Welcome to weeknight football! How else would you rather spend your Thursday night than by cheering on the Tulsa Golden Hurricane as they host the Temple Owls? First of all, it’s more readily accessible than the NFL game. Secondly, it should be more entertaining than the mundane product put forth by the NFC North.
That is not simply an attempt to gin up intrigue. With Tulsa’s rushing attack, it should be reality, and that is plenty enough reason to back the Golden Hurricane in the college football odds this week.
Here are our free college football picks and predictions for Temple vs. Tulsa on September 28.
Temple vs Tulsa best odds
Temple vs Tulsa picks and predictions
The Golden Hurricane’s rushing attack is not particularly strong, but it is depended upon. Tulsa rushes the ball more often, when considering expected rushing attempts amid general game state, than any non-service academy in the country.
A cynic could view that as an indictment of sophomore quarterback Cardell Williams, but he is averaging 9.2 yards per pass attempt and completing 58.5% of his passes. Five interceptions in four games spark obvious worry, but Williams is not an impotent passer.
Tulsa rushes the ball so much because that is head coach Kevin Wilson’s pride and joy. He was an offensive lineman at North Carolina in the early 1980s, and he has spent nearly four decades coaching offensive lines with a six-year sojourn as Indiana’s head coach.
The Golden Hurricane have four running backs rotating carries, led by a pair of seniors each averaging more than four yards per rush despite Tulsa having faced a pair of Top 15 teams already.
That kind of rushing focus should succeed against Temple. The Owls' run defense hardly exists, ranking 121st in yards allowed per game on the ground (217).
With three veteran offensive linemen, a deep running backs room and a coach intent on rushing the ball, Tulsa will find success against Temple. And with a spread as short as a field goal, the home team should cover with ease.
My best bet: Tulsa -3 (-110 at Caesars)
Picks made at time of writing may not reflect live odds.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Temple vs Tulsa same-game parlay
Tulsa -2.5
Anthony Watkins anytime TD
Under 55.5
No part of this same-game parlay should be a surprise after reading those best bet thoughts.
Of Tulsa’s two lead backs, Jordan Ford has seen his carries decrease each week, from 19 in the season opener against FCS opponent Arkansas Pine-Bluff to just six carries this past weekend at Northern Illinois. Meanwhile, Anthony Watkins’ rush attempts have climbed each week, from nine in the season opener to 23 last weekend, notching his first touchdown of the season.
If that shift continues, adding Watkins to this bet makes far too much sense, especially against a rush defense that allows a successful carry nearly half the time, ranking in the Bottom 15 in the country.
For this conversation, assume Temple simply does not have an offense. That is the short version of a pile of laughs at the Owls’ expense. A rushing attack against a non-existent attack (106th in total offense, 127th in points per game) should be a ripe recipe for an Under on a short week.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Temple vs Tulsa spread and Over/Under analysis
The Hurricanes began the week as five-point favorites, a number knocked down to -3.5 on Monday and -3 on Tuesday. Instinct says the market did not feel any team in the bottom half of the AAC should be favored by more than three unless it is playing Charlotte.
The total opened at 55 points, toggling between 55.5 and 56 before settling at 55.5 on Tuesday. On a short week, any lofty total should be doubted. Not that 55.5 is all that lofty, but it is lofty enough for this contest.
Temple vs Tulsa betting trend to know
Temple is 0-3 against the spread this season when facing FBS opponents, falling short of bookmakers’ expectations by an average of 13.2 points. Find more college football betting trends for Temple vs Tulsa.
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Temple vs Tulsa game info
| Location: | Chapman Stadium, Tulsa, OK |
| Date: | Thursday, September 28, 2023 |
| Kickoff: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
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