Temple vs. Penn State Prediction
Can Penn State bounce back from last week’s loss when the Nittany Lions host Temple today at Noon ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Penn State is the favorite in this game. The Nittany Lions are being given odds of -8.5 points against Temple. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 52 points. Penn State has won nine of the last 10 against Temple, though the Owls picked up a 27-10 win last year. Temple has covered the spread in four of its last six against Penn State.
After beating Kent State at home, 33-13, in the opener, Penn State lost at Pitt last week 42-39. The Nittany Lions did cover the 3.5-point spread on the road. Penn State fell behind early and rallied to make it a game thanks to the play of Trace McSorley, who threw for 332 yards and a touchdown. Saquon Barkley added four rushing touchdowns in the loss. The surprise about Penn State is it has given up an average of 245.5 yards per game on the ground to opponents.
Temple opened the year with a 13-28 loss to Army at home and then beat Stoney Brook last week 38-0. The Owls are typically a strong team on defense, and they are giving up just 238.5 yards per game thus far, but those are against two pretty weak offensive teams. On offense, the Owls are struggling, posting just 276 yards per game. Quarterback Phillip Walker has thrown for three touchdowns and 292 yards, but has four interceptions.
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Penn State found something on offense this week behind the combo of McSorley and Barkley. They will look to build on that this week against Temple. While the Owls will create some problems for the Nittany Lions, Penn State should have no trouble stopping that offense. With the spread less than 10, we think it is worth jumping all over Penn State. Temple isn’t likely to put up many points.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 3 PREDICTION: PENN STATE -8.5