By Harry Allison
The Temple Owls took it on the chin last Saturday, losing to Villanova, so this weekend’s game is vital:
Buffalo Bulls (1-0) at Temple Owls (0-1)
College Football: Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 3:30 pm (Lincoln Financial Field)
The Line: Temple Owls -5
TV: ESPN3
Temple has lost four of its last five home games.
Frank Nutile is completing 56.3 percent of his passes for 185 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Nutile has at least one touchdown pass in each of his last seven games.
Branden Mack and Ventell Bryant have combined for 134 receiving yards on 12 receptions while Isaiah Wright has three receptions.
The ground game is averaging 46 yards per contest, and Ryquell Armstead leads the way with 31 yards on 14 carries. Defensively, Temple is allowing 31 points and 405 yards per game. Shaun Bradley leads the Temple Owls with 10 tackles, Quincy Roche has one sack and Sam Franklin has one interception.
Buffalo is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 games in September, 4-1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games and 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games overall. The Owls are 4-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record, 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Bulls are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 meetings.
The Buffalo Bulls looked good in their debut, but you don’t get many brownie points for beating up on Delaware State.
The Owls struggled against Villanova for the second straight year and this time took the loss.
The good news is this a nice bounce back spot for the Owls, as Buffalo struggles on the road and that Owls physical running game is better than what it just showed.
Temple is also 11-5 ATS in the last 16 games when a favorite of at least three points.
TEMPLE BY A TOUCHDOWN, MAYBE MORE!
