Kickoff: 7:00 PM CT
Venue: Robert and Janet Vackar Stadium, Edinburg, Texas (Capacity: ~10,000)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / Local Radio
Weather Forecast (Edinburg, TX)
Temperature: ~89°F (32°C) at kickoff, cooling into the upper 70s by the 4th quarter
Conditions: Mostly clear skies, humid, light winds (5–8 mph)
Impact: Heat and humidity could test Texas Wesleyan’s depth against a deeper UTRGV roster.
Injury Report
Texas Wesleyan (NAIA transitioning to non-conference FCS competition):
QB rotation – Healthy; offense averaging 20 PPG in NAIA play.
RB committee – Healthy; ground game inconsistent.
WR corps – Healthy; top target averaging 65 YPG.
Defense – Healthy, but has struggled historically against higher-division opponents.
UT Rio Grande Valley (3–0, FCS Independent in 2025):
QB starter – Healthy; efficient with 6 TDs, 1 INT through three games.
RB committee – Healthy; averaging 180 rushing YPG.
WR deep threat – Healthy; 3 TDs in last two games.
Defense – Healthy; unit allowing just 17.3 PPG.
Key Player Matchups
Texas Wesleyan QB vs. UTRGV Secondary
Rams’ QB must avoid turnovers against a defense that thrives on takeaways.
UTRGV RB Committee vs. Texas Wesleyan Front Seven
Vaqueros’ ground game has been dominant; Rams must stack the box.
WR1 (UTRGV) vs. Texas Wesleyan Corners
Explosive plays could tilt momentum early.
Special Teams
Texas Wesleyan must win field position to stay competitive.
Recent Team Form
Texas Wesleyan Rams (NAIA)
Last 5 (dating back to 2021): 0–5 vs. higher-division opponents, outscored 278–46.
Trend: Competitive in NAIA, but historically overmatched vs. NCAA programs.
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros (3–0, FCS)
9/13: W 31–14 vs. Texas A&M–Commerce
9/6: W 28–17 @ Lamar
8/30: W 35–10 vs. Sul Ross State
Trend: Offense averaging 31.3 PPG; defense stout, allowing just 17.3 PPG.
Series History
First-ever meeting between Texas Wesleyan and UTRGV.
Betting Trends
Texas Wesleyan:
0–5 SU in last 5 vs. NCAA opponents.
1–4 ATS in last 5 lined games.
Overs hit in 4 of last 5.
UTRGV:
4–1 SU in last 5 games.
3–2 ATS in last 5.
Unders hit in 3 of last 5.
Historical Betting Results
Texas Wesleyan: Rarely covers against higher-division teams; overs common due to defensive struggles.
UTRGV: Strong ATS at home; unders more frequent when defense controls tempo.
FCS vs. NAIA Trends: FCS teams cover ~70% of the time in September cross-division games.
Game Odds
Texas Wesleyan Rams 56.5
UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros – 28.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025
