Draft:North Texas–UTSA football rivalry

The North Texas–UTSA football rivalry is an American college football rivalry between the University of North Texas Mean Green and University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners. The rivalry dates to the first game between the teams in 2013 when UTSA and North Texas both joined the Conference USA. The match up has continued as both schools began to play in the American Athletic Conference in 2023.

History
The two teams joined the Conference USA in 2013 and were both placed in the West Division, guaranteeing a yearly match up. Before this time, the two schools had never played each other, on account of the UTSA football program only being founded in 2011. Due to the schools' close proximity, lack of other rivals, and frequency of close and consequential games, the annual contest developed into a rivalry.

Notable games include the 2017 match up, when North Texas quarterback Mason Fine led a game winning touchdown drive that started on the 2 yard line with 1:07 left in the game.

The most consequential contest occurred in 2021. Ranked No. 22, UTSA was 11–0 and one game away from a perfect regular season. Meanwhile, North Texas was middling at 5–6, and was the heavy underdog. But, on a rainy day at Apogee Stadium, the Mean Green blew out the Roadrunners to the tune of 45–23 by capitalizing on the running game and UTSA turnovers. The win was only the second win over a ranked opponent in Mean Green history, and the loss for UTSA pushed them out of the AP poll.

The very next year, UTSA got their revenge in a close contest. Before the game, the two teams were tied for the best record in the West Division. With 1:38 remaining, Frank Harris led the Roadrunners on a game-winning touchdown drive to seal the win, 31–27.

Later that season, both teams met for the first time in the postseason in the 2022 CUSA Championship game. UTSA went in as the heavy favorite, ranked at #23 in the AP poll, and blew out North Texas at home, 48–27.

As of 2023, UTSA holds a slim lead in the series at 7–5, with both teams having a winning record (4–2 for North Texas, 5–1 for UTSA) in games played at home.