Temple vs. USF Odds
| Temple Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -110 | 55 -110o / -110u | +115 |
| USF Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -110 | 55 -110o / -110u | -135 |
The South Florida Bulls hope to find their first FBS victory in over 720 days as they welcome the Temple Owls.
South Florida suffered a gut-wrenching defeat to Tulsa last time out after holding an 11-point second half lead. The Bulls are 1-4 on the season and this matchup will be head coach Jeff Scott’s best chance to find his program a victory against another FBS program this season.
Temple has surprised many sitting at 3-3 on the season and 1-1 in conference play. The Owls upset Memphis 34-31 and found victories against Akron and Wagner. But the Owls have been demoralized in their three losses to Rutgers, Boston College and Cincinnati, getting outscored 141-20.
A win in this spot could be crucial for Temple’s chances at becoming bowl eligible this season.
Both offenses have struggled to find the end zone this season and points could be few and far between in this AAC clash.
Temple Owls
Temple Offense
The Temple offense has averaged less than 20 points and 330 yards of total offense per game against FBS competition.
The Owls rank 93rd in Rushing and 103rd in Passing Success Rates. The offensive unit has struggled to put together scoring drives as they convert on 30% of their third-down attempts.
A Big Play ranking of 84th proves why this offense averages less than three touchdowns a game.
Redshirt freshman quarterback D’Wan Mathis has been inconsistent this season. He was able to beat up on Wagner and Memphis, but in his other two starts, he completed 47% of his passes, averaging 5.2 yards per attempt with two interceptions.
The Owls own a mixed bag at running back with six different ball carriers scoring a touchdown. Temple has no one who is averaging more than 32 rushing yards per game and as a team, average 3.7 yards per attempt.
Temple Defense
The Temple defense has allowed 34 points per game but hasn’t had the easiest schedule to date.
The Owls have matched up against two Power Five schools in Rutgers and Boston College, to go along with the cream of the crop in the AAC in Cincinnati and Memphis.
Even with playing some stiff competition, the unit still ranks 34th in Passing Success Rate and has been able to pressure the quarterback, ranking 40th in defensive pass rush.
They’ve allowed 6.4 yards per pass attempt, which ranks 24th in the country.
Temple has been able to limit big plays for the most part but has allowed teams to convert on 40% of third-down attempts.
South Florida Bulls
USF Offense
The USF offense has mustered up 19 points per game and just over 300 yards of total offense per outing this season.
The offense ranks 39th in the nation with a 59% Rush Rate, yet only averages 3.6 yards per carry.
Jaren Mangham is the red-zone running back who has punched in 10 touchdowns on the season on his 70 carries. Quarterback Timmy McClain owns the second-most carries on the team but averages only 2.7 yards per rush.
He isn’t much better as a passer as he has completed less than 55% of his passes, averaging 7.9 yards per attempt. He’s thrown the lone touchdown pass for the Bulls in their six games.
USF Defense
The USF defense hasn’t been great this season but has faced some of the stiffest competition at this juncture. The Bulls have had the 13th toughest Strength of Schedule through the first six weeks, according to PFF.
Against FBS competition, the Bulls have allowed 9.0 yards per pass and 6.2 yards per rush. They rank near the bottom of the country in Passing Success Rate and 95th in Rushing Success Rate. The USF defense ranks dead last in the country, totaling just only three sacks on the year.
The unit has struggled in creating Havoc and allowing explosive plays, but the Owls' offense hasn’t been particularly keen in those areas either.
Temple vs. USF Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Temple and USF match up statistically:
Temple Offense vs. USF Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 93 | 95 |  |
| Line Yards | 95 | 104 | |
| Pass Success | 103 | 129 | |
| Pass Blocking** | 70 | 124 | |
| Big Play | 84 | 115 | |
| Havoc | 81 | 124 | |
| Finishing Drives | 116 | 98 | |
| ** Pass Blocking (Off.) vs. Pass Rush (Def.) | |||
USF Offense vs. Temple Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 65 | 111 | |
| Line Yards | 92 | 95 | |
| Pass Success | 112 | 34 | |
| Pass Blocking** | 90 | 40 | |
| Big Play | 94 | 54 | |
| Havoc | 96 | 82 | |
| Finishing Drives | 110 | 125 | |
| ** Pass Blocking (Off.) vs. Pass Rush (Def.) | |||
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 91 | 130 |
| Coverage | 95 | 86 |
| Middle 8 | 78 | 97 |
| SP+ Special Teams | 31 | 40 |
| Plays per Minute | 90 | 85 |
| Rush Rate | 51.% (89) | 59.3% (39) |
Data via College Football Data, FootballOutsiders, SP+, PFF and SportSource Analytics.
Temple vs. USF Betting Pick
This matchup includes two bad defenses that will be matching up against two worse offenses.
Temple has shown an ability to bounce back well off of a loss this season and gets a bye week to help prepare for the lackluster USF offense. The Bulls have only thrown for one touchdown pass all season and present minimal threat through the air.
Temple owns a rush rate of 51%, yet presents a nonexistent run game.
Add in the fact that USF ranks 85th and Temple ranks 90th in plays per minute, and this game has all the signals for a slow-paced, low-scoring affair.
