A couple of schools that like running the football, Head Coach Geoff Collins and the Temple Owls (+29) are set to take on their conference rival Connecticut Huskies at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Fans can catch the action live on ESPNU and kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Connecticut Huskies vs. Temple Owls
Temple is the heavy road favorite and is currently giving up 29 points to Connecticut. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 68 points, and if one side can catch a lucky break early, it’ll likely produce a worthwhile betting scenario in-game.
This game’s opening line was 28.5, while the total hasn’t changed since it opened at 68.
The Owls are 7-4 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 1.3 units this season. The team’s posted an O/U record of 5-5.
The Huskies are down 4.0 units in 2018. The team is 3-8 ATS and six of its games have gone over the total.
The Owls have gone 7-4 straight up (SU), including 6-1 SU against conference opponents. The Huskies are 1-10 SU overall and 0-7 SU in conference play.
Temple enters this contest on a zero-game losing skid while Connecticut has won zero in a row. The Owls are coming off a 27-17 victory over South Florida last week. Anthony Russo completed 20-of-34 passes for 264 yards and one interception. Ryquell Armstead (64 yards on 26 rush attempts, one TD) led the ground attack in the win. Ventell Bryant (four receptions, 76 yards) and Branden Mack (three catches, 41 yards) handled the receiving duties.
Back on November 17, East Carolina knocked off this Connecticut team by a score of 55-21. The Huskies defensive unit let the Pirates eat up the clock by running for 415 yards on 54 rush attempts, including three rush TDs. Holton Ahlers had a productive showing in the win for East Carolina, recording 130 rushing yards and a score on 12 attempts. As a group, the Huskies collectively completed 17-of-33 passes for 183 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. David Pindell went 15-for-25 for 156 yards, three touchdowns and one interception while Brandon Bisack was one-of-seven for 11 yards and one interception. Pindell (3 rushing yards on 15 attempts) and Kevin Mensah (88 yards on 14 carries) spearheaded the ground game in the defeat while Hergy Mayala (six receptions, 35 yards, one TD) and Tyler Davis (four catches, 66 yards, two TDs) led all Connecticut pass-catchers.
Temple has run the ball on 53.0 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 55.4 percent across possessions in conference play. Connecticut has a rush percentage of 57.8 percent, and has kept it on the ground 53.9 percent of the time when playing AAC opponents. The Owls have run for 152.8 yards/game (including 166.3 per game versus American Athletic Conference opponents) and have 22 touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Huskies are totaling 207.4 rushing yards per game (209.4 in conference) and have 16 total rush TDs.
If the numbers so far this season can translate to this game, then it appears the Owls could hold an advantage when it comes to quarterback protection. Their offensive line has allowed only 20 sacks while their D-line registered 39 sacks. The Huskies, on the other hand, have allowed 35 sacks and their defense has logged only 23 sacks.
The Owls offensive scheme has averaged 258.7 yards in the air overall (268.0 per game against conference opposition) and has 18 passing scores so far. The Huskies have put up 186.1 pass yards per game (204 against AAC competition) and have 19 total pass TDs.
Temple appears to have the upper hand in both defensive phases. The team has allowed opponents to run for an average of 197.4 yards and pass for 172.4 yards per game. The Connecticut defense has given up 287.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 338.8 yards per game to opposing runners. The Owls are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 3.86 to opponents, while the Huskies have given up an ugly 11.42 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Russo is up to 2,118 yards this year, and has connected on 159-of-277 attempts with 13 scores through the air and 13 interceptions. He has a 6.07 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 7.02 over the last two outings.
Ryquell Armstead (832 rushing yards, seven rush TDs on the year), Ventell Bryant (580 receiving yards, three receiving TDs) and Branden Mack (422 receiving yards, five TDs) have each played significant roles lately.
David Pindell has connected on 149-of-253 passes for 1,658 yards, 14 TDs and nine INTs for Connecticut. His ANY/A stands at 5.26 for the year and 5.40 over his past two outings.
Similar to the Owls, expect a balanced approach offensively from Connecticut this Saturday. Kevin Mensah (764 rushing yards, five rush TDs this season), David Pindell (937 rush yards, eight rush TDs, 16 receiving yards) and Aaron McLean (314 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) have combined for 567 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns the last couple of games.
When these two teams faced one another last year, Connecticut emerged victorious by a score of 28-24.
Temple Owls at Connecticut Huskies Free Pick
SU Winner: Connecticut, ATS Winner: Connecticut, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- The Connecticut offense has lost 10 fumbles this season while Temple has lost five.
- The Temple D has sacked opposing quarterbacks 28 times this season. Connecticut has recorded just 11 sacks.
- Temple, as a team, has produced 4.2 yards per carry over its past three outings and 3.9 over its last two.
- Connecticut has averaged 5.6 yards per carry over its last three games and 5.8 over its last two.
- Over its last three games, Connecticut is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- The Over/Under for Temple’s previous game was set at 62.5. The under cashed in the team’s 27-17 win over South Florida.
- In its last three matchups, Temple is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Connecticut’s last outing was set at 70. The over cashed in the 55-21 loss to East Carolina.
- Temple has won six of its last seven games SU, with a November 1st defeat to UCF accounting for the only loss over that stretch.
