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The defending Conference USA champion UTSA Roadrunners have been picked to finish first in the conference this season, the league office announced Monday.
The Roadrunners received 14 of a possible 22 first-place votes from a panel of media members that covers all 11 C-USA schools.
UAB received the remaining eight first-place votes and is slotted second in the preseason poll, followed by Western Kentucky, which UTSA beat 49-41 to claim the 2021 conference crown.
Florida Atlantic is picked fourth ahead of North Texas, UTEP, Charlotte, Middle Tennessee and Louisiana Tech. Rice and FIU round out predicted order of finish.
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. UTSA (14)
2. UAB (8)
3. WKU
4. Florida Atlantic
5. North Texas
6. UTEP
7. Charlotte
8. Middle Tennessee
9. Louisiana Tech
10. Rice
11. FIU
Under the direction of 2021 C-USA Coach of the Year Jeff Traylor, UTSA registered a 12-2 record for the most wins and best winning percentage (.857) in school history. The Roadrunners also earned their first top-25 ranking, soaring to as high as 15th nationally, and played in their second straight and third overall bowl game. UTSA reeled off a program-record 11 consecutive wins to start the 2021 campaign and were a perfect 7-0 at the Alamodome to extend their school-record home winning streak to 10.
UTSA will open its 12th season of play on Saturday, Sept. 3, against Houston. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. at the Alamodome