Game Preview for Temple vs Ohio U
FACTS amp; STATS: Site: Peden Stadium (24,000) -- Athens, Ohio. Television: None. Home Record: Temple 2-2, Ohio 2-2. Away Record: Temple 1-3, Ohio 2-3. Neutral Record: Temple 0-0, Ohio 0-0. Conference Record: Temple 3-2, Ohio 2-3. Series Record: First-ever meeting.
GAME NOTES: The red-hot Temple Owls will try to continue their sensational run when they travel to Athens to take on the Ohio Bobcats in a Mid-American Conference tilt at Peden Stadium. After opening the season with five consecutive losses, the Owls have soared for three straight victories, including a 24-17 win over Miami-Ohio two weeks ago. The Owls are currently 3-2 in the East Division of the MAC, which is good enough for third place. As for the Bobcats, they have won two of their last three contests after losing four consecutive matchups. The most recent win came this past weekend as Ohio bested Bowling Green, 38-27. The Bobcats will close out their regular season with a road game against Akron, followed by a season-finale meeting with Miami-Ohio at home. This will be the first-ever meeting between Temple and Ohio on the gridiron.
The Owls might have won their third consecutive game, but it came at a price, as the team will be without quarterback Adam DiMichele for the rest of the season. DiMichele suffered a broken tibia this Saturday in the win over Miami-Ohio. On the year, the signal-caller completed 61.9 percent of his passes for 1,595 yards and 12 touchdowns. Vaughn Charlton replaced DiMichele in the contest and did a solid job in relief, throwing for 109 yards and one touchdown on 9-of-13 passing. The touchdown went to Bruce Francis, who finished the game with two receptions for 70 yards and one touchdown. Francis has been the main target on the season, as the wideout has grabbed 33 passes for 555 yards and five TDs. As for the ground game, it has struggled for the most part this year, as the team is producing just 103.6 ypg. Jason Harper has been the main threat out of the backfield for Temple, as the RB has rushed for 401 yards and four scores this year.
The biggest problem for Temple this season has been its inability to stop the opponents rushing attack, as teams are currently churning out a whopping 168.2 ypg on the ground. Overall, the Owls have allowed 366.8 total ypg, but that has led to 28.9 ppg. The defense put forth a surprising performance against Miami-Ohio last time out, holding the RedHawks to a meager 52 rushing yards on 27 carries (2.1 ypc). Overall Temple surrendered 370 yards, and also allowed Miami to record 22 first downs, but that led to just 17 points as the Owls captured the seven-point win. The defense forced three turnovers in the win and also recorded both sacks. The Owls have forced 19 turnovers on the year, but pressuring the quarterback has been a problem, as the team has just 15 sacks in eight games.
The Bobcats put together a solid offensive display this past weekend in the win over Bowling Green, collecting 430 total yards, including a whopping 264 yards on the ground. The main threat in the victory was Kalvin McRae, as the running back tallied 200 yards and three scores on 42 totes (4.8 ypc). McRae has been outstanding for the Bobcats this year, rushing for 1,062 yards and 16 touchdowns on 4.8 yards per attempt. Unfortunately, quarterback Theo Scott did not have as much success, completing just 12-of-17 throws for only 166 yards, while throwing for one TD and one interception. Neither Scott, nor fellow QB Brad Bower have had a solid season and both QBs have struggled with turnovers against inconsistent play. Combined the two signal-callers have thrown for 11 touchdowns, while tossing 13 interceptions.
While the Bobcats were victorious this past weekend, the team struggled defensively, allowing BGSU to post 407 total yards in the contest. The defense was gashed for 158 yards on 4.9 ypc, and also surrendered 249 yards via the pass. Stopping the run has been a huge problem for Ohio all year, as the squad is yielding 208.9 ypg on the ground. The defense has been able to make big plays though, as the defense has record 19 turnovers, while collecting 20 sacks. The Bobcats have had some trouble inside the 20-yard line, as teams have converted 84 percent of their red zone opportunities. Kris Luchsinger continues to shine this season for the Bobcats and comes into this matchup with nine TFLs and five sacks.
