Temple at Connecticut – Preview and Prediction
TEMPLE 10 UCONN (46)
MEGALOCKS LINE – Temple -10 Sagarin ratings – Temple -12
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: Temple 28 UConn 18
Massey Ratings Projected Score: Temple 24 UConn 13
The Game
The Temple train is rolling right along. After winning three AAC games in a row, including one over USF, the Owls are sitting pretty atop the East Division. Win out, and they go to the AAC Title Game for the second straight season. After starting the season 1-2, the Owls can now boast a 6-3 record with three very winnable games left on the docket. The Huskies certainly expected more out of this season and are really in a funk right now with a record of 3-6.
The Match-Up
Temple offense vs UConn defense
Statistically, the Owls are nothing flashy, but they have managed to score 26+ in every game since the Army DEBACLE of September 2nd. The running game is really starting to click and 11th year senior QB PJ Walker looks determined to lead this team to another shot at the AAC Title. The past six games Temple has scored 48,45,27,26,46,34. On the flipside, the Huskies defense has been very disappointing. The past three games they have allowed a lot of yards (529,400,430) and points (42,24,41). The Owls are too red hot for us to think that they will be unable to score 28+.
UConn offense vs Temple defense
As hot as the Owls have been, the Huskies have been ice cold. They have only scored 19 points in the past two games, and overall, have not scored more than 27 points all season long. The recipe of smashmouth football can work as long as your defense and running game hold up their end of the bargain. That has not been the case this season. The lone bright spot on offense has been WR Noel Thomas who has inexplicably managed to have a 1,000 yard season with three games left on the docket. Of course, nobody else has more than 251 yards receiving, and there are no RBs explosive enough to make DCs worry. UConn is going to have their work cut out for them against a defense that seems to be improving as the season goes along.
MEGA MORSELS
Temple has won the last two meetings by scores of 27-3 and 36-10….The last time the Huskies covered the number was on Oct 8th….The last time the Owls did NOT cover the number was on SEPT 2ND.…Let that sink in, yo.
Summary
Crazy things happen in night games at UConn. Spoooooky. On paper, this looks like a romp for the Owls but history has not been kind to us when we fade UConn in night home games. Keep in mind, the Huskies have not lost by 10+ at home all season. In fact, the Huskies did NOT lose by more than 10 points at home last season either. Amaze your cheating ex-girlfriend with that factoid.
Conclusion
Official play: None.
Lean: UConn TT under 17 or better.