Dawg preview TEMPLE @ USF

'SAM_0593' PhotoCredit: artic_whirlwind via Flickr

The Temple Owls (3-6 1-4 AAC) will travel to Tampa, FL to face the South Florida Bulls (4-5 2-3 AAC).

BROADCAST INFORMATION:

- 12:00 PM Eastern Time Kickoff on ESPN+

- Ted Emrich and Patrick Murray will be on the call for ESPN+.

- On the Temple side: on FM 97.5.

- On the USF side: on FM 102.5.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

USF is 6th in the American Athletic Conference standings while Temple is 13th. The AAC race right now is so tight for teams 6-13 that if Temple wins South Florida can drop as far as 11th in the standings. The Owls ended a four-game losing streak by defeating Navy Saturday 32-18. Temple has struggled statistically this season, particularly on defense. The Owl's defensive rankings are 124th out of 133 teams in points per game (35.78), #117 in yards per game (433.3), and #123 in rushing yards per game (199.6). The Owls offense has not been much better, ranking #111 in points per game with 20.6 but they are ranked #38 with 265.2 passing yards per game. USF has been good on offense but the defense has struggled. On offense, the Bulls are ranked #21 in total yards per game with 453.7 and rushing yards per game with 194.8. However, on defense, the Bulls are #128 in the country in both points per game by giving up an average of 37.0, and yards per game, giving up 459.2.

KEY PLAYERS - Temple

QB EJ Warner – 59.2% passes completed, 2,143 yards, 16 TD and 7 INT.

LB Jordan Magee – 71 tackles, 42 solo, 3.5 sacks, 3 passes broken up, and 1 forced fumble.

KEY PLAYERS - USF

QB Byrum Brown – 63.8% passes completed, 2,222 yards, 17 TD, 7 INT; leads USF in rushing with 673 yards and 8 TD.

WR Sean Atkins – 60 receptions for 639 yards and 4 TDs.

KEY MATCHUPS

The Temple passing attack against the USF secondary. Temple is #38 nationally with 265.2 passing yards per game. The USF pass defense gives up 305.7 passing yards per game, 129th out of 130 teams in the FBS.

USF’s run game against the Temple run defense. USF averages 194.8 yards per game on the ground. Temple gives up 199.6 rushing yards per game, 123rd in the nation.

PREDICTION

At first glance, this should be a shootout with the power of the offenses and struggles of the defenses. While USF has given up 28 sacks already this season, Temple’s defense has only gotten to the opposing quarterbacks 13 times. I think Temple’s offense will make a few mistakes that USF will capitalize on. The USF run game will get going and move the ball effectively to pull away from Temple late. The Owl's only chance of winning is to cause turnovers, which they haven’t done much of this season. The Owls are last in FBS with a turnover margin of -15. USF will get the win at home going away. USF 37 Temple 13