The Owls have improved as the season has progressed, but the team will definitely have trouble stopping the Bobcats' ground game which is being led by McRae.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Ohio 34, Temple 21
Game Preview for Akron vs Bowling Green
FACTS amp; STATS: Site: Doyt L. Perry Stadium (23,529) -- Bowling Green, Ohio. Television: ESPNU. Home Record: Akron 1-1, BGSU 2-1. Away Record: Akron 1-4, BGSU 2-3. Neutral Record: Akron 1-0, BGSU 0-0. Conference Record: Akron 2-2, BGSU 2-2. Series Record: Bowling Green leads, 8-7.
GAME NOTES: Two teams trying to get back on track will collide this Friday evening at Doyt. L Perry Stadium, as the Bowling Green Falcons host the Akron Zips in a Mid-American Conference showdown. The Zips have struggled over the past month, losing three of their last four games, including two in a row. This past weekend Akron found itself on the wrong end of a 26-10 verdict against Buffalo. Since the beginning of last season the Zips have been atrocious on the road, posting a terrible 2-10 ledger. As for the Falcons, they have also dropped three of their last four contests, including a rough 38-27 setback to Ohio this past weekend. BGSU has done a solid job against conference opponents since the 2004-05 season, posting a 16-12 record. The Falcons have a slim 8-7 edge in the all-time series against Akron, however the Zips have won the last two encounters, including a 35-28 win over BGSU this past season.
The Zips have been horrible offensively on the season, as the team is producing a meager 293.4 total ypg. The team's struggles continued this past weekend as the Zips were held to just 10 points in a road loss to Buffalo. Akron only compiled 327 total yards of offense, including a mere 185 yards via the pass. Chris Jacquemain continues to have problems under center, as the quarterback completed only 19-of-37 passes for 185 yards and two interceptions. Jacquemain has completed 58 percent of his passes on the season, but in eight games the signal-caller has just 1,100 yards and eight scores against six INTs. Unfortunately the rushing attack has been just as woeful, as the squad is posting a mere 112.6 ypg on the ground. The top back for Akron has been Bryan Williams, who has 439 rushing yards on 95 carries (4.6 ypc). In the loss to Buffalo, Williams was once again the main threat out of the backfield, rushing for 87 yards on 21 totes, but the lone touchdown came from fellow back Alex Allen, who posted 41 yards on 12 attempts.
There has been one major issue for Akron's defensive unit and that has been the team's inability to stop the run, as the unit is being abused for 185.1 ypg. Overall Akron is surrendering 383.6 total ypg and that has led to 28.4 ppg allowed. In the loss to Buffalo, the defensive unit did its job, holding the Bulls to just 280 total yards. Akron yielded 155 rushing yards, but on a whopping 51 carries. Unfortunately the unit did not force a turnover in the contest, but finished the game with three sacks. Akron has done a mediocre job in both areas this season, as the team has forced 17 miscues, while collecting 16 sacks. Where this unit has struggled this season is inside its own 20-yard line, as opponents are converting on 86 percent of their red zone chances.
The Falcons are without question a one-dimensional offense, as the team accumulates most of its yardage via the pass. BGSU steps into this matchup averaging 300.0 ypg through the air, while churning out a meager 101.4 ypg on the ground. In the recent setback to Ohio, the Falcons continued to use their passing attack, unfortunately the air show was not enough to get BGSU past Ohio. Tyler Sheehan did struggle a bit in the loss, completing just 19-of-41 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns. The signal-caller also tossed one interception and was sacked twice. Despite the less than impressive outing, Sheehan has done a solid job under center for BGSU, completing 62.3 percent of his attempts for 2,152 yards and 15 scores against 10 INTs. His main target has been Freddie Barnes, who leads the team with 52 receptions, 593 yards and six scores. Barnes continued his sensational year this past weekend when he hauled in eight passes for 89 yards and one score. The ground game however, has been a completely different story as the unit is virtually nonexistent this year. Willie Geter, who rushed for 90 yards in the loss to Ohio, currently leads the Falcons with just 380 rushing yards overall.
