PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's Friday Night Game of the Year
(NCAAF) Temple vs. Houston,
Point Spread: 8.00 | -110.00 Temple (Away)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: 8.00 | -110.00 Temple (Away)
Result: Loss
Temple is well coached, limits its mistakes, is highly opportunistic and has a good quarterback.
Houston is inconsistent, has made a quarterback change and lost its best defensive player last week, senior linebacker Derrick Mathews.
The Owls are 4-1 with only a seven-point loss to Navy. An upset win against Houston and the Owls can actually start talking about going to a bowl. This is a rare nationally televised game for the Owls and a revenge game, too.
I consider Matt Rhule one of the best young head coaches in the country. His Owls have covered in their last six road games. Houston, on the other hand, is 1-4 ATS in its last five home contests. Rhule will have Temple prepared for this matchup.
Both teams have shown strong defenses and a great ability to come up with takeaways. Temple allows only 14.4 points per game and leads the nation in red zone defense.
The Owls will be dealing with Greg Ward Jr. under center. He's making his second career start at quarterback having switched from receiver replacing John O'Korn. Ward is without the Cougars' second-leading receiver, Daniel Spencer. He suffered a knee injury during practice last week.
The Cougars are holding foes to 19.2 points a game, but the loss of Mathews is huge. Temple quarterback P.J. Walker is 97-for-157 for 1,099 yards and nine touchdowns. He has a reliable target in Jalen Fitzpatrick and underrated running backs.
The Owls have come up with five defensive touchdowns and two special teams scores. This is a step up for them. But they have the talent, coaching and motivation to spring the upset.
Houston is inconsistent, has made a quarterback change and lost its best defensive player last week, senior linebacker Derrick Mathews.
The Owls are 4-1 with only a seven-point loss to Navy. An upset win against Houston and the Owls can actually start talking about going to a bowl. This is a rare nationally televised game for the Owls and a revenge game, too.
I consider Matt Rhule one of the best young head coaches in the country. His Owls have covered in their last six road games. Houston, on the other hand, is 1-4 ATS in its last five home contests. Rhule will have Temple prepared for this matchup.
Both teams have shown strong defenses and a great ability to come up with takeaways. Temple allows only 14.4 points per game and leads the nation in red zone defense.
The Owls will be dealing with Greg Ward Jr. under center. He's making his second career start at quarterback having switched from receiver replacing John O'Korn. Ward is without the Cougars' second-leading receiver, Daniel Spencer. He suffered a knee injury during practice last week.
The Cougars are holding foes to 19.2 points a game, but the loss of Mathews is huge. Temple quarterback P.J. Walker is 97-for-157 for 1,099 yards and nine touchdowns. He has a reliable target in Jalen Fitzpatrick and underrated running backs.
The Owls have come up with five defensive touchdowns and two special teams scores. This is a step up for them. But they have the talent, coaching and motivation to spring the upset.
