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Settle the Argument.

You've already had it. Now go settle it.

Every card here starts with something fans actually say — then runs it against the same canonical Verdict projection that ranks the board. Matchup Central predicts the game. This settles the argument.

The argument everybody has

“Put them through our schedule and see what happens.”

TRADE SCHEDULES

Swap two schedules, same venues, and run both seasons out. Who was carrying a schedule, and who was being carried by one.

Team
Trade with
UTSA
UTSA

Forgiving schedule of their own · Texas State's is forgiving

Was
6-5
On Texas State's schedule
5-6
-0.8 wins
Expected wins now
4.8
Was
5.6
Where it lands
6+32%
TXST
Texas State

Forgiving schedule of their own · UTSA's is forgiving

Was
5-6
On UTSA's schedule
6-5
+0.8 wins
Expected wins now
6.0
Was
5.2
Where it lands
6+63%
Who benefits
Texas State
+0.8 expected wins

Texas State picks up about a win on UTSA's slate.

Who gets hurt
UTSA
−0.8 expected wins

UTSA gives back about a win on Texas State's slate.

The game that changes everything

Vs Utah State

Week 8 · Texas State's schedule
TXST
Texas State
59%
to win · favored by 4
UTSA
UTSA
54%
to win · favored by 2
5-point probability gap

Texas State is 5 points likelier to win that game than UTSA. Small on paper. It shows up in the record.

UTSA · toughest games they inherit
At
SDSU
San Diego State
28%
At
BSU
Boise State
30%
Vs
WSU
Washington State
32%
6 games on Texas State's slate they would not have played.
Texas State · toughest games they inherit
At
TULN
Tulane
27%
Vs
USF
USF
29%
At
FAU
FAU
52%
6 games on UTSA's slate they would not have played.
The record test
UTSA: Record and reality line up · No. 87 strength / No. 83 projected wins
Texas State: Record and reality line up · No. 79 strength / No. 90 projected wins
The verdict
Turns out the schedule mattered.

Texas State picks up 0.8 wins on UTSA's schedule while UTSA gives back 0.8. That is the schedule talking, not the roster.

Each team is run through the other's exact schedule, same venues. Head-to-head games between the two are set aside so both slates are the same size. 11 of 12 games modeled. UTSA and Texas State play each other, so that game is set aside — neither team can inherit itself.

More arguments to settle

2026 Preseason Model · Partial roster evidence · data as of 2026-07-11. QB continuity and verified personnel changes are included. Returning-production and updated coaching data are still pending. Projections are model estimates for analysis, not guarantees.

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