Ugly is the best way to describe the play of the Falcons defensively. After eight games, BGSU is being abused for 427.8 total ypg, which has led to a whopping 34.4 ppg. The biggest issue for this unit has come against the run, as the team is being gashed for 215.9 ypg. Those problems against the run continued this past weekend, as BGSU was embarrassed for 264 yards and three scores on the ground. Overall the unit surrendered 430 total yards, and forced just one turnover in the contest, while collecting just one sack. Surprisingly the team has performed well in both areas, forcing 18 turnovers on the season, while grabbing 16 sacks. Unfortunately, the defense has not had the same success on third downs, as opponents are converting 46 percent of their attempts. John Haneline has been one of the few bright spots for this unit, as the linebacker has collected 91 tackles to go along with five TFLs and one sack.
Bowling Green has struggled defensively this season, but this weekend the unit should have a strong showing as the Zips come into this matchup with no identity offensively. Expect a hard fought game, but BGSU should continue its success against league opponents.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Bowling Green 31, Akron 17
Nevada (4-4) at New Mexico State (4-5)
DATE & TIME: Friday, November 2nd, 8:00 p.m. (et).
FACTS & STATS: Site: Aggie Memorial Stadium (30,343) -- Las Cruces, New Mexico. Television: ESPN2. Home Record: Nevada 3-1, NMSU 4-0. Away Record: Nevada 1-3, NMSU 0-5. Neutral Record: Nevada 0-0, NMSU 0-0. Conference Record: Nevada 2-2, NMSU 1-3. Series Record: Nevada leads, 9-1.
GAME NOTES: The Western Athletic Conference takes center stage once again on Friday night as the New Mexico State Aggies play host to the Nevada Wolf Pack in Las Cruces. Last weekend the Aggies, who have had a rough season to say the least, lost for the third time in the last four games in a demoralizing 50-13 outing against nationally-ranked Hawaii on the road. The setback left NMSU winless on the road in five tries so far in 2007, with only a date at San Jose State still remaining on the out-of-town itinerary. In the team's last three losses it has been outscored by a combined 130-34. As for the Wolf Pack, winners of two straight, they evened their WAC record at 2-2 and their overall mark at 4-4 on Saturday afternoon when they topped Idaho at home in Reno, 37-21. Like the Aggies, Nevada has played well at home (3-1) but not so on the road (1-3). The Pack has won all but one of the previous 10 meetings with New Mexico State, and even that defeat was a close call at 48-45 in Reno back in 1998. Since then Nevada has rattled off three consecutive triumphs, including a 48-21 decision last season at home.
Luke Lippincott shouldered the load for the Wolf Pack coming out of the backfield last Saturday, posting 119 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries for the visitors over Idaho. Not to be forgotten was Colin Kaepernick who converted 15-of-26 passes for 203 yards and a score as well for a Nevada offense that compensated for a mere 3-of-12 effort on third down by converting all four attempts on fourth down in Reno. While he wasn't exactly an unknown commodity coming into the 2007 season, Lippincott has burst onto the scene for the Pack and is now second in the conference and 20th in the nation with an average of 113.9 ypg. Averaging almost six yards per attempt, the running back has also registered 10 of the unit's 16 TDs on the ground, with three more going to Kaepernick. The signal-caller already has 10 touchdown passes and just a single interception now that's he's assumed the starting role in place of an injured Nick Graziano. Out of nowhere Nevada is ranked second in the conference and eighth in the nation in total offense with 491 ypg.
