Photo by Tim Flores-USA TODAY Sports
Temple Owls (1-3) vs SMU Mustangs (6-1)
Game Info: Saturday, November 7th, 2020 at 12:00 pm (Lincoln Financial Field)
Betting Odds: Temple Owls -- Over/Under: Click Here for the Latest Odds
Where to Watch: ESPN+ Stream live sports and exclusive originals on ESPN+. Sign up now! 
The 22nd ranked SMU Mustangs will travel to Lincoln Financial Field to take on the Temple Owls this Saturday afternoon in College Football action.
The 22nd ranked SMU Mustangs improved to 6-1 (3-1 AAC) on the season after defeating the Navy Midshipmen, 51-37, this past Saturday. SMU had no trouble getting their offense rolling agianst Navy and easily secured the victory after taking a 51-17 lead early in the 4th quarter. SMU outgained Navy by a 555-430 margin and forced the Midshipmen into committing one turnover in the victory. Leading the way for the Mustangs was QB Shane Buechele who completed 23 of 28 passes for 300 yards & 3 TD’s.
On the season, SMU is averaging 39.6 ppg on 523.0 total yards per game (330.1 passing yds/g; 192.9 rushing yds/g). Offensively, SMU has been led by QB Shane Buechele who has completed 66.3% of his passes for 2,226 yards, 16 TD & 3 INT. SMU lost their big threat receiver in Reggie Roberson Jr. (22 rec, 474 yards, 5 TD) for the season due to injury however, still have plenty of receiving threats led by Rashee Rice (34 rec, 521 yards, 4 TD), Danny Gray (23 rec, 342 yards, 4 TD), and Kylen Granson (24 rec, 336 yards, 2 TD). Leading the way for the SMU backfield has been Ulysses Bentley IV who has 695 rushing yards & 10 TD’s on 115 carries.
Defensively, SMU is allowing their opponents to average 415.1 total yards per game (221.4 passing yds/g; 193.7 rushing yds/g).
The Temple Owls lost their 2nd straight game and dropped to 1-3 (1-3 AAC) on the season after being defeated by the Tulane Green Wave, 38-3, this past Saturday. Temple struggled offensively agianst Tulane and could not fight back after the Green Wave took a 24-3 lead late in the 3rd quarter. Temple was outgained by Tulane by a 504-222 margin and won the turnover battle by a 3-1 margin in the loss. Leading the way for the Owls was Branden Mack who had 3 receptions for 54 yards.
On the season, Temple is averaging 25.0 ppg on 386.3 total yards per game (260.8 passing yds/g; 125.5 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Temple is led by QB Anthony Rizzo (68.1 comp %, 863 yards, 9 TD, 6 INT) who missed last week’s game agianst Tulane due to a shoulder injury. Replacing Russo last week with Trad Beatty who completed 11 of 18 passes for 122 yards & 1 INT. The top receiving threats for the Owls have been Randle Jones (29 rec, 284 yards, TD), Jaden Blue (31 rec, 266 yards, 5 TD), and Branden Mack (19 rec, 227 yards, 3 TD). Leading the way for the Temple backfield has been Re’Mahn Davis who has 308 rushing yards & 1 TD on 78 carries.
Defensively, Temple is allowing their opponents to average 36.8 ppg on 404.0 total yards per game (190.5 passing yds/g; 213.5 rushing yds/g).
The Mustangs are 4-3 ATS on the season, however, just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games. The Owls are 1-3 ATS on the season and 2-3 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Temple has a bunch of question marks as QB Anthony Rizzo is still questionable with a shoulder injury while many other starters are questionable due to COVID-19. Even if Temple was at full health, it's hard would be hard to back the Owls as their defense is nowhere near as strong as we've seen in past years and should have a very difficult time slowing down the duo of Shane Buechele & Ulysses Bentley IV. The line has yet to be released with so much uncertainly, however, it's going to be hard for me not to go with SMU, even if it's a large number. Check back later for my official pick. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Please Check Back Later When The Line Is Released
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
