The Temple Owls (3-7, 2-4 AAC) take on the UTSA Roadrunners (5-5, 3-3) in American Athletic Conference play on Friday night. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. ET and can be seen live on ESPN2.
UTSA is starting to find its rhythm, winning 3 of its last 4. Now, it's seeking to unlock bowl eligibility in its home finale.
Meanwhile, Temple is struggling through another losing season and has recently fired head coach Stan Drayton. However, the Owls are coming off an 18-15 win over Florida Atlantic, leading to the firing of FAU head coach Tom Herman.
UTSA enters this conference clash as a hefty -16.5 favorite, while the over/under is set at 56.5. So, where does the Friday night betting value lie?
Let's take a look at my Temple vs. UTSA predictions and college football picks for Friday, Nov. 22.
Temple Owls vs. UTSA Roadrunners Prediction, Best Bets
- Temple vs. UTSA Pick: UTSA Team Total Over 36.5
My UTSA vs. Temple best bet is on the Roadrunners to go over their team total. Find the best line on live NCAAF odds page.
Temple vs. UTSA Odds, Spread
| Temple Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+17.5 -112 | 56.5 -110o / -110u | +590 |
| UTSA Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-17.5 -108 | 56.5 -110o / -110u | -900 |
- Temple vs UTSA Spread: UTSA -17.5, Temple +17.5
- Temple vs UTSA Over/Under: 56.5 Total points
- Temple vs UTSA Moneyline: UTSA -900, Temple +550
Temple Football vs. UTSA Football Week 12 Preview
Temple Owls Betting Preview
Temple comes in off an 18-15 home win against FAU in overtime last week — its third home victory of the season.
The Owls controlled the game throughout, holding FAU to just seven points and 242 yards before a game-tying touchdown drive in the final minute forced overtime.
Temple played one of its best games of the season defensively, and quarterback Evan Simon continued to impress after taking over for Forrest Brock.
While Temple does have some nice home wins against some of the weaker teams in the AAC, the Owls have been terrible on the road this season and figure to struggle here in this matchup in a hostile environment.
Defensively, Temple ranks near the bottom of FBS in many of the key metrics that UTSA will exploit. The Owls rank 129th in Defensive EPA Per Rush allowed and 127th in Rush Explosiveness allowed.
UTSA running backs Robert Henry and Kevorian Barnes should have plenty of running room as the offensive line creates some big holes against an overmatched Temple defensive front seven that has given up 227 yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry over the last three weeks.
The Roadrunners have also been running quarterback Owen McCown more in recent weeks, and mobile quarterbacks carrying the football have given the Temple defense problems all season.
UTSA Roadrunners Betting Preview
UTSA started the season 2-4, seemingly void of identity and direction as a program. The Roadrunners looked average against Kennesaw State in the opener and found themselves on the wrong end of two close losses in conference play.
However, UTSA has responded well to save its season, winning three of its last four games. It also arguably should have defeated Tulsa sandwiched in between the victories.
The Roadrunners should have their way against this Temple defense, as the offense has been surging the last four weeks.
McCown has thrown for over 300 yards in each of the last four weeks and added 88 rushing yards on 10 carries against North Texas last week.
This team is firing on all cylinders right now, and I'd be stunned if we didn't see a strong performance out of “Meep Meep” on Friday night.
Temple vs. UTSA Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Temple and UTSA match up statistically:
Temple Offense vs. UTSA Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 133 | 3 | |
| Line Yards | 125 | 1 | |
| Pass Success | 117 | 96 | |
| Havoc | 113 | 3 | |
| Finishing Drives | 98 | 84 | |
| Quality Drives | 127 | 70 | |
UTSA Offense vs. Temple Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 119 | 82 | |
| Line Yards | 92 | 106 | |
| Pass Success | 75 | 109 | |
| Havoc | 65 | 134 | |
| Finishing Drives | 112 | 109 |  |
| Quality Drives | 106 | 100 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 70 | 111 |
| PFF Coverage | 73 | 111 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 52 | 45 |
| Middle 8 | 122 | 41 |
| Seconds per Play | 27.6 (80) | 24.1 (15) |
| Rush Rate | 49% (106) | 48% (100) |
Temple vs. UTSA Picks, Betting Analysis
I'm going to hit the Roadrunners' team total in this Friday night home finale for UTSA.
Temple has been impressive at home this season, winning three games and remaining competitive in another — but its performance has dropped off significantly on the road.
This Temple team is still one of the worst in FBS and has surrendered 108 points combined over its last two games on the road. For the season, the Owls have been outgained by 181 yards per game on the road and have given up 45 points per game away from home.
The UTSA offensive line has been playing better of late and seems to have fixed the protection issues that led to plenty of sacks earlier in the season. The Roadrunners have surrendered five sacks over the last three weeks, but the Temple defense ranks dead last in Defensive Havoc.
For the season, the Owls have recorded just 15 sacks and 36 tackles for loss while consistently lacking an effective pass rush needed to create problems for opposing quarterbacks.
Defensively, UTSA should live in the backfield against a Temple offense that has averaged just 96.6 rushing yards per game and surrendered 29 sacks on the season, including 11 in the last three games.
UTSA ranks 11th nationally in Havoc and has frequently caused issues for opposing quarterbacks, highlighted by back-to-back games in which it recorded seven sacks each.
Temple has a path to scoring in this game, but the offense shouldn't be expected to go on long, methodical drives. If the Owls can't connect on chunk plays, they'll have plenty of quick possessions and punts, putting the defense back out onto the field for long stretches in this game.
I expect UTSA to possess the ball a lot in this one and for Temple’s defensive front to wear down substantially in the second half.
UTSA has surpassed its team total in four straight weeks and has scored 40 or more points three weeks in a row.
The Roadrunners are a proud group, and clinching a bowl berth in front of their home fans has to be their focus. I see value in UTSA eclipsing its team total of 36.5 here.
Pick: UTSA Team Total Over 36.5 (Play to 37.5)
Temple vs. UTSA Start Time, TV Channel, Location, How to Watch
| Location: | Alamodome, San Antonio, TX |
| Date: | Friday, Nov. 22 |
| Kickoff Time: | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ESPN2 |
Temple makes the trip to San Antonio, Texas, on Friday, Nov. 22 to take on UTSA at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Temple vs. UTSA Betting Trends
Temple vs. UTSA Weather
