Two Group of 6 programs take the national stage Thursday night as UTSA visits Florida Atlantic in an American Athletic Conference matchup. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN from Boca Raton, where clear skies and a low near 72°F are expected.
UTSA enters as a 7-point favorite with an over/under of 72.5, one of the highest totals nationally this season. Early betting action shows 69% of the against-the-spread handle on the Roadrunners, while 86% of the money wagered on the total has gone to the over.
College Football Playoff Picture
The first CFP rankings placed only one Group of 6 team in the top 25: Boise State at No. 25. UTSA (7-1, 4-0 AAC) was unranked, and the SportsLine Projection Model gives the Roadrunners just a 0.7% chance to reach the playoff — 40th nationally. Coach Jeff Traylor's team is +600 to make the field, though a playoff berth would likely draw power-conference interest in Traylor.
UTSA's lone loss came at then-No. 1 Texas, and the Roadrunners are bowl-eligible for a seventh straight season under Traylor. The offense averages 33.5 points per game, led by senior quarterback Owen McCown (1,751 yards, 10 TDs, 4 INTs) and running back Will Henderson III (664 yards, 5 TDs).
Florida Atlantic's High-Powered Offense
The Owls (4-0 at home) average 37.8 points per game. Quarterback Caden Veltkamp has completed 227 of 316 passes for 2,536 yards with 23 touchdowns against five interceptions. Wide receiver Easton Messer leads the nation with 74 catches for 898 yards and nine touchdowns, and he has also returned two punts for scores.
FAU's defense, however, allows 468.9 yards and 35.8 points per game. The Owls would become bowl-eligible with a win.
Series History and Outlook
Florida Atlantic leads the all-time series 3-2, including a 2-1 edge in Boca Raton, but UTSA has won the last two meetings, most recently in Florida in 2023. With UTSA showing some vulnerability on the road this season, the Owls have a plausible upset path, while the massive total suggests a high-scoring affair.
