Best Case/Worst Case in 2017: UTSA Roadrunners

All of our Best Case/Worst Case scenarios:Texas / Texas A&M / Texas Tech / TCU / Baylor / Houston / UTSA / SMU / UTEP / Rice / North Texas / Texas State 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 2016 record: 6-7Best Case The Roadrunners have built a ton of momentum heading into year two of the Frank Wilson regime, and enter the season with high expectations. UTSA made its first bowl appearance since the program began as an FCS start-up back in 2011 and is poised to build on that performance after some exciting success on the recruiting trail. If things come together the way Wilson and company hope, the Roadrunners will kick off the season with a big win over either Houston or Baylor. Managing a split in in those games to start the season shows UTSA has the capability to put up a big season earlier than expected under Wilson. Dalton Sturm puts his consistency struggles behind him and the UTSA offense takes another step forward, cruising through the Conference USA schedule. With Josiah Tauaefa solidifying himself as one of the top linebackers in the country, the Roadrunners get their second straight victory over in-state rival North Texas and put themselves in position for a late season showdown against Louisiana Tech with a berth in the C-USA Championship game on the line. A lot would have to fall into place, but it isn’t out of the question to picture the Roadrunners giving the Bulldogs a run for the top spot in the West Division and advancing to the C-USA title game just two years into the Wilson era. Worst Case With all of the momentum UTSA has built heading into the season, it’s hard to imagine the program not taking at least another small step forward this year. That’s all but a foregone conclusion if the roster isn’t hit hard by injuries and the team continues its natural progression from last season. But if Sturm is unable to improve in the passing game and command the offense more consistently, the Roadrunners struggle early in the season. Blowout losses to Baylor and Houston to start the year put a downer on the hope for an early upset, and UTSA is unable to build any momentum going into C-USA action. The Roadrunners struggles continue into conference play as the team is knocked off by Southern Miss before falling in the rivalry matchup against North Texas. Another upset loss against an in-state school in Rice or UTEP would be a tough blow to a team that enters the year with high expectations. While the year would still be a disappointment in this scenario, it’s hard to picture anything less than another 6-6 finish for UTSA resulting in back-to-back bowl finishes. But failing to show some improvement from last season wouldn’t make things any easier on the recruiting trail for Wilson and the rest of the coaching staff.