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Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Temple Owls NCAA Football Preview & Free Pick

Scarlet Knights vs Owls NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping

When Greg Schiano left for Tampa Bay after last season, many people thought Rutgers would be in for a disappointing future. Right now, Rutgers might be the most surprising unbeaten team in the nation.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Temple Owls
Temple Stadium
Saturday October 20, 12:00 PM EST on Big East Network
College Football Betting Odds from Justbet
Moneyline: Off
College Football Spread: Rutgers -5.5 (-110) vs. Temple +5.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 41.5

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The Scarlet Knights are 6-0 and ranked 17th in the nation.

Temple comes into this one at 3-2 on the season.

Can Temple knock off the unbeaten Scarlet Knights or will Rutgers surprising run continue?

Rutgers

How has Rutgers gotten to 6-0 this year? The Scarlet Knights defense has been absolutely awesome this year. Opponents are averaging just 60.8 yards per game on the ground against this unit.

That number is good enough to make Rutgers the second-best rushing defense in the nation at this point in the season.

Temple is a team that runs it early and often, so we’ll see if Rutgers can shut them down this weekend.

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Overall, Rutgers is allowing opponents to score only 11.5 points per game so far this year. A tough defense can really shape the way for an excellent season.

Offensively, Rutgers still hasn’t really found a true identity this season.

The Scarlet Knights have a very good running back in Jawan Jamison, but the offensive line isn’t as good as it has been in recent years. Jamison is a real workhorse, but he hasn’t been breaking many big runs.

Gary Nova has been doing a great job managing the game at the quarterback spot. Nova has 11 touchdown passes and just two interceptions.

This offense isn’t dynamic, but they don’t turn it over and beat themselves very often. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Temple

Temple picked up a big road win in Connecticut last weekend. The Owls are a team that relies heavily on the running game. Temple has two very good running backs in Montel Harris and Matt Brown. Harris is a transfer from Boston College, and he is averaging 4.5 yards per carry. Brown is a speedster who is capable of breaking long runs at any time.

Chris Coyer is the starting quarterback for Temple. Coyer is a runner first, and he is still trying to develop as a passer. Coyer has only attempted 101 passes all season.

The Owls defense has given up a lot of yards so far this year, but they have done a good job forcing turnovers and holding opponents to field goal attempts rather than touchdowns.

This unit doesn’t have the star power they had just a couple years ago, but they have a lot of guys who do a good job staying in position and making stops when they are called upon.

Neither of these teams has shown they can put up a big point total so far this year, and I don’t see why that would start here.

Look for a battle of two solid defenses in this one.

Free College Football Pick: Under 41.5

By Kyle Hunter

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