Tulane (6–1) travels to San Antonio to take on UTSA (3–4) on Thursday, Oct. 30, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Green Wave are aiming to stay surging (3-0 in the AAC) while UTSA seeks a rebound at home after a lopsided loss.
Below, we’ll break down our Tulane vs. UTSA prediction and Thursday NCAAF pick, also highlighting the top PrizePicks player projection targets for this key Thursday night showdown.
Tulane vs. UTSA Prediction, Preview for Thursday, Oct. 30
Here’s a closer look at our Tulane vs. UTSA prediction and breakdown for Thursday night’s AAC showdown.
Tulane Preview vs. UTSA
Tulane enters the week coming off a gritty 24–17 win over Army, when QB Jake Retzlaff delivered 261 passing yards and led a six-play, 75-yard game-winning drive while adding 62 rushing yards and a TD.
The Green Wave offense posts 404.6 yards per game (45th in FBS), mixing 223.7 passing and 180.9 rushing, and relies heavily on efficiency and turnover margin (+0.7, 24th in FBS).
WR Shazz Preston has emerged as the primary vertical weapon — he had 86 yards and a TD last week and leads the team in receiving yards with 314.
Tulane has been middle-of-the-road defensively, allowing 384.7 total yards per game (71st) with balanced vulnerabilities against both the run and pass. They've tightened up over the last three games (345.0 yards per game).
UTSA Preview vs. Tulane
UTSA is trying to shake off a 55–17 blowout loss to North Texas, where QB Owen McCown managed just 84 yards and a TD. With that said, RB Robert Henry Jr. found a way to dominate the ground game with 138 rushing yards.
The roadrunners' offense (375.8 YPG) is balanced, averaging 192.8 passing yards (105th) and 183.0 rushing yards (34th) while scoring 29.3 PPG (48th).
UTSA’s defense is shaky, conceding 405.3 yards per game (105th) with the secondary giving up 234.2 passing yards (82nd).
Henry remains the engine (868 yards, 9 TDs), and UTSA may lean on him heavily in this matchup.
Offensive consistency is key. If McCown can stay upright and protected, UTSA could push tempo and stress Tulane’s defense.
Tulane vs. UTSA Best PrizePicks Targets
Below are three PrizePicks player projections to consider for Tulane vs. UTSA.
Tulane QB Jake Retzlaff Projection: 241.5 Passing Yards
- Retzlaff averages 204.0 passing yards per game this year.
- In the win over Army, he threw for 261 yards, converted key third downs and engineered the final drive.
- Retzlaff’s passer rating under pressure (68.5, per Pro Football Focus) ranks 33rd among FBS QBs, a testament to his clutch execution.
- UTSA is 125th in PFF defensive grade (69.4). The secondary has struggled against efficient QB play, which could give Retzlaff opportunities for intermediate and deep completions.
UTSA RB Robert Henry Jr. Projection: 105.5 Rushing Yards
- Henry averages an impressive 8.3 yards per carry on 104 tries this year, indicating his proclivity for explosive plays.
- Tulane allows 161.6 rushing yards/game (85th in FBS), which could enable Henry to impose his will on the ground.
- With UTSA needing to control tempo and protect its passing game, Henry’s workload may surge, especially if the game script becomes pressured.
- Henry is the third-leading rusher in FBS with 874 yards. It's clear that he'll give max effort and output, even in a down season for the team.
Tulane WR Shazz Preston Projection: 47.5 Receiving Yards
- Preston averages 15.7 yards per catch and takes advantage of deep looks when defenses focus on Retzlaff’s other targets.
- UTSA’s secondary has struggled against big-play passes, which could enhance Preston’s opportunities to snag chunk gains when he gets matched up one-on-one.
- Last week against Army, Preston logged 86 receiving yards and a TD, demonstrating his ability to deliver in high-leverage situations.
- Per PFF, Preston’s 78.3 grade for pass routes ranks 61st at his position in FBS, signifying efficiency that could be crucial against UTSA’s secondary issues.
Make Tulane vs. UTSA Picks on PrizePicks
Both teams enter this Thursday matchup with something to prove.
Tulane’s balanced game plan, combining an efficient passing attack with a productive rushing attack, gives them the ability to control the clock and sustain drives. UTSA, meanwhile, leans on Robert Henry Jr. to generate explosives on the ground and keep the offense on schedule.
With PrizePicks and the Playbook, you can cash in on Thursday night college football picks by targeting players like Retzlaff, Henry, and Preston.
Just pick your college football players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and win real money if you’re right.