The Wolf Pack went up by 17 points against Idaho and never looked back, aided by an interception return of 11 yards for a touchdown by Ezra Butler in the first quarter. Butler and his teammates locked up one of the most productive rushers in the WAC, limiting Deonte Jackson to just 45 yards on 17 attempts. Butler finished the outing with just six tackles, yet he was still a strong selection for the WAC's Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. Third on the team at the moment despite missing two games, Butler (43 stops) leads the defense in both interceptions and fumble recoveries with two each. Patrolling the middle has certainly given Butler some added visibility, but unless he and his teammates can get a stronger push up the field it may not matter. The team is last in the conference and 114th in the nation in run defense, giving up 222 ypg, which plays heavily into the group placing 108th in scoring defense with 36.5 ppg allowed. However, ranking first in the WAC and 16th in the nation in pass defense (183.9 ypg) is something the group can be proud of.
What was supposed to be a high-flying offensive explosion on the Aloha Stadium turf last Saturday night turned into a lackluster effort by New Mexico State as the visitors posted just one touchdown. Chase Holbrook went head-to-head with cult favorite Colt Brennan and converted 37-of-52 pass attempts for 328 yards and a touchdown, but he was sacked three times and intercepted twice, none of which was returned for a touchdown late in the contest. In defense of Holbrook, he was without one of the nation's top receivers in Chris Williams who is now lost for the season with an injury. If last week was any indication, the Aggies are not going to be able to match up with the best passing offenses in the nation now, even though the team is still ranked second in the country with 322.2 ypg. Even with that sort of monstrous production, the Aggies are still fifth in the WAC and 79th in the country in scoring with just 24.1 ppg. Throwing for more than 4,600 yards and 34 touchdowns last season, Holbrook had one of his worst games against Nevada, producing just 217 yards and a single TD pass, marking the only time in 2006 that a defense was able to hold the gunslinger to less than two TDs.
While some teams have forced Hawaii to fight its way to victories this season, none has figured out a way to completely take Brennan out of the equation which was again true for the NMSU defense. Sure, the Aggies limited the Warriors to just 67 yards rushing, but as everyone knows Hawaii doesn't focus much on keeping the ball on the ground other than giving the offensive line a change from the monotony. The Aggies were touched for 425 passing yards and a total of six touchdowns, even as the unit spent a mere 21 minutes on the field. Davon House recorded a team-best six tackles and had a rare interception of Brennan. One would think that practicing week after week against Holbrook and the NMSU offense would give the pass defense for the Aggies some insight into at least trying to stop opponents, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Through nine games New Mexico State is last in the WAC and 106th in the country in pass defense, giving up a hefty 273 ypg. That sort of weak effort has meant that the unit is permitting scoring opportunities at an alarming rate, resulting in 35 ppg (tied for 105th in the nation this week).
Something will have to give in this game, whether it be Nevada's staunch pass defense or NMSU's penchant for putting the ball in the air early and often. Considering how inconsistent Holbrook has been in 2007, the Pack's secondary has to be favored in that matchup.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Nevada 31, New Mexico State 20
What bettors need to know: Temple at Ohio
Covers.com
Quarterback change
Temple will start sophomore quarterback Vaughn Charlton on Friday after starter Adam DiMichele broke his leg in the Owls’ 24-17 win over the Redhawks on Oct. 20. DiMichele completed all four of his pass attempts and scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak to give Temple a 14-7 lead before leaving the game.
“I heard [the bone] snap before I even hit the ground,” DiMichele told Owlscoop.com. “It kind of felt like everything was happening in slow motion for me. I could see the bone. It didn't break through the skin, but I could see it under my skin. I felt the numbness going down my leg, and I knew my season was over right away. I was feeling pain I'd never felt before.”
DiMichele completed 62 percent of his passes for more than 1,500 yards with 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season. Backup Charlton has played in three games this season, completing 11 of 17 pass attempts for 126 yards and a touchdown. Charlton also passed for 109 yards and a touchdown while replacing DiMichele against Miami.
“We're very fortunate in our quarterback situation,” Temple coach Al Golden told the Philadelphia Courier-Post. “In their intellect and their ability to run the offense, we're fortunate.”
