2025 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Prediction: FIU vs UTSA

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The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl has morphed a bit over the years.

When it first started as the TicketCity Bowl back in 2011, it was Texas Tech vs Northwestern. Top 25 Penn State and Houston teams played in 2012, and then the bowl affiliations changed a bit.

But even though that has become a Texas-tinged Group of Five battle lately, it’s been entertaining, with four of the last six decided by one score.

For a program like FIU, this might as well be the Rose Bowl. It’s the school’s first bowl appearance since 2019, and in the first season under Willie Simmons, it’s the first winning season since 2018 and just the fifth in 22 years of FBS football.

UTSA is in its sixth straight bowl under head coach Jeff Traylor, and it’s trying for its sixth straight winning season. It’s been a year of transition, but win this, and everything keeps moving forward.

FIU vs UTSA: 2025 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl Preview and Pick

Oct 4, 2025; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; FIU Panthers quarterback Keyone Jenkins (1) throws a pass against the UConn Huskies in the first quarter at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field.© David Butler II-Imagn Images

How To Watch FIU vs UTSA

Date: Friday, December 26
Game Time: 8:00 pm ET
TV: ESPN
Location: Gerald R Ford Stadium, University Park, TX
@PeteFiutak
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Why UTSA Will Win

Sep 14, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas-San Antonio quarterback Owen McCown (2) throws a pass during the first half against Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. © Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

UTSA can put up the numbers.

It’s not always consistent, but the Roadrunners have a good balance. They’re great when they crank up the big plays down the field, and it’s a simple formula – they win when they bust out the big yards.

Even acknowledged by Traylor, UTSA took things to a whole other level when it played at home. It College Football Playoff-bound Tulane for 532 yards and 48 points, and ripped up East Carolina for 58 points. Get to 400 yards, and the team usually wins.

FIU hasn’t had too many problems in firefights, but it lost to UConn and Kennesaw State when the defense totally collapsed, and overall, it gives up 405 yards per game.

The Panthers have a big problem against the run, and a bigger problem when they don’t force a ton of turnovers.

FIU is 6-0 this season when coming up with two or more takeaways, and 0-5 against FBS teams when it doesn’t. UTSA had six games this year without a turnover, but …

Why FIU Will Win

Oct 4, 2025; East Hartford, Connecticut, USA; FIU Panthers head coach Willie Simmons watches from the sideline as they take on the UConn Huskies at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field© David Butler II-Imagn Images

The Roadrunners have given the ball away multiple times in five of the last nine games.

Simmons and his staff have worked a little magic with this FIU team.

There’s a decent pass rush, but not enough to worry about too much. The offense has a painfully hard time keeping the chains moving at times, but it still controls the clock.

Even with quarterback Keyone Jenkins out for a stretch, the offense started to pick it up over the final month of the season. Much like UTSA, that 400-yard mark of total offense is the measuring stick.

When the Panthers were able to make the O go – especially when the ground game was cranking up 200 yards or more – they won. The defense did the job against the mediocre teams, but this bunch doesn’t have a problem getting into high-flying shootouts.

FIU vs UTSA Prediction, Betting Lines

Really, this should be a blast. Both teams will force the other to crank up the offense – each one will have to keep responding.

FIU was able to beat a Jacksonville State team that got to the Conference USA Championship and went on to win a bowl game. UTSA, again, torched Tulane, and it got its licks in against Texas A&M.

This should have a little of everything with lots of points, lots of big plays, lots of mistakes, and a few big mood swings as FIU’s running game will take over for parts of the game, only to see UTSA’s passing game take the momentum right back.

Enjoy the show.

UTSA 34, FIU 26
Line: UTSA -9.5, o/u: 59.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5
Must See Rating: 3.5
– CFP Expert Picks For First Responder Bowl

Consensus Line from BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

This story was originally published by College Football News on Dec 17, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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