Portal Additions

C CJ James (New Mexico): 68.7 PFF grade
CB Denver Harris (LSU): 60.1 PFF grade
S Jermarius Lewis (New Mexico): 66.2 PFF grade

Three Notable Transfer Portal Losses

CB Kam Alexander (Oregon): 80.7 PFF grade
EDGE Trey Moore (Texas): 78.0 PFF grade
LB Avery Morris (New Mexico State): 59.2 PFF grade

2023 Team Overview

Offense
EPA per play	Yards per play	Successful play rate	Explosive run play rate	Explosive pass play rate
0.050	5.7	36.4%	17.0%	12.4%
48th	T-69th	52nd	44th	102nd
Defense
EPA allowed per play	Yards allowed per play	Successful play rate allowed	Explosive run rate allowed	Explosive pass rate allowed
-0.059	5.2	31.6%	12.6%	11.9%
41st	36th	30th	22nd	17th

Quarterback Spotlight: Owen McCown

2023 Grade: 51.3
Key Stat: 11 turnover-worthy plays in four career starts