The Tulane Green Wave (-4.5) are heading northeast to take on their conference foe Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field. This vital afternoon game is scheduled to kick off at 12:00 p.m. ET and ESPNU will televise the action.
Betting Preview: Temple Owls vs. Tulane Green Wave
In this Saturday American Athletic Conference game, Tulane is projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 4.5 points. In order to take the favorite, moneyline bettors would currently have to spend $200 to win $100 back on the Green Wave (-200). The Owls are getting +170 moneyline odds. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 55.5 points, and some good live betting opportunities might exist during the matchup.
Early action has moved toward the Green Wave, as the line opened at 3. The game’s O/U has not moved after it was set initially at 55.5.
The Green Wave are 7-2 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 1.0 unit so far in 2019. The team’s posted an O/U record of 6-3.
The Owls have lost 2.9 units this season. The team is 5-4 ATS and has an O/U record of 5-4.
The Green Wave have gone 6-3 straight up (SU), including 3-2 SU against conference opponents. The Owls are 6-3 SU overall and 3-2 SU in conference play.
The Green Wave are coming off a resounding 38-26 win over Tulsa on November 2. The passing game left much to be desired as Justin McMillan completed 12-of-16 passes for only 184 yards, one score and two interceptions. McMillan (73 rushing yards on 12 attempts, three TDs) also led the ground attack in the win and was complemented by Corey Dauphine (78 yards on 10 carries). Jaetavian Toles (four receptions, 41 yards) and Jalen McCleskey (two catches, 53 yards) handled the receiving duties.
Temple just picked up a 17-7 win over South Florida. The team’s defense did its part in the victory, keeping the Bulls to just 225 passing yards and 61 yards on the ground. Jordan Cronkrite was a bright spot in the loss, posting 37 yards on four catches for South Florida. For Temple, Anthony Russo completed 15-of-21 passes for 164 yards and one interception. Jager Gardner (133 rushing yards on 25 attempts) mounted the ground game in the win as Jadan Blue (11 receptions, 121 yards) and Jose Barbon (three catches, 17 yards) led the receiving attack.
Tulane’s run the ball on 64.2 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Temple has a rush percentage of 52.6 percent. The Green Wave have produced 261.2 rush yards per game (including 251.8 per game versus American Athletic Conference opponents) and have 26 scores via handoffs this year. The Owls are putting up 140.1 rushing yards per game (139.4 in conference) and have 11 total rush TDs.
The Green Wave offensive scheme has averaged 212.3 yards through the air overall (234 per game against conference opposition) and has 15 passing scores so far. The Owls have put up 253 pass yards per contest (222 against AAC competition) and have 18 total pass TDs.
Tulane seems to possess an advantage when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 167.4 yards and pass for 199.7 yards per game. The Temple defense has allowed 234.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 155.7 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Green Wave have given up an ANY/A of 5.97 to opposing QBs, while the Owls are yielding an ANY/A of 5.65.
Russo has connected on 162-of-271 passes for 1,838 yards, 14 TDs and seven INTs. Russo’s adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 6.24 for the year and 4.39 over his last two games. In the other locker room, McMillan is up to 1,413 passing yards this season, and has connected on 104-of-176 attempts with 10 passing touchdowns and seven interceptions. McMillan’s got a 6.61 ANY/A, including 7.18 over the last two games.
These two conference adversaries did not get a chance to face one another last year.
Tulane Green Wave at Temple Owls NCAA Tip
SU Winner: Tulane, ATS Winner: Tulane, O/U: Over
Betting Trends
- As a team, Tulane has produced 5.1 yards per carry across its past three games and 5.4 over its last two.
- Temple has averaged 2.4 yards per carry over its last three contests and 2.5 over its last two.
- Temple has lost seven fumbles this season while Tulane has lost four.
- The Green Wave offense has created seven pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Owls have put up five such plays.
- The Tulane defense has allowed five pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Temple has given up eight such plays.
- The Tulane offense has created 19 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Temple has created five such runs.
- The Green Wave defense has allowed 13 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Owls have given up 10 such runs.
- The Temple D has sacked opposing quarterbacks 29 times this year. Tulane has produced just 15 sacks.
