Best Case/Worst Case in 2016: UTSA Roadrunners

[caption id="attachment_19363" align="alignright" width="350"]Photo by Mary Scott McNabb Photo by Mary Scott McNabb[/caption] Will this season be a dream or a nightmare for your favorite FBS program in the state of Texas? In this series, we take a look at the best and worst case scenarios for all 12 teams. UTSA 2015 Record: 3-8Best Case A new coach brings in a new era and lifts UTSA back towards conference contention, like the Roadrunners seemed destined for just three seasons ago when head coach Larry Coker and quarterback Eric Soza helped the program when seven games in its first season in Conference USA. UTSA gets out to a strong start in out-of-conference play for the first time in program history, knocking off Alabama State and Colorado State, but losing to Arizona State, before the conference play begins. A win at Old Dominion on Sept. 24 sets up a home game against Southern Miss. A win against Southern Miss propels UTSA through conference play with the only loss coming to Texas A&M late in the season. Wins over in-state Conference USA rivals North Texas, UTEP and Rice give the Roadrunners bragging rights in the state and on the recruiting trail as first-year head coach Frank Wilson leads UTSA to its first bowl game in school history after a shot at the CUSA championship against Western Kentucky. Worst Case The stagnant passing offense UTSA had over the past two seasons remains, and too much pressure is placed on the defense and running game. Defenses are allowed to stack the box and running back Jarveon Williams becomes a non-factor. The quarterback situation isn’t figured out and the Roadrunners become a one-dimensional team hoping to win two or three games on the season. UTSA falls at home to Alabama State and the wheels fall off again in the out-of-conference schedule, leaving them with meager hope to reach six wins and qualify for a bowl game. North Texas and Rice show improvement and leap back over UTSA in the pecking order, while UTEP rebounds with the return of Aaron Jones. A bad season derails the momentum UTSA is building on the recruiting trail and the Roadrunners’ newfound optimism comes crashing down.

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