Cardinals vs Owls NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
Too bad we are not talking hoops where this matchup would have been greatly anticipated. The Owls are back in the Big East but with a team a notch below the one that competed hard in the MAC the last couple of seasons.
Temple Owls (3-4) vs #10 Louisville Cardinals (8-0)
Saturday November 3
Papa John’s Stadium – Louisville, KY
12:00PM
Moneyline: Louisville -800, Temple +550
Spread: Louisville -16
O/U: 51
Temple
Still Temple is 2-2 in conference and looking to spoil Louisville’s perfect season. It is not going to be an easy task as the Owls got roughed up by a Pitt squad that is currently below them in the conference standings.
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In some ways the fact that Temple is 3-4 is astounding given they have one of the least productive offenses in the nation. Their running game featuring transfer Montel Harris and Matt Brown can be effective but their passing game generates next to nothing. Starting QB Chris Coyer has yet to break 1000 yards on the season but at least he doesn’t turn the ball over and can create plays with his running ability – he is second on the team.
This is another one of those situations where you have a big number vs a team that is not high scoring. It wouldn’t shock me if this one finished 17-3 for Louisville but 24 or 28-3 also seem possible and those would be easy covers. I don’t think you can play the Temple side though. Being one dimensional against a good defense is tough sledding. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Louisville
Until they lose the Louisville Cardinals are going to be part of the great debate. They are undefeated but just how good is this team? The last couple of weeks they have been cutting it close winning by a combined 5 points and most of their victories have been pretty tight hence the 3-5 ATS record. The Cardinals may lose but I don’t think the Owls are going to be able to break the glass slipper.
I am not sure there is a player out there who has improved more from his frosh to sophomore seasons than QB Teddy Bridgewater. He is refusing to make mistakes while completing 70% of his passes. He is backed by a decent enough ground game, which kind of summarizes the Louisville team. They are not great but they are decent enough to win – every weekend. As long as they are not looking ahead that should continue.
The Cardinals are not going to be worth of playing for the BCS title but I actually do think they will finish the season undefeated. Temple competes hard so this week won’t be easy but in the end they won’t have enough offensive wiggle to win the game or keep it tight. They will probably cover the spread in the process but I will be looking to other spots on the board for value this weekend.
Spread Pick: Louisville -16
O/U Pick: Under
Score Prediction: Louisville 24 – Temple 7