Soaring Owls
The Owls opened the season with five straight losses but have since posted three straight wins. It marks the first time the Owls have won three straight conference games in more than 40 seasons. It is the first time in more than 15 seasons that Temple has won three consecutive games.
“I think it's a tremendous win for our program, and I thought the kids fought hard,” Temple coach Al Golden told reporters.
Temple has been an underdog in its last three outings and is a 7 ½-point road underdog again on Friday against the Redhawks. The Owls haven’t won four straight since beating East Carolina, Cincinnati, Rutgers and William & Mary in 1985.
Running wild
Bobcats running back Kalvin McRae leads college football with 16 touchdowns and more than 1,000 rushing yards this season. Last Saturday, McRae ran for more than 200 yards with three touchdowns in a 38-27 victory over Bowling Green.
McRae also became the first Ohio running back to eclipse the 1,000-yard plateau in three consecutive seasons. The senior has also became the Owls’ all-time leading rusher.
“I think it's fitting that he breaks the record and holds it,” Ohio coach Frank Solich told reporters. “He's had so many special runs here while he's been at Ohio. He's been such a team guy that everybody involved in the program appreciates what he's been about.”
Bobcats get busy
The Bobcats’ toughest stretch of the season, which started last Saturday against Bowling Green, continues Friday against Temple and finishes Wednesday with a showdown against Akron.
That’s three conference contests in just 12 days.
“That’s a challenge. We always love challenges,” Solich told the Athens Messenger. “And we’re ready to take this one on, but we’ve got to be smart about and we’ve got to have guys stay healthy.”
It’s possible that the Bobcats are looking past Friday’s matchup against the Owls at next Wednesday’s showdown with the Zips.
Ohio head coach Solich doesn’t think that will be a problem.
“I think we’re in good shape, in terms of conditioning, to be able to do this if we’re smart in how we practice and don’t get guys hurt,” Solich told reporters. “You can’t start preparing too far down the road, but we have less time to even prepare for these guys.”
Temple isn't a shock to the oddsmakers
Owls put together a miserable 1-22 record over the 2005 and 2006 seasons. But over that span, they were not dogs against the spread.
November 2, 2007
As one of college football's worst programs, Temple put together a miserable 1-22 record over the 2005 and 2006 seasons. But over that span, the Owls were not dogs against the spread, sporting a respectable 10-12-1 record.
That's why oddsmakers are not surprised to see Temple finally turn things around this season under second-year Coach Al Golden. The Owls (3-5) have won three games in a row and travel to face Ohio University (4-5) in a key Mid-American Conference game tonight.
With the Bobcats listed as 7 1/2 -point home favorites, Temple has attracted solid support this week in picking up 48% of the bets against the spread, according to Sportsbook.com's betting trend.
The Owls are 6-2 against the spread this season and 6-1 against the spread in their last seven games as underdogs.
But before bettors get too excited about Temple, they should know that the Owls will be without starting quarterback Adam DiMichele, who suffered a season-ending injury two weeks ago in a 24-17 victory over Miami (Ohio).
Sophomore Vaughn Charlton, who completed nine of 13 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown after DiMichele was injured, will make his first start for Temple, which will be looking to win four games in a row for the first time since 1985.
Ohio University, the defending MAC East Division champion, is 5-1 against the spread in its last six home games and 9-1 against the spread in its last 10 games played on grass.
www.latimes.com
Nevada at New Mexico State
By Brian Edwards
VegasInsider.com
Seriously, there’s just no way to write a lead that’s going to get gamblers fired up for this scrub game. The only good thing to say about it is…at least we can bet on it.
New Mexico State (4-5 straight up, 2-3-1 against the spread) will play host to Nevada tonight at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2.
Most sports books are listing Nevada (4-4 straight up, 3-4 against the spread) as a 6 1/2-point favorite with the total in the 67-68 range. Bettors can back the Aggies on the money line for a plus 220 payout (risk $100 to win $220).
The Wolf Pack has won back-to-back games, but they failed to cover the number in both spots. Chris Ault’s team is off a 37-21 home win over Idaho as a 17 ½-point favorite.
