2009 EagleBank Bowl Temple vs. UCLA Picks & Predictions

Last Updated on December 29, 2009 12:00 pm by drew

EagleBank Bowl Pick

Temple looks to end an 11-game bowl losing streak for the Mid-American Conference when it faces UCLA Tuesday at 4:30PM ET in the 2009 EagleBank Bowl from RFK Stadium.

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Temple is 9-3 this season and 8-3 against the spread. The Owls were on a nine-game winning streak before losing their season finale to

Ohio, 35-17.

Temple has covered in two of its last three games.

UCLA is 6-6 on the year and 6-6 against the spread. The Bruins won three of their last four games to become bowl eligible and have covered in two of their last three.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made UCLA 4.5-point favorites over

Temple on Tuesday night. The over/under total for this game has been established at 45.5.

Temple is scoring 30.3 points per-game in the MAC thanks to a solid rushing attack. Bernard Pierce has rushed for 1,308 yards and 15 touchdowns this year to lead the Owls. On defense, UCLA is holding opponents to just 21.3 points per-game and 338 yards per-game.

UCLA is scoring only 21.3 points per-game and the Bruins have been a pass-heavy team, as their passing yards nearly double their rushing total. Kevin Prince has thrown for 1,829 yards in 10 games and has six touchdown passes, but also has seven interceptions. Prince is banged up, but likely to play. The Owls are holding teams to 21.7 points per-game, but have struggled against the pass, as they allow 226.8 yards per-game through the air.

This game will likely come down to sheer talent and depth. There is a reason the MAC has lost 11-straight bowl games and it is because the talent level of that conference just can’t compete with the talent in bigger conference, especially the Pac-10. Though UCLA has not done well on offense this year, it should be able to move the ball on the Owls and the Bruins defense should have more speed than

Temple has seen all year. Trends may say otherwise, but the fact that the MAC has lost 11-straight bowl games, and most have been to mediocre teams, tells us to go with UCLA and the under for this game.

Our EagleBank Bowl Free Pick for this matchup is: UCLA -4.5 and UNDER 45.5
College Football Bowl Season Betting Trends
UCLA is 2-12 ATS (-11.2 Units) in road games after a bye week since 1992.

TEMPLE is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.

TEMPLE is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.

TEMPLE is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.

TEMPLE is 14-4 ATS (+9.6 Units) in games played on a grass field over the last 3 seasons.

UCLA is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games

UCLA is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games

Temple is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games

Temple is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games

Bowl Season College Football Injury Report
UCLA

[QB] 12/14/2009 – Kevin Prince probable vs.

Temple in the Eagle Bank Bowl. ( Shoulder ) 

[OG] 12/28/2009 – Ryan Taylor is upgraded to probable Tuesday vs.

Temple ( Foot ) 

[TE] 12/20/2009 – Nate Chandler doubtful vs.

Temple in the Eagle Bank Bowl. ( Quad ) 

[OG] 12/24/2009 – Eddie Williams expected to miss Tuesday vs.

Temple ( Ankle ) 

[C] 12/24/2009 – Kai Maiava expected to miss Tuesday vs.

Temple ( Academics ) 

[LB] 12/25/2009 – Reggie Carter probable Tuesday vs.

Temple ( Knee ) 

[DB] 12/25/2009 – Marlon Pollard expected to miss Tuesday vs.

Temple ( Facial ) 

[OL] 12/28/2009 – Stan Hasiak expected to miss Tuesday vs.

Temple ( Disciplinary ) 

TEMPLE

[OL] 10/16/2009 – Derek Dennis out for season ( Knee ) 

[RB] 12/07/2009 – Bernard Pierce is upgraded to probable for the Eagle Bank Bowl. ( Shoulder ) 
EagleBank Bowl Odds
Temple Owls +4.5 Over 45.5 (+170)

UCLA Bruins -4.5 Under 45.5 (-200)
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Posted: 12/29/09 12:00PM ET