When Jeff Traylor returned home after last weekend’s opener, he put the replay of Texas State’s matchup against Texas on television and started breaking down UTSA’s 45-16 win over UTRGV on his tablet.
By the time he was done, the alternate angles of Texas State’s 59-7 loss at Texas were ready for review. Traylor flipped screens, playing the broadcast copy of the Roadrunners on TV while conducting his deep dive on the Bobcats.
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Getting the earliest start possible on preparing for perhaps the most important edition of the I-35 rivalry, Traylor said he studied until about 3 am and was back awake at 7 am to keep the process rolling.
“I don’t know how many hours I’ve spent on that,” Traylor said, “but way more hours watching them than sleeping, for sure.”
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Traylor came away from his review with nothing but over-the-top praise for the Bobcats. Texas State’s offense “might be historically good,” the defense is “extremely, extremely talented,” and the atmosphere in San Marcos will be like “playing a Power Four opponent.”
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“This is the best team we’ve played against them,” Traylor said. “They’ve had good teams, but this is the best one.”
Traylor was especially complimentary of Texas State quarterback Brad Jackson, calling him “unbelievable” and “as good a quarterback as there is” because of his ability to break containment and stress defenses with his legs.
Having deleted social media apps from his phone, Jackson said he heard about the kudos secondhand.
“That’s cool. That doesn’t really change my approach,” Jackson said. “Praise or hate, I’m going to go out there and prepare the best I can and continue to be the best leader I can for this team.”
UTSA at Texas State
When:
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2:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: UFCU Stadium, San Marcos
TV: The CW
Stream: ESPN+
UTSA Radio: 760 A.M.
Texas State Radio:
89.9 FM
All-time series: UTSA leads 5-2
Last meeting: Texas State 43, UTSA 36 on Sept. 6, 2025, in San Antonio
UTSA Roadrunners offensive lineman Joseph Ugwu Jr. (59) cheers while running off the field before a game against the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. (Andrew J. Whitaker/San Antonio Express-News)
UTSA at Texas State betting info
Spread:
Texas State –1.5
Over/under: 66.5
What to know about Texas State
Last game:
Lost 59-7 at Texas
Players to watch:
Jackson, a sophomore and Reagan grad, returns for a second season as the Bobcats’ starter after posting plenty of Gaudy stats last year: 3,224 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, a 71.3% completion rate, 744 rushing yards and 17 scores on the ground. He also already boasts an established rapport with a pair of big-play threats, as Texas State returns top targets Beau Sparks (84 catches, 1,200 yards, 10 touchdowns in 2025) and Chris Dawn Jr. (65 catches, 1,007 yards, four touchdowns).
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MORE ROADRUNNERS:
Five players to watch as UTSA enters pivotal matchup vs. Texas State
When UTSA has the ball
The coaching chess match between first-year coordinators will take center stage, as UTSA’s Rick Bowie and Texas State’s Will Windham show whether they have any new wrinkles to catch the other side off guard. The Roadrunners are preparing to contend with multiple alignments from the Bobcats’ defensive front.
“They have a lot of defense in, and that’s really hard for us to pick up,” UTSA offensive lineman Ben Rios said. “They’re good players and they play hard. It’s going to be a challenge.”
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When Texas State has the ball
After struggling with tackling and containment even in a matchup against FCS opponent UTRGV last week, UTSA will need to be sharper and more disciplined to keep Jackson at bay. Traylor highlighted Texas State’s “massive” offensive line, a group of backs who “run hard as heck,” and a pair of elite receivers in Dawn and Sparks. The kicking game looks like the Bobcats’ biggest barrier to putting up points, as Dylan Cunanan missed from 24 and 35 yards during last week’s opener.
“There’s really nowhere to exploit,” UTSA defensive lineman Tai Leonard said. “It’s just a really good team all around.”
Key matchup
Athletes vs. Elements
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Temperatures in San Marcos are expected to touch 100 degrees not long after the 2:30 pm kickoff, and Traylor said the heat has played a role in this week’s game-planning. The conditions should favor the Bobcats, who have the luxury of the shady sideline while the Roadrunners bake in the sun. With two offenses that aim to play at a fast tempo, the physical toll could add up quickly on both sides.
“We’re used to San Antonio,” UTSA defensive tackle Jameian Buxton said. “If you ain’t used to the heat by now, then I really don’t know what to tell you at this point.”
Prediction
UTSA 42, Texas State 35
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The Bobcats may have slight personal or schematic advantages over the Roadrunners, but UTSA needs this game more, desperate for a breakthrough road win to start the season on a high note and end a streak of two straight losses to Texas State.
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This article originally published at UTSA vs. Texas State: Preview, scouting report, betting info and prediction.
