Two schools that prefer to deploy their running games, Head Coach Randy Edsall and the Connecticut Huskies (+28) are set to face off against their conference counterpart Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field. Kickoff for this matchup is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET and CBS Sports Network will broadcast the action.
Betting Preview: Temple Owls vs. Connecticut Huskies
Temple is heavily favored in this one and is currently giving up 28 points to Connecticut. If the Huskies seize momentum early it’ll create a worthwhile live betting opportunity. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 51 points.
The Huskies have lost 1.0 unit so far and are 5-6 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an O/U record of 4-7.
The Owls have lost 1.8 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 7-4 ATS and have an O/U record of 5-6.
The Huskies have gone 2-9 straight up (SU), including 0-7 SU against AAC opponents. The Owls are 7-4 SU overall and 4-3 SU in conference play.
The Huskies hope to get back on track after a 31-24 defeat to East Carolina last week. Their D allowed the Pirates to pass for 374 yards while rushing for 135 yards and three scores. Tyler Snead posted a good day for the Pirates in that one with 126 yards on 16 catches. On the offensive side, Jack Zergiotis completed only 21-of-37 passes for 418 yards, three scores and two interceptions. Kevin Mensah (75 rushing yards on 20 attempts) led the running attack in the loss. Cameron Ross (eight receptions, 169 yards, two TDs) and Matt Drayton (three catches, 99 yards) handled the receiving duties.
Temple narrowly fell 15-13 to Cincinnati. The team’s defensive unit allowed the Bearcats to run for 148 yards on 44 rush attempts, along with one rushing TD. Michael Warren II had a solid showing in the win for Cincinnati, accounting for 106 rushing yards and a score on 24 attempts. For Temple, Anthony Russo completed 24-of-43 passes for 228 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Re’Mahn Davis (71 rushing yards on 13 attempts, one TD) and Jager Gardner (24 yards on 10 carries) spearheaded the ground game in the defeat while Jadan Blue (13 receptions, 120 yards) and Isaiah Wright (three catches, 12 yards) led the pass-catching corps.
Connecticut has run the ball on 53.4 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Temple has a rush percentage of 50.1 percent. The Huskies have rushed for 133.5 yards/game (including 121 per game against American Athletic Conference opponents) and have 12 scores via handoffs this year. The Owls are averaging 131.3 rushing yards per game (125.7 in conference) and have 12 total rush TDs.
If the results so far this season can translate to this game, then it appears the Owls could hold an edge when it comes to applying pressure, since their offensive line has allowed just 18 sacks while the D-line has logged 35 sacks. The Huskies offensive line has given up 29 sacks and their defense has recorded only 18 sacks.
The Huskies offense has averaged 212.9 yards through the air overall (228.9 per game versus conference opposition) and has 13 passing scores so far. The Owls have recorded 255.1 pass yards per game (234 against AAC foes) and have 22 total pass TDs.
Connecticut has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 220.1 yards and pass for 237 yards per game. The Temple defense has allowed 209.1 yards per game to opposing passers and 159.3 yards per game on the ground. The Owls are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.96 to opponents, while the Huskies have given up an 8.02 ANY/A.
Offensively, Zergiotis has put up 1,497 passing yards this year. He’s completed 122-of-211 attempts with eight scores through the air and 10 interceptions. He has a 5.00 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.23 over the last two outings.
Anthony Russo has completed 198-of-338 passes for 2,265 yards, 17 TDs and 10 INTs for Temple. His ANY/A stands at 5.87 for the year and 5.07 across his last two games.
When these two programs met last year, Temple won soundly 57-7.
Connecticut Huskies vs. Temple Owls NCAA Tip
SU Winner: Temple, ATS Winner: Connecticut, O/U: Over
Betting Trends
- The O/U for Connecticut’s previous game was set at 64.5. The under cashed in the team’s 31-24 loss to East Carolina.
- Connecticut has produced 3.2 yards per carry across its past three games and 3.5 over its last two.
- Temple has averaged 3.6 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.3 over its last two.
- Both teams have lost seven fumbles this season.
- In its last three contests, Connecticut is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- Connecticut has lost 10 of its last 11 games SU, with a 21-point victory over Massachusetts on October 26th accounting for the only win over that stretch.
- The O/U for Temple’s last match was set at 46. The under cashed in the 15-13 loss to Cincinnati.
- Over its last three contests, Temple is 3-0 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- Each team has produced six pass plays of 40 yards or more. The Huskies have have made 11 pass plays of 30+ yards while the Owls have created 16 such plays.
- The Connecticut defense has allowed nine pass plays of 40+ yards, while Temple has given up eight such plays.
- The Connecticut offense has created 12 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Temple has created seven such runs.
- The Huskies defense has allowed 16 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Owls have given up 12 such runs.
- The Temple defensive unit has produced 35 sacks on the year while Connecticut has just 18.
