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Temple Owls 2015 NCAA Football Odds & Predictions

2015-2016 Football Previews (AAC) – Owls

I think it is safe to say the Temple Owls are trying to figure out exactly what they are on the football field. It seems they have found a conference home in the American and now they need to figure out how to be one of those programs that nobody wants to play, sort of like the basketball squad.

They had things pointed in the right direction for a while but losing program builder Al Golden and then his replacement Steve Addazio has limited their consistency. Now under coach Matt Rhule they seem to have things pointed in the right direction again.

NCAA Football Gambling Lines

AAC Lines

AAC 2015-2016 College Football Preview — Temple

Head Coach:  Matt Rhule
2014 Record:  6-6
Odds to win AAC:  +550
Win Total:  7

The owls are looking to build on last year thanks to a lot of experience coming back (understatement). They have a chance to make a real statement in their opener when they host Penn State, a game that is actually winnable.

In fact, their two toughest games might be their first two of the year, as they also travel to Cincinnati in Week 2. We will know a lot about this team in the first month but don’t get discouraged if they finish September with just a single win.

Strengths

Is experience a skill? The Owls return all but one starter on defense, as well as eight starters on offense. Most of those players are juniors and seniors too so they have been with the current coaching staff for a while now and should be ready to take things to the next level.

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One of those starters on offense is junior QB P.J. Walker, a mobile QB who showed some real fire as a frosh but seemed to play a little more timid last season. He should be well protected and hopefully that will create some more explosive plays. This team has force the effort on offense a little.

Weaknesses

This team was only 6-6 last season, so perhaps returning so much talent isn’t as big a coup as you think. Last season, the offense really struggled to make big plays and with practically everyone returning that might still be a weakness. They were terrible also on third downs and were near the bottom in the AAC in most offensive categories.

Last year they were fifth in the FCS in forced turnovers, though, which helped mask a defense that was more in the middle of the pack than elite in terms of yards allowed.

Relying on that again may be asking too much especially as they have a number of big boys on the schedule who have more talent than they do.

Temple Owls 2015-16 Prediction: 6-6

The Owls are likely to lose their first two games, but I am looking at their third contest as the early barometer for the season. UMass is expected to compete in the MAC using a very similar formula to Temple – experience. The game is at Foxborough and the Owls are going to need to win it to prove “all the hype” coming into this season was somewhat justified.

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If they lose, the season will feel lost before the end of the first month. Temple is in the AAC East, which is the tougher of the two divisions. The schedule they have would be perfect if they had a better team because other than visiting Cincinnati all the other tough league games are at home. They should win most of the games they are supposed to this season and have an interesting Halloween game against Notre Dame.

If things are not working out well, look for them to use it as their Super Bowl. They are at home and you have to assume they will be the underdog but think about backing them in that one.

Betting wise there’s probably not a lot going on here. This is likely going to be an under team, and I almost never get on those.

Temple Owls 2015 College Football Schedule

September 5 – Penn State
September 12 – @ Cincinnati
September 19 – Massachusetts
October 2 – @ Charlotte
October 10 – Tulane
October 17 – Central Florida
October 22 – @ East Carolina
October 31 – Notre Dame
November 8 – @ SMU
November 14 – @ South Florida
November 21 – Memphis
November 28 – Connecticut

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By The Wiesguy

The Wiesguy is a newcomer to the handicapping scene. Hailing from Toronto, Canada he is always sweet on the underdogs and you can often find his thoughts, musings and picks at moneydogs.blogspot.com.