PREMIUM
Rogers' Thursday Night ESPN Winner (Temple/Memphis) >> 67% NCAAF Run!
(NCAAF) Temple vs. Memphis,
Point Spread: 10.00 | -102.00 Temple (Away)
Result: Win
Point Spread: 10.00 | -102.00 Temple (Away)
Result: Win
Temple: The Owls opened the 2015 season 7-0, rising to No. 22 in the AP poll. They then lost a heartbreaker at home to Notre Dame (24-20) and never quite reclaimed their mojo, losing the AAC title game 24-13 at Houston and 32-17 in the Boca Raton Bowl to Toledo, finishing 10-4. Head coach Matt Ruhle was a hot commodity but decided to stay in Philadelphia at Temple. The Owls are 3-1 (1-0 in AAC play) with questionable play from QB Walker, who is completing just 55.1 percent with six TDs and seven INTs. The Owls do have a nice RB duo in Armstead (313 YR and six TDs) and Thomas, who also has six rushing TDs. The offense is averaging a modest 350.2 YPG (106th) but Temple is averaging 34.2 PPG (ranks 51st). The defensive numbers are similar to last year (20.1 PPG and 337.1 YPG), as Temple is allowing 20.4 PPG (34th) and 319.4 YPG (20th) so far in 2016.
Memphis: Like the Owls, the Tigers jumped out of the gate well in 2015, sitting at 8-0 and ranked 13th before losing four of their final five games. The defense just got overwhelmed down the stretch, allowing 35.5 PPG in those four losses. However, unlike the Owls, Memphis was not able to hang on to its well-respected head coach, as Justin Fuente left for Va. Tech, taking over for the retiring Frank Beamer. Mike Norvell left Arizona State assistant coach) to take over at Memphis, his first-ever head coaching job. Memphis also lost QB Paxton Lynch, who has been replaced by JC transfer Riley Ferguson. Memphis opened 2016 at 3-0, while averaging 51.7 PPG, but then couldn't stay with Ole Miss in Oxford, losing 48-28. Ferguson is completing 66.4% for 1186 yards with 11 TDs and five INTs, leading an offense averaging 45.8 PPG (6th) on 477.2 YPG (33rd). The defense is underrated, as despite the Ole Miss loss, Memphis has allowed just 18.8 PPG (25th).
The pick: Temple handled Memphis at home fairly easily last year, wining 31-12. The Owls come in 3-2 SU on the season but Temple has covered four straight games, since getting upset 28-13 at home by Army in its season opener (Owls were two-TD favorites). Temple is 9-2 ATS its last 11 road games, while Memphis is just 3-9 ATS its last 12 at home vs. AAC opponents. Temple is an 8* play.
Memphis: Like the Owls, the Tigers jumped out of the gate well in 2015, sitting at 8-0 and ranked 13th before losing four of their final five games. The defense just got overwhelmed down the stretch, allowing 35.5 PPG in those four losses. However, unlike the Owls, Memphis was not able to hang on to its well-respected head coach, as Justin Fuente left for Va. Tech, taking over for the retiring Frank Beamer. Mike Norvell left Arizona State assistant coach) to take over at Memphis, his first-ever head coaching job. Memphis also lost QB Paxton Lynch, who has been replaced by JC transfer Riley Ferguson. Memphis opened 2016 at 3-0, while averaging 51.7 PPG, but then couldn't stay with Ole Miss in Oxford, losing 48-28. Ferguson is completing 66.4% for 1186 yards with 11 TDs and five INTs, leading an offense averaging 45.8 PPG (6th) on 477.2 YPG (33rd). The defense is underrated, as despite the Ole Miss loss, Memphis has allowed just 18.8 PPG (25th).
The pick: Temple handled Memphis at home fairly easily last year, wining 31-12. The Owls come in 3-2 SU on the season but Temple has covered four straight games, since getting upset 28-13 at home by Army in its season opener (Owls were two-TD favorites). Temple is 9-2 ATS its last 11 road games, while Memphis is just 3-9 ATS its last 12 at home vs. AAC opponents. Temple is an 8* play.
