Central Florida vs. Temple Pick
Will No. 14 Central Florida go on the road and cover a double-digit spread when it takes on Temple today Noon ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Central Florida is the clear favorite in this game, as the Golden Knights are getting odds of -13.5 points against Temple. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 56.5 points. These two have split their last four meetings, both also covering in a win and a loss each. The public is currently putting 51 percent of the wagers on UCF in this game. Today’s game takes place from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and will air live on ESPNU.
Temple is coming off a 35-24 win at Cincinnati last weekend to improve to 5-5 on the season and 3-3 in conference play. The Owls are 5-5 against the spread this season, but the five covers have come over their last six games. Temple hasn’t had much offense this year, averaging just 23.6 points and 380.3 yards per game. Logan Marchi has thrown for 1,658 yards and nine touchdowns this season, but is questionable for this game with a lower body injury. Ryquell Armstead has run for 482 yards and three scores, but he is also questionable to suit up due to an undisclosed injury. Isaiah Wright has caught 36 passes for 541 yards and three touchdowns. On defense, Temple is allowing 26.5 points and 394.9 yards per game.
UCF is coming off a 49-24 win over UConn last week to improve to 9-0 on the season and 6-0 in the AAC. The Golden Knights are 5-3-1 against the spread on the season, but are 0-3-1 ATS in their last four. The Knights have been difficult for opponents to stop on offense, as UFC is averaging 48.6 points and 538 yards per game. McKenzie Milton has thrown for 2,720 yards and 22 touchdowns to lead the offense while Tre’Quan Smith has 40 receptions for 761 yards and 10 touchdowns. Adrian Killins Jr. is leading the ground attack with 599 yards and eight touchdowns. Defensively, UCF is allowing just 20.7 points and 371 yards per game.
These two teams seem to be trending in different directions at the betting window. Temple has been hot, UCF has been not. So, despite the great season the Knights are having, there is reason to believe things could be tough today. The injury questions are concerning, but I feel like the key players on closer to playing than not. Temple should come in with some confidence at home and UCF will continue to play down to its competition.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION: TEMPLE +13.5