FIU vs. UTSA Predictions & Odds | 2025 First Responder Bowl Best Bet & TD Pick
Despite both teams being hit hard by major roster movement, my FIU vs. UTSA predictions are taking the Roadrunners to run away with the First Responder Bowl.
UTSA is a 5.5-point betting favorite for tonight's 8 p.m. ET (ESPN) First Responder Bowl from Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, in the fifth bowl game featured in our college football predictions this week.
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🏈 FIU vs. UTSA predictions: 2025 First Responder Bowl
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| Best bets | Odds | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| UTSA -5.5 | -115 via FanDuel | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Devin McCuin 2+ TDs | +600 via bet365 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
💰 FIU vs. UTSA best bet
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UTSA -5.5 (-115) ⭐⭐⭐
Both programs are expected to be down at least a quarter of their starters. However, UTSA is in better shape to take advantage of FIU's roster woes, with the Panthers down three starters in the secondary against Owen McCown.
Josh McCown's son has been living up to the family name this season, and has UTSA ranked top 50 in the country by offensive SP+ and top 25 in PPG (33.8). And assuming he plays, McCown also has one of the best G6 running backs in the country in Robert Henry.
Meanwhile, FIU's top two QBs are both banged-up.
Score prediction: UTSA 38, FIU 30
🙌 Best FIU vs. UTSA touchdown pick: First Responder Bowl
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Devin McCuin, WR, UTSA: 2+ TDs (+600) ⭐⭐⭐
At full strength, FIU's defense is one of the worst taking the field in bowl season. The Panthers are ranked No. 113 by defensive SP+ and sit outside the top 85 in points allowed per game (27.8). But Willie Simmons' squad isn't at full strength for this game.
A bad defense will be without its best player, cornerback Mister Clark, and its leader in interceptions, safety Jessiah McGrew. Those two have played more defensive snaps than anyone for FIU this season, and the program is also down another starting corner in Victor Evans III.
That should have Jeff Traylor's mouth watering at the thought of the production his Roadrunners will have through the air with McCown and his top receiver, Devin McCuin. The junior has been McCown's go-to target all season, averaging eight targets per game and scoring seven times.
While there's no harm in taking McCuin to score just once (-105 via bet365) against a depleted secondary, I'm going all in on him scoring multiple TDs. He's accomplished the feat twice already this season, including against a Tulane team that reached the College Football Playoff.
📝 Top NFL draft prospects for First Responder Bowl
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| Player | Position | Key stats | NFL draft grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kejon Owens, FIU | RB | 1,298 rushing yards, 11 TDs | Round 6-UDFA |
| Robert Henry Jr. UTSA | RB | 1,045 rushing yards, 9 TDs | Round 6-UDFA |
| Brian Blades, FIU | CB | Allowing 87.2 NFL QB rating in coverage | Round 7-UDFA |
| Shad Banks Jr., UTSA | LB | 86 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 3 INTs | UDFA |
📊 Live FIU vs. UTSA odds: First Responder Bowl
FIU vs. UTSA opening odds
- Moneyline: FIU +255 | UTSA -315
- Spread: FIU +8.5 (-110) | UTSA -8.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 59.5 (-110) | Under 59.5 (-110)
📈 FIU vs. UTSA betting trends
| FIU | Statistic | UTSA |
|---|---|---|
| 7-5 | W-L record | 6-6 |
| 8-4 | ATS record | 6-6 |
| 6-6 | O/U record | 9-3 |
| 5.9 | Yards per play | 6.0 |
| 5.8 | Yards allowed per play | 5.9 |
| +0.2 | Turnover margin | +0.3 |
| 4-1 | Last 5 games | 3-2 |
| W, 56-16 vs. Sam Houston | Previous result | L, 27-24 vs. Army |
📺 How to watch FIU vs. UTSA: First Responder Bowl
- Date: Friday, Dec. 26
- Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium (Dallas)
- TV: ESPN
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