Toledo Rockets vs. Temple Owls Betting Odds - Point Spread Pick

Toledo Rockets vs. Temple Owls Betting Odds - Point Spread Pick

David Schwab
Date: December 22, 7:00 pm
Location: FAU Stadium

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Temple -1.5
Total: 50.5

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The Rockets had a tremendous 9-1 run through their first 10 games both straight-up and against the spread including a 6-1 mark (SU and ATS) in conference play, but they could not get past Western Michigan in a season-ending 35-30 loss as seven-point home favorites. The loss cost Toledo a shot at playing for the MAC title, but bettors cashed-in big on the Rockets this year. The total stayed UNDER in eight of its 11 games this year.
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Defense was the Rockets biggest strength and they come into this bowl game ranked 21st in the nation in points allowed (21.1). Offensively, they averaged a solid 34.7 points a game behind a balanced attack that racked-up an average of 463.3 yards a game. Quarterback Phillip Ely threw for 2,680 yards and 21 touchdowns, while running back Kareem Hunt got it done on the ground with 894 yards rushing and 10 TD's.
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Temple made a run into the national rankings this season with a SU 7-0 start while going 5-2 ATS. While it did suffer a few setbacks down the stretch including a tough 24-13 loss to Houston as a 4.5-point underdog in the AAC Championship, it still had a very successful 10-3 run SU with a 9-4 record ATS. The total stayed UNDER in eight of the 13 games including the Owls' last three outings.
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This is another team that was fueled by a shutdown defense. Temple allowed an average of just 19.2 points a game, which was ranked 16th in the nation. While the Owls were torched for 44 points in a stunning loss to South Florida on Nov. 14 after giving-up 40 points in a wild 20-point win over SMU the week before, they were able to find their form at the end of the season. Temple also had a productive ground game this season behind running back Jahad Thomas. He rushed for 1,257 yards and 17 touchdowns while averaging 4.7 yards a carry. Quarterback PJ Walker added 2,737 yards and 19 touchdowns through the air with a completion rate of 57 percent.
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Toledo Rockets vs. Temple Owls Game Betting Trends
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The Rockets are 5-2-1 ATS in their last eight games against a team with a SU winning record and 3-0-1 ATS in their last four nonconference games. The total has stayed UNDER in eight of their last 11 games.
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The Owls are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games against a team with a SU winning record and they are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games following a SU loss. The total has stayed UNDER in their last four games outside the conference.
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Head-to-head in this matchup, these two teams last met in 2011 and Toledo has a 5-1 edge both SU and ATS in the last six games. The total has stayed UNDER in three of the last four games.
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Toledo Rockets vs. Temple Owls Prediction

This should be a good battle between two teams that are somewhat familiar with one another. I like a play on the UNDER 50.5 in this game, but my "best bet" pick is to lay the point and a half and go with the Owls as the better overall team.

Free Pick: Take the Temple Owls -1.5 (DS)
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