UTSA's 2016 Schedule is Much More Balanced Than Years Past

Conference USA released their 2016 schedule today, giving fans plenty of time to make travel arrangements for the fall. Roadrunner fans were mostly pleased by how their schedule aligned as the program finally has a reasonable path to a bowl bid this year.

When UTSA started their football program athletic director Lynn Hickey was forced to sign "body bag" scheduling agreements with many Power 5 programs in order to fund the start up, leaving the Roadrunners with terribly difficult out-of-conference schedules that put the team in a deep hole to start their seasons.

The Roadrunners still have two really tough games on their schedule (Arizona State and Texas A&M) but six wins is very reasonable and attainable in 2016.

9/3/2016: vs. Alabama State

9/10/2016: @ Colorado State

9/17/2016: vs. Arizona State

9/24/2016: @ Old Dominion

10/1/2016: Bye

10/8/2016: vs. Southern Miss

10/15/2016: @ Rice

10/22/2016: vs. UTEP

10/29/2016: vs. UNT

11/5/2016: @ Middle Tennessee

11/12/2016: @ Louisiana Tech

11/19/2016: @ Texas A&M

11/26/2016: vs. Charlotte

The early part of the schedule opens up pretty well for UTSA as they should be able to enter their bye week at 2-2 or 3-1. The bye week falls at a really opportune time as it allows the team to rest up and double down on preparations for Southern Miss, the likely favorite in CUSA West.

UTSA's chances at a bowl game will likely be determined in the three week span in October where UTSA will play the Texas Trio back-to-back-to-back. A three game sweep is attainable and would put UTSA in a great position to reach its first ever bowl game.

Following the Texas Trio span, UTSA's enters the toughest stretch of its schedule. Middle Tennessee should have a top three offense in CUSA this season and the Roadrunners will face them in Murfreesburo. UTSA will then travel to Ruston for what is always a physical battle with Lousiana Tech. After those two tough opponents, the Roadrunners will then face Texas A&M in College Station. While the Aggies are trending downwards from their excellent 2012 season, they will still be overwhelming favorites at home.

The Roadrunners will then return to the confines of the Alamodome to face Charlotte on senior day. Overall, I think the schedule is quite manageable with some key match ups falling at home. We'll see if any of these games get moved to Thursday or Friday for TV purposes. How are you feeling about the schedule, UTSA fans? Do you see six wins on it?