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(Photo: JJ Perez, InsideRunnerSports.com)   By JJ Perez For InsideRunnerSports.com UTSA hosts Colorado State on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the Alamodome (ESPNU) to close nonconference play. Both teams sit at 2-1. A win would send the Roadrunners into American Conference play at 3-1. Here are the five questions surrounding the program headed into week four. Will the defense keep climbing? The scoreboard in Austin was ugly. The tape was not. Against No. 1 Texas, UTSA's defense played above expectation. The secondary locked up talented receivers. The front seven held its ground. Most important: the tackling was cleaner than it was in the first two weeks. Texas' longest play went just 24 yards. That is the version of this unit the staff has been chasing: bend, don't break and few to no explosives. Colorado State still has weapons, especially if the Rams lean on the run with their starting QB in doubt. The question is whether last Saturday was a one-week spike or a turning point. Prediction: Week three at Texas was a turning point for UTSA's defense. The corners and safeties look like two of strongest groups UTSA has had at those spots in years. The linebackers and defensive line should keep improving week to week. Expect another solid showing. Can the offense find its footing? Almost nothing worked offensively in Austin. Blocking, rhythm, penalties, and production all went sideways. Owen McCown finished 14-of-23 for 70 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. UTSA managed 143 total yards. The first two weeks were better than that, not elite, but functional. Texas is a different in speed, size, and talent. That still does not excuse how far the Roadrunners fell below their own standard. This week can be a the reset. The Roadrunners have an opportunity for cleaner protection, fewer empty possessions while trying to get RB Will Henderson and the receivers into the game. Prediction: Texas was the mismatch. Colorado State is not. If UTSA plays a cleaner offensive game, this should be the best production of the season. Does the offensive line take a step forward? This is the biggest concern after three weeks. Pass protection has been a struggle and Head Coach Jeff Traylor has been open about it. The tackles have been dealing with injuries. Traylor said this week the unit is still a few weeks away from where the staff wants it. Guard Ben Rios called last week "definitely not to the standard." Traylor still likes the talent and depth if they can stay healthy. Injuries in the trenches are hard to paper over. The standard does not change, though. Colorado State is the first chance to prove the line can hold up against a team in its own weight class. Prediction: It might not look like a finished product but it should look better. Barring another injury, this is the week the o-line starts trending the right direction. Will penalties finally slow down? They have been too frequent and too expensive. Some of the flags in Austin were debatable. But that does not change how deterimential they have been.  Talent will not cover this once league play starts. The correction should start now. Prediction: Look for a cleaner game against the Rams and the first real step toward getting this under control. Can the Roadrunners start 3-1? It's been a long time since UTSA has played in the nonconference portion of their season. If the Roadrunners get passed Colorado State, that would put their record at 3-1. That would be the best start to a season since the 2021 campaign. That year ended with a conference championship. Prediction: UTSA comes out at plays their best overall game of 2026. The win jumpstarts momentum as the Roadrunners begin American Conference play next week.