Tulsa @ Temple preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 25, 2017 ) Temple 43, Tulsa 22

Temple showed signs of life its last time out and can keep the momentum going Thursday night, when it hosts Tulsa in the American Athletic Conference opener for both teams. The Owls opened their season with a pair of disappointing losses before upsetting Maryland last weekend.

Tulsa, meanwhile, won its first game of the year before dropping the last two, including a home loss to Arkansas State last weekend. The Golden Hurricane fell to the Owls, 43-22, in last season's meeting. Frank Nutile, who threw three touchdowns in that contest, missed Temple's last outing with an undisclosed injury and will be a game-time decision Thursday. If he cannot go, the Owls will once again turn to Anthony Russo, who passed for 228 yards and a score in the 35-14 triumph at Maryland.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Temple -7.5

ABOUT TULSA (1-2, 0-0 AAC): The Golden Hurricane continue to get strong production out of Shamari Brooks, who ran for 5.8 yards per carry with 10 touchdowns a season ago. This season, the sophomore ran for two TDs in his first two games and rushed for 5.5 yards per carry in the third contest, leaving him three yards shy of 1,000 for his career. Luke Skipper has failed to throw for 200 yards in any of the first three games this season and has as many touchdowns as interceptions (seven) through the first 10 games of his collegiate career.

ABOUT TEMPLE (1-2, 0-0): Russo got plenty of help last weekend from Ryquell Armstead, who rushed for 118 yards but still has yet to find the end zone this season. The Owls' defense was outstanding against the Terps, holding Maryland to 195 yards and allowing only two scores - one on an interception return and another on a blocked punt. "I'm really proud of how they started fast, how they didn't let go of the rope and finished strong," said coach Geoff Collins, whose team limited the Terps to 1-of-12 third-down conversions.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Brooks had scored a touchdown in six straight games before last week.

2. Tulsa had 55 passing yards in last year's matchup.

3. Temple has scored a special teams touchdown in each of its three games.

PREDICTION: Temple 37, Tulsa 17