This game looks like it will be a defensive battle as the Connecticut Huskies (6-5) play the Temple Owls (9-2). The game will begin Saturday, Nov 28 at 7:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPU.
Temple beat Memphis 31-12 last week. P.J. Walker had an outstanding performance throwing the ball in the win, completing 14 of 26 passes for 261 yards, two TDs and one interception. Robby Anderson added 80 receiving yards on five receptions. Connecticut also got the win in last week’s performance, slipping by Houston 20-17. Noel Thomas had a big game for the Huskies, totaling seven receptions for 108 yards and two TDs.
The Owls, a 12-point favorite, will be looking to defend their home field when Connecticut visits. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is unavailable at the moment.
The Owls enter the game with records of 9-2 Straight Up (SU) and 8-3 Against The Spread (ATS) this season. In the past five games, Temple is 3-2 SU and 4-1 ATS. Expect the 25th-ranked Owls run defense to cause headaches for the Huskies run game. The Owls give up 127.3 rushing yards per game. A pivotal part of the game will be whether the Owls can attack Connecticut’s offensive line, which currently is 111th in the nation in sacks allowed with 2.9 per game. Temple usually finishes games strong, averaging 10.4 points in the fourth quarter.
Across the field, the Huskies have a record of 5-6 ATS and 6-5 SU. In the previous five games, Connecticut has a record of 3-2 SU and 2-3 ATS. Connecticut has bolstered its run game. During the past five games, the Huskies eclipsed their season average of 135.1 rushing yards per game with an average of 164.2 during that period. Switching gears to the Connecticut defense, there are certain areas where it measures up well against the Owls. Connecticut’s 25th-ranked pass defense has given its competition difficulty. Opponents have only thrown for 189.4 yards per game against this intimidating group. Given Temple’s history, this game could come down to penalties. The Owls have been one of the most penalized teams in the nation this year, with 64 penalty yards per game.
Predictions: SU Winner – Temple, ATS Winner – Temple
Notes
Temple is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Temple’s last 8 games at home.
Temple is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Temple’s last 6 games when playing Connecticut.
Connecticut is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games on the road.
Connecticut is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Temple.
Connecticut is 5-1 SU when leading at the half this season. Temple is 6-0 SU when taking a lead into halftime.
Remarkably, Connecticut is winless (0-2) SU in games where it wins the turnover battle, yet 4-2 SU when losing the turnover battle.
The Connecticut defense has forced an average of 2.2 turnovers per game this season. Temple is just 1-3 SU when turning the ball over at least 2.0 times in a game.
The Temple rushing attack is ranked only 86th in the nation, while the Connecticut run defense is ranked 64th. The Huskies rushing game is ranked just 108th, compared to the 25th-ranked run defense of the Owls.
