Docs Website

53 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu
NCAA Football Mid-Major Betting Report: Temple Owls Week 8

by - 10/21/2015

Temple Owls Football

The eighth edition of the NCAA Football Mid-Major Betting Report is here. This is the fourth year Doc's Sports has done this article. The goal of this weekly piece is to attempt to show that specialization is a profitable betting strategy. For the mid-major betting report, we follow one team throughout the season and make selections on their games on a weekly basis. Temple was picked this year because of the intrigue surrounding the conference as well as their ability to have a breakout season. I knew Temple had the potential to have a special season, but it's been even better than I expected so far this year. The Owls are a perfect 6-0 on the year, and they are now in the Top 25 and starting to get some notoriety in the national media.

In the first three years of the mid-major betting report, we had some great results. In those three years combined, the selections went 18-12 and the profit for $100 per game bettors was $1,590. Last year's report was a whole different story. We followed the Akron Zips last season, and I simply couldn't get a good read on that team. The result was a 3-8 season with a loss of $1,180.

I'll follow Temple Owls beat writers and listen to the team's press conferences for interesting tidbits. I'll also look for important information about the team on Twitter from a variety of sources. There will be a selection at the end of each article on the game. We'll be using the Doc's Sports Unit Betting System for every pick, which will allow readers to follow along and track the results.

Last Game

Temple was tested more than expected by the UCF Knights last week. UCF isn't a good team, but they are a little better than their record would indicate (they are 0-7). The Knights showed some pride throughout the game and actually led Temple 16-14 entering the fourth quarter.

Temple outscored UCF 16-0 in the fourth quarter to win 30-16. The Owls got a career-high 199 rushing yards from Jahad Thomas to lead them to the win. Temple had 364 total yards in the game. UCF had only 134 total yards of offense.

UCF was able to put up their points thanks to Temple's turnover problems in this game. The Owls lost three fumbles and threw one interception. UCF's Justin Holman was a miserable 10 for 31 passing with zero touchdowns and one interception.

Last week's selection was a small 1-Unit play on 'under' 44. That was probably the right side, but as it turned out the turnovers led directly to UCF's only scoring and pushed this game 'over' the posted total. Temple became bowl eligible with the win, and this was the team's first 6-0 start since 1974.

Notes of Interest

-Mike Kern, columnist for the Philadelphia Daily News, wrote about the national recognition for Temple's football program. Temple is back in the national rankings for the first time since 1979. Head Coach Matt Rhule is making sure his team realizes that they aren't even close to done yet. Rhule said he told the team, "Hey great job" in the first half of the season, but he said he is wiping the slate clean in his mind and it's all about how you finish. As much as the team has played well, their head coach is holding them to a high standard. Rhule said, "I think we can play a lot better."

-Temple currently holds the top spot in the AAC East, but they are only one game up on East Carolina, who they must travel to play this Thursday night. This is a really ironic setup, because last year Temple beat East Carolina when the Pirates were ranked in the Top 25 after upsetting Virginia Tech. That game was Temple's first win over a Top 25 opponent since 1998. Things have totally flipped around to where East Carolina has a chance to upend the ranked Temple Owls red-hot run this year.

-Temple won last year's game against East Carolina 20-10, but that was a very odd game. East Carolina dominated every part of the box score except the turnover margin, and that is what cost them the game. Temple had only 135 total yards of offense. East Carolina turned the ball over five times in a driving rainstorm, and Temple took advantage of those turnovers to win.

Betting Trends

-Temple is 9-4 against the spread in their last 13 road games.

-East Carolina is 2-9 ATS in their last 11 conference games.

-Temple is 5-2 ATS in their last seven conference games.

-The "over" is 5-1 in East Carolina's last six games.

Temple vs. East Carolina College Football Odds

East Carolina opened as a two-point home favorite in this one, but the line has moved up to East Carolina -3. The posted total opened at 54 points, but that one has been bet down to a current level of 53.

Temple vs. East Carolina College Football Picks

This is a really intriguing game. East Carolina would love nothing more than to beat Temple and spoil their perfect season, in the same fashion that Temple upset them when they were ranked last year. Temple has the better defense. East Carolina has the better offense. With a team like Temple, I think a total this high has too much value to not play the under. East Carolina's offense isn't quite as prolific without Shane Carden this year. I'll take the under for 2 units here. Additionally, I'm going to take East Carolina -3 for a unit. I like this Temple team, but they looked vulnerable at Cincinnati and at UMass. This is a huge game for East Carolina, and I think the line is very telling in that an unranked team is favored by a field goal over a ranked team.

Pick #307- 2-Unit-Play on Temple/East Carolina under 53

Pick #308- 1-Unit-Play on East Carolina -3

Season Results- 4 Wins 3 Losses (+$260)

Got free picks? Doc's does. And for new clients we would like to offer you $60 in free member's college football picks from Doc's Sports Advisory Board of college football handicapping experts. Click here to sign up today. We never require a credit card for this offer, and you will never have to deal with a salesman. Also, get three handicappers for the price of one when you sign up for a full-season football package! Click Here for details.

Read more articles by

Most Recent College Football Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers