2017 GASPARILLA BOWL – TEMPLE vs FIU
TEMPLE -7 FIU (56)
MEGALOCKS LINE – Temple -6
Sagarin ratings – Temple -7
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: Temple 31.5 FIU 24.5
The Game
Who doesn’t love Gasparilla ?
Temple squeaked into bowl season with a 6-6 record and really improved down the stretch under QB Frank Nutile. The Panthers were a virtual JUGGERNAUT under HC Butch Davis and bagged 8 wins for the first time since 2011. The program is definitely on the upswing and they would love to record a win over an AAC foe. Let’s goooooooooo !
The Match-Up
Temple offense vs FIU defense
QB Frank Nutile has quickly become a MEGALOCKS favorite. Nutlile took over the starting gig late in the season and threw for 200+ yards in all five of his starts. The 11-7 TD to INT ratio may not look great but he had some trouble vs UCF. The Owls struggled running the ball this season (#99 FBS) but do have a VERY underrated WR group. The top three WRs each average 14+ yards per reception and Nutile should be able to MATRICULATE effectively in the passing game if the OL can keep his jersey clean. The Panthers were pretty average on defense this season to put things nicely and finished up the 2017 campaign ranked #78. They were decent defending the pass (#32 FBS pass efficiency defense) but are going to have their hands full vs the Temple passing offense.
FIU offense vs Temple defense
17th year senior QB Alex McGough completed 65% of his passes with a 17-8 TD to INT ratio during the 2017 campaign. The Panthers really struggled to move the ball on the ground (#100 FBS) despite the best efforts of RB Alex Gardner (765) and will need to MATRICULATE down the field in the passing game to have a shot in this game. Star WR Thomas Owens was suspended minutes before the FAU game (a 90,000 STAR MEGALOCKS I HATE YOU MEGALOCKS YOU HACK I WAS TOO LAZY TO BET YOUR FUTURES PLAYS I NEED MY MOMMY I WET MY PANTS A LOT AND BREAST FEED MAX UNIT NICKEL CLUB BOMB loser) and will not be going in this game. We worry about the ability of FIU to make explosive plays on offense and are not sure that the defense will be able to bridge the gap. Temple’s defense was down a notch this year (#64 FBS) but they can still get to the QB (#23 sacks per game FBS) and are not facing a potent offense.
Motivation / Intangibles
Temple – The Owls have momentum. They have also not tasted bowl victory since the epic 2011 New Mexico Bowl when they dusted Wyoming 37-15. This is HC Geoff Collins’ first bowl game as HC.
Grade – Average.
FIU – It can’t hurt to have Butch Davis as HC. He has been through a lot of battles and has an impressive 5-2 record in bowl games. They get to play the infamous “everyone thinks we suck” card.
Grade – Above Average.
MEGA BOWL BITES
These two teams have never played each other…..Not surprising but had to put something in this section, yo.
Summary
Our gut tells us that Temple wins this game. Will they cover the spread ? Eeesh. It’s hard to say because they do not have the defense of seasons past. FIU has the coaching edge and the underdog role. Hmmmmmm.
Conclusion
Official play: None
Best play on the game. Gun to the head ? FIU +7
Dude, are you laying down any small potatoes on this game ? No