FIU Panthers vs UTSA Roadrunners Prediction, 12/26/2025 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: FIU Panthers vs UTSA Roadrunners

Date: Friday, December 26, 2025

Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Roadrunners (-5.5)

Total/Over-Under: 59.5

Gerald J. Ford Stadium is the location where the UTSA Roadrunners (6-6) will go up against the FIU Panthers (7-5) on Friday, December 26, 2025 in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl. FIU opens as 5.5-point underdogs. The total is 59.5.

The FIU Panthers step onto the field holding a record of 7-5 this season. The last time they took the field, the Panthers took on the Sam Houston Bearkats and walked away with a win by a score of 56-16. When it came to stopping the run, the Panthers gave up 196 yards on 38 attempts, which is 5.2 yards per run surrendered. FIU gave up 16 pass completions on 33 attempts for 163 yds, and a completion rate of 48.5%. When the final whistle blew, they had 64 plays which totaled 594 yards. The FIU Panthers ran the football 40 different times and recorded 303 yds, which is an average of 7.6 yards per tote.

The Panthers have attained 4,906 total yards this year. When it comes to scoring, FIU has earned 18 touchdowns via the pass and 26 rushing touchdowns. They have turned the football over 19 times. FIU has 246 1st downs as an offense, and they have been flagged for 80 infractions for 684 yards. As a unit they average 190.2 yards via the ground game which has them sitting 27th in Division 1. Regarding scoring, the FIU Panthers are averaging 29.3 PPG.

The Panthers sit in 89th in the nation when it comes to team defense, giving up 27.8 PPG. They are giving up an average of 4.7 yards per rush and 159.6 rushing yards per game on the campaign. Over the course of this year, they have conceded 1,915 rushing yards through 12 outings. When it comes to passing yardage, the Panthers have given up 2,954 yards which has them sitting in 110th in Division 1. They have allowed 246.2 yards per contest through the air as well as conceding a completion percentage of 61.0%. Over the course of this season, they are surrendering 405.8 yards per outing which has them ranked 105th in Division 1. They have given up 23 touchdowns through the air as well as 16 touchdowns running the ball.

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The Roadrunners head into this game 6-6 this season. The last time they took the gridiron, the Roadrunners went home defeated by a final of 27-24 against the Army Black Knights. UTSA ran the ball for 4.8 yds per attempt, finishing with a total of 116 yds on 24 carries. The Roadrunners finished with 386 yds on 66 plays (5.8 yds per play). The Roadrunners pass defense gave up a completion rate of 45.5%, relinquishing 70 yards on 5 for 11 passing. UTSA surrendered 50 attempts on the ground for 233 yds (4.7 yds per carry).

The UTSA Roadrunners are averaging 413.6 yards per outing, which has them ranked 37th in the nation. The UTSA offense has totaled 760 yards of penalties on 84 infractions, which is good for 36th in Division 1 in terms of helping out the opposition. They maintain an average of 169.9 yards per game via the rush and have run for 2,039 yards for this year. They have given away 7 picks while letting opponents recover 5 fumbles and they have recorded 258 first downs. In relation to their scoring prowess, the Roadrunners rank 21st in D-1 with 33.8 PPG. Over the course of the season to this point, the Roadrunners have racked up 2,924 yards through the air not to mention an average of 243.7 passing yards per contest, ranking them 54th in the nation.

The Roadrunners are conceding 29.6 points per game, which puts them 100th in college football. UTSA has allowed a total of 1,866 rushing yards (155.5 yards per outing) as well as 16 touchdowns rushing this year. They have allowed the opposition 24 touchdowns via the pass in addition to 226.6 yards per game, ranking them 82nd in Division 1. The Roadrunners defense has been on the field for 774 plays, which has them ranked 30th in Division 1. Their defense has 7 fumbles and 10 interceptions over the course of the season. In total, they have conceded 355 pts.

Who will win tonight's Panthers/Roadrunners college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Panthers +5.5

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