UTSA is playing for pride and respect at this point. There is no chance of going to a bowl, etc. Bad seasons happen and the Roadrunners are suffering from their second in a row. If a win is coming the rest of the way out, UTSA needs it against Charlotte. Neither team is good and that gives UTSA a chance.
To win UTSA must:
Throw on first down
UTSA did a good job of this last week against Old Dominion and the offense opened up because of it. Throwing on first downs gives Sturm a chance to see base defenses. Teams tend to blitz less on first down and that is good news for the Roadrunners passing game. Throwing on first down also keeps UTSA unpredictable and will open up the rushing game if Charlotte can't commit eight guys to the box on first and second down. Staying out of obvious passing and rushing downs is a key for UTSA. The whole playbook needs to be available for Brown on the third down for UTSA to win this game.
Get off the field
This one seems easy, but it is true. UTSA is struggling to get off the field on third down and it is killing an otherwise solid defense. Part of the struggles on third down stem from a lack of four-man pass rush. UTSA isn't getting to the quarterback without the aid of the blitz and that hurts on third down when Neal Neathery wants to sit in a zone and keep the play in front of his secondary. That works if the quarterback is forced to get the ball out too quick to develop long routes, but not if the quarterback can sit in the pocket or escape outside to buy his receivers more time. Getting off the field will be a function of creating pressure.
Don't lose special teams
UTSA doesn't even need to win the special teams battle as much as it simply can't lose it. The onside kick recovered by Old Dominion last week proved large in the loss. For UTSA to win any remaining games, the special teams unit can't be a walking mistake. The coverage teams need to be solid. The kicking team needs to execute when it has legit chances and it wouldn't hurt if someone blocked on a return or two.
To win UTSA must:
Throw on first down
UTSA did a good job of this last week against Old Dominion and the offense opened up because of it. Throwing on first downs gives Sturm a chance to see base defenses. Teams tend to blitz less on first down and that is good news for the Roadrunners passing game. Throwing on first down also keeps UTSA unpredictable and will open up the rushing game if Charlotte can't commit eight guys to the box on first and second down. Staying out of obvious passing and rushing downs is a key for UTSA. The whole playbook needs to be available for Brown on the third down for UTSA to win this game.
Get off the field
This one seems easy, but it is true. UTSA is struggling to get off the field on third down and it is killing an otherwise solid defense. Part of the struggles on third down stem from a lack of four-man pass rush. UTSA isn't getting to the quarterback without the aid of the blitz and that hurts on third down when Neal Neathery wants to sit in a zone and keep the play in front of his secondary. That works if the quarterback is forced to get the ball out too quick to develop long routes, but not if the quarterback can sit in the pocket or escape outside to buy his receivers more time. Getting off the field will be a function of creating pressure.
Don't lose special teams
UTSA doesn't even need to win the special teams battle as much as it simply can't lose it. The onside kick recovered by Old Dominion last week proved large in the loss. For UTSA to win any remaining games, the special teams unit can't be a walking mistake. The coverage teams need to be solid. The kicking team needs to execute when it has legit chances and it wouldn't hurt if someone blocked on a return or two.
