AAC: Temple-UCF
Time: 5 PM ET
Spread: UCF -7
M/L: UCF -290; TEM +240
Total: 47
Betting odds courtesy of Bookmaker
UCF started its season predictably sad. The Knights dropped its first two games against tough teams, Penn State and then- No.20 Missouri. Following that, UCF reeled off four straight wins going into this week’s matchup against Temple.
The Knights are a perfect 2-0 in conference games, and with college odds set at 7-points in favor of UCF, it’s possible the team improves its perfect conference record this week.
The Knights haven’t been good offensively, and that’s largely due to losing two of the best performers in school history, Blake Bortles and Storm Johnson, both of whom were drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars. QB Justin Holman has been relatively decent, but nothing compared to Bortles yet. He’s thrown for nearly 1,100 yards with a 55.8 percent completion ratio. He’s also thrown nine TDs to six INTs, and his primary passing target Breshad Perriman has been pretty solid in limited carries. Despite just 17 attempts, he has 398 yards including 68-yard TD catch. His 23.4 yard per reception average indicates Perriman is ready for an increased role.
William Stanback has been solid as a RB, but he’s averaging only 3.3 yards per carry, while accounting for three of UCF’s rushing TDs. He’s also caught six passes for 36 yards, two of the receptions which were good for TDs. Stanback is the Knights best hope to contend for a conference title.
Temple has handled matters, winning by an average of over 16 points per game, despite a lackluster offense. The Owls are 64th in the nation in passing yardage and 98th in rushing, getting just 135.7 yards per game on the ground. Prior to last week’s 31-10 loss to Houston, the Owls had reeled off three straight victories. QB P.J. Walker has been good, with 1,358 yards on the season and a 58 percent completion ratio. His 7.3 yards per reception could improve, but he has kept his INTs down with just seven, while managing 10 TDs.
RB Jahad Thomas has done most of the work in the backfield, and he’s been very effective. Thomas averages 6.7 yards per carry on 46 attempts, but he has scored none of the Owls eight TDs. QB Walker has managed three TDs, but is good for just 3.2 yards per carry. For the Owls to win this game, it is going to have to rely on great backfield play, set up by the receiving threat of Jalen Fitzpatrick, who has five TDs on the year and 417 total yards on 26 receptions.
