Utsa Roadrunners vs Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Picks and Predictions December 23rd 2024

Coastal Carolina Preps Unproven QB for Myrtle Beach Bowl Against UTSA

Coastal Carolina is preparing for a rare “home-field” advantage in the Myrtle Beach Bowl on Monday, hosting UTSA on their campus in Conway, S.C. However, the Chanticleers will enter the matchup with significant questions under center as they adjust to life without their top two quarterbacks.

Quarterback Carousel

Both Ethan Vasko and Noah Kim have entered the transfer portal, leaving Coastal Carolina coach Tim Beck to turn to redshirt freshman Tad Hudson, who has yet to play a snap this season. Beck joked about the situation, saying, “After this meeting, I’m taking all of you outside for tryouts.”

While the team scrambles to ready Hudson, the Chanticleers will likely lean heavily on their running game, which ranks 46th nationally with 178.7 yards per game. Braydon Bennett has led the rushing attack with 727 yards and 11 touchdowns, complemented by Christian Washington’s 537 yards and five scores.

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Beck acknowledged the unique challenges of preparing for a bowl game amid the modern transfer portal landscape.

“There was a lot of excitement at practice because there are a lot of guys that haven’t played a lot that know they are going to,” he said.

UTSA: Stability and Momentum

UTSA, meanwhile, has fewer disruptions heading into the bowl game. The Roadrunners, under head coach Jeff Traylor, rallied from a 3-5 start to win their final three home conference games in November and secure bowl eligibility.

“Our guys want to collect bowl wins, so I’m very excited to be coaching these guys,” Traylor said, highlighting the team’s focus on achieving success rather than seeking individual accolades.

Quarterback Owen McCown has been a steady presence for UTSA, throwing for 3,170 yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while completing 62 percent of his passes. The offense has spread the wealth, with 11 different players catching touchdown passes this season.

Key Defensive Players

UTSA’s defense will be anchored by standout defensive tackle Brandon Brown, who declared for the NFL draft but has chosen to play in the bowl game. “I always wanted to play for my brothers. That’s who I came in with, and that’s who I want to finish with,” said Brown, who recorded 24 tackles and two sacks this season.

The Roadrunners’ pass rush is spearheaded by Jimmori Robinson, who leads the team with 10.5 sacks.

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Bowl History

Both Coastal Carolina and UTSA are relatively new to the FBS level, each making their fifth consecutive bowl appearance. Coastal Carolina is 2-2 in bowl games, while UTSA broke a three-game bowl losing streak with last year’s Frisco Bowl victory.

This matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the programs.

What to Watch

1. Tad Hudson’s Debut
   With no game experience, the redshirt freshman quarterback will be under the spotlight. Coastal Carolina’s success may hinge on its ability to establish the run and limit Hudson’s responsibilities.
2. UTSA’s Balanced Attack
   The Roadrunners’ ability to spread the ball among a variety of playmakers could pose challenges for Coastal Carolina’s defense.
3. Defensive Playmakers
   UTSA’s pass rush, led by Brandon Brown and Jimmori Robinson, could disrupt Coastal Carolina’s untested quarterback and offensive game plan.

Outlook

Coastal Carolina’s home-field advantage could provide a boost, but the uncertainty at quarterback presents a significant challenge. UTSA’s stability on both sides of the ball and their recent momentum make the Roadrunners a tough opponent. The Myrtle Beach Bowl promises an intriguing clash between two programs eager to end their seasons on a high note.