Penn State Nittany Lions vs Temple Owls Prediction, 9/12/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Penn State Nittany Lions vs Temple Owls

Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026

Location: Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Owls (+23.5)

Total/Over-Under: 49.5

The Penn State Nittany Lions (1-0) are hitting the road to Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, September 12, 2026 where they will try to defeat the Temple Owls (1-0). Temple opens this game as 23.5-point underdogs. The total comes in at 49.5.

The Penn State Nittany Lions come into this matchup with a record of 1-0 for this year. The last time they took the field, the Nittany Lions played the Marshall Thundering Herd and went home with a win by a final score of 45-0. Once the final whistle blew, they had 72 plays for 487 yds. The Penn State Nittany Lions ran the ball a total of 45 times and accumulated 163 yards, which came out to an average of 3.6 yards per tote. On the ground, the Nittany Lions gave up 44 yds on 26 attempts, which is 1.7 yds per run allowed. Penn State conceded 19 completions on 28 tries for a total of 103 yds, and a completion rate of 67.9%.

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The Nittany Lions have earned 487 total yards for the year. When it comes to scoring touchdowns, Penn State has earned 4 passing touchdowns and 2 rushing touchdowns. They haven't turned the ball over yet. Penn State has earned 25 first downs as a team, and they have been hurt by 4 infractions for 45 yds. As a team they're averaging 163.0 yards in the run game ranking this team at 68th in college football. Regarding scoring points, the Penn State Nittany Lions are averaging 45.0 points per contest.

The Nittany Lions rank 3rd in college football concerning their opponents scoring, giving up 0.0 PPG. The opposition is running for 1.7 yards per rush and 44.0 yards on the ground per game for the season. For the year, they have allowed 44 yards via the ground game in 1 contest. When talking about passing yards, the Nittany Lions have allowed 103 yards which puts them in 23rd in D-1. They have conceded 103.0 yards per outing through the air as well as giving up a completion percentage of 67.9%. During the season, they have allowed 147.0 yards per contest which puts them 13th in the country. They have relinquished no touchdowns via the pass as well as no touchdowns running the ball.

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The Owls come into this game with a record of 1-0 for this season. When they last stepped on the field, the Owls walked away with a victory by a final of 38-14 when they faced the Rhode Island Rams. Temple ended up running for 5.0 yards per attempt, finishing the contest with 227 yards on 45 attempts. The Owls finished the game with 369 yards while running 61 plays (6.0 yards per play). The Owls pass defense conceded a completion percentage of 58.1%, surrendering 195 yds on 18 out of 31 passing. Temple gave up 30 rush attempts for 97 yds (3.2 yards per rush).

The Temple Owls are averaging 369.0 yards per game, which has them sitting 88th in Division 1. The Temple offense has accrued 20 yds of penalties on 3 violations, which has them ranked 123rd in college football in terms of hurting your team. They have an average of 227.0 yards per game via the rush. They have thrown no interception while surrendering 1 fumble and they have tallied 19 first downs. When it comes to the points being put on the board, the Owls are ranking 55th in the country holding an average of 38.0 points per game. For the year thus far, the Owls have racked up 142 passing yards.

Temple has surrendered a total of 97 yards via the ground game and 1 touchdown on the ground this season. They have given up 1 touchdown via the pass and 195.0 yards/contest, which has them sitting 71st in the country. They have compiled 1 fumble and 2 interceptions for the year. The Owls defense has been on the field for 61 plays, which has them sitting 61st in D-1. The Owls are allowing 14.0 PPG, which has them 57th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Nittany Lions/Owls college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Nittany Lions -23.5

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