Toll Free: 1-888-759-2665Backup: 1-888-740-1958 

Thursday Night College Football: Temple Owls vs USF Bulls

The fourth week of college football starts with an AAC game between Temple and South Florida. Keep reading to get your free pick and prediction.

Find the best college football betting odds right here at Skybook. Read NCAA Football matchups and register now to enjoy the most exciting sports betting action on the web.

H2 NCAA Football Picks, Predictions, Odds and More

H3 Temple Owls vs USF Bulls

When: September 21, 2017, 7:30 PM ET

Where: Raymond James Stadium

Spread: USF -19

Over/Under: 63

Moneyline: USF -1150 vs Temple +800

Temple Owls Betting

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish wiped the floor with the Owls with an embarrassing loss on the season-opener.

Temple however bounced back with two consecutive wins.

Now, they face their biggest challenge of the season against USF.

Last year, the Owls defeated the Bulls 46-30, so their hoping they have the same success in this game.

Temple’s passing game will be key for a victory; the Owls are averaging 262.3 yards per game, which places them at the 48th spot in the league this year.

Though they’ve been fairly successful in moving the chains, they have problems in scoring and average 20.3 points per game, which is 112th in the country.

The defense also needs to step up its game if they’re to have a successful campaign this season.

The defense currently allows 27.7 points per game, which is 83rd in the nation.

Heading into this match, they’ll need to figure out how to rattle South Florida quarterback Quinton Flowers’ cage.

Flowers is the Bulls’ main threat and can do a lot of damage both through the ground and the air.

The Owls defense must get off the field fast and, especially, not allow opponents to convert on third down opportunities.

Opponents are converting 45.2 percent of their third-down conversion attempts against Temple.

Though Temple has won their two last games, they didn’t impress and, in fact, seemed to struggle in what should have been easy pickings.

This is concerning because they now face on of the best offenses in the country.

That they’re also adjusting to the new leadership under head coach Geoff Collins also makes me think whether this squad is too green around the edges.

Temple Betting Trends

  • Temple is 12-4 ATS in its last 16 games
  • Temple is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
  • Temple is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games

South Florida Analysis

The Bulls successfully continue this year’s campaign with one of the best offenses in the country.

USF is off to a 3-0 start, scoring at least 31 points in all three games this season, beating their opponents rather easily.

In his first year as head coach, Charlie Strong is hoping to improve on last year’s result (11-2), and hopefully make it to the College Football Playoffs.

However, for this to happen a lot of the top teams would have to lose a couple of games before season’s end.

As mentioned above, the Bulls head into this game with a big chip on their shoulder after last year’s 46-30 loss.

The Bulls won their last game over the Illinois Fighting Illini. Even if they committed all sorts of mistakes, they nevertheless won the  game by 24 points.

Strong has likely addressed these issues and will push his players to avoid falling behind and having to scramble back for a win.

Though Temple’s passing attack is much better than the Bulls’, they’re much better on the ground, averaging 241 yards per game, which is 60th in the country.

Quarterback Quinton Flowers got off to a slow start this season, but he’s since picked up his slack so I expect him to be up to his usual ways in this game.

Last week against Illinois, Flowers passed for 280 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 106 yards and another touchdown. Expect a big game from Flowers.

The Bulls’ main strength has been their ground attack that has cut through opponent’s defenses rather easily.

USF is averaging 281.3 rushing yards per game, which is the 13th best in the country.

They’ve also been able to control the clock and I expect them to dominate again this week.

USF has averaged 40 points per game this season, while their defense is holding opponents to 20.7 points per game.

Though South Florida didn’t play well in their first two games, they bounced back against Illinois and this momentum should carry them into conference play.

Flowers will have to remain consistent from now on for thing to work, but the Bulls will also need the contribution from running back Darius Trice to eat up time from the clock.

Temple gave up 422 rushing yards to Notre Dame in Week 1, including 106 to Brandon Wimbush and 161 to Josh Adams, which means that the running attack should work against the Owls.

USF Betting Trends

  • South Florida is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
  • South Florida is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 12 of South Florida's last 17 games

Expert Predictions:

ATS Pick: Take USF against the spread at -19

Straight Up Pick: USF

Over/Under Pick: This won’t be a high scoring game, take the UNDER.

Temple is going through growing pains and isn’t playing as they were last year. USF is off to a hot start so expect the Bulls to dominate this one and get an easy win.