Luke Lippincott was the catalyst for Nevada, rushing for 119 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Colin Kaepernick continued to his stellar play, throwing for 203 yards with one TD and zero interceptions.
Kaepernick, a redshirt freshman, has an outstanding 10/1 touchdown-interception ratio. He is second in the WAC in passing efficiency and has produced more than 1,300 yards of total offense in the last four games.
Lippincott has gone over 100 yards rushing in three consecutive games. He is third in the WAC and 19th nationally in rushing yards per game (113.9). Lippincott has scored 11 touchdowns with 10 of those coming on the ground.
Nevada’s run defense was ranked last in the nation before the unit stymied Idaho last week, improving to 114th. Those numbers will likely improve after facing Hal Mumme’s pass-happy offense.
New Mexico St. is in bounce-back mode following last week’s 50-13 loss at Hawaii. The Aggies failed to cover the spread as 30 ½-point underdogs.
QB Chase Holbrook threw for 328 yards and one touchdown, but he was also picked off twice. It has been a frustrating season for Holbrook, who had an outstanding 34/9 touchdown-interception ratio last year. However, injuries have hampered Holbrook in 2007, as he has an 18/13 TD-INT ratio.
The injury situation didn’t get any better last week. Holbrook took a shot to the head and then left the game in the fourth quarter at Hawaii. Making matters worse, his favorite target, junior wide receiver Chris Williams, missed his first game with a broken collarbone.
Williams was in the midst of another incredible year with 56 receptions for 772 yards and 11 TDs. He is “out” this week, while Holbrook is “probable.”
The trip to Hawaii last week makes this spot more formidable for the Aggies, who didn’t get back to Las Cruces until Sunday night. They had Monday off and watched film Tuesday.
But New Mexico St. does have the advantage in being at home. In fact, the Aggies are undefeated in four home games this year, posting a 1-0-1 spread record. As for the Wolpack, it is 1-3 SU and 2-2 ATS on the road.
Nevada is vying for a third consecutive trip to a bowl game. On the other hand, it appears New Mexico St. will have to wait another year to make the postseason. The Aggies haven’t tasted a bowl bid since 1960.
Nevada has won nine of 10 head-to-head meetings against New Mexico St. The Wolf Pack has won those nine games by an average of 23 points per game.
"Nevada has dominated the series with the results seeming to repeat themselves," VI handicapper Dan Berube said. "The score has landed on 45-24 three different times. The winner has mostly won by double digits and the winner has finished with 48 points in three of the last four matchups."
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
--Nevada is eighth in the nation in total offense with an average of 491 yards per game.
--Since 2000, New Mexico St. has a 12-6 ATS record as a home underdog.
--There are two other games on tonight’s card. Bowling Green is playing host to Akron as a seven-point ‘chalk,’ and Ohio is taking on Temple as a 7 ½-point home favorite.
--Arkansas senior WR Marcus Monk finally got into the mix for the Razorbacks last week. Monk, who had missed the entire season except for one snap against Auburn due to a knee injury, had two receptions for 19 yards in last week’s 58-10 win over FIU. Monk caught a 13-yard scoring strike from Nathan Emert.
--Stat of the Week: Florida is 0-13-1 ATS in its last 14 SEC games when favored by 13 ½ or more.
--Texas A&M has a 4-8 spread record in 12 games as a double-digit underdog under lame-duck coach Dennis Franchione. The Aggies are 21-point ‘dogs Saturday at Oklahoma.
--The ‘under’ has cashed in five straight games for Texas A&M.
--Wisconsin owns a 5-2-1 ATS record as a double-digit ‘dog dating back to 1997. The Badgers are 15-point underdogs at top-ranked Ohio St.
Coaches on the Hot Seat:
1-Bill Callahan (Nebraska)
2-Dennis Franchione (Texas A&M)
3-Bill Doba (Washington St.)
4-Houston Nutt (Arkansas)
5-Phillip Fulmer (Tennessee)