Temple Owls vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights Prediction, Pick and Preview, September 4 (9/4): NCAAF

Temple Owls vs Rutgers Scarlet Knights Prediction, Pick and Preview, September 4 (9/4): NCAAF

Credit: photo by Nikos Frazier-USA TODAY Sports

Odds

 

Time 12:00 p.m. EST
Owls money line +500
Owls spread +14.5 (-110)
Scarlet Knights money line -700
Scarlet Knights spread -14.5 (-110)
Over / under 52.5 (-110)

 

Preview

The Temple Owls and Rutgers Scarlet Knights will meet to start the 2021 season. Rutgers has won the last four matchups and leads the all-time series 20-15.

Temple Owls

The Temple Owls had an uninspiring 2020 season. After going 8-5 in 2019, the Owls sruggled and went 1-6 last year, and finished tenth in the AAC. Head coach Rod Carey will be entering his third season after posting a 9-7 records through two years.

2020 starter Anthony Russo transferred to Michigan State, leaving a vacancy behind center. Re-al Mitchell is the only quarterback whose thrown a pass, and the dual-threat qb looks like the favorite to start Thursday. Mitchell threw for 238 passing yards and ran for 114 rushing yards in three games last season.

Redshirt senior Tayvon Ruley will get the bulk of the rushing touches. He led the Owls with 306 rushing yards in 2020. Starting receievers Jadan Blue and Randle Jones both returned to give the Owls some form of experience. Blue nearly recorded 1,000 yards during the 2019 season, and he led the team last year with 41 catches, 381 yards and five scores.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights took a few steps forward last season. Despite the 3-6 finish, it was their highest win total in four seasons, and it equaled their number of wins in 2018 and 2019 combined. Greg Schiano started his second term at Rutgers last season, and it almost included an overtime upset over Michigan. He led the Scarlet Knights to five straight bowl victories during his first stint.

Senior Noah Vedral returns at quarterback after starting in his first season over from Nebraska. He threw for 1,253 passing yards with nine touchdowns to eight interceptions, and added 193 yards on the ground.

Junior running back Isaih Pacheco has been one of Rutgers best players for the past three seasons. After leading the team with 729 rushing yards in 2019, he led them against last year with 515 yards and three scores. The Scarlet Knights are returning their top three pass catchers for last season. Senior Bo Melton led the team with 47 receptions, 638 receiving yards an six touchdowns. Outside receiver Shameen Jones caught 34 passes for 378 yards, while slot wideout Aron Cruickshank caught 37 passes for 239 yards.

Prediction

Rutgers is returning a good portion of last year's squad. . Vedral should be much better this season, after receiving a year to learn the system and adjust. Pacheco and Melton are studs, and Temple might not have enough to keep up. The Owls lost a lot of starters on both sides of the ball, and this isn't the same team from the 8-5 season. Look for Rutgers to kick the season off with a Week 1 victory. Bet on the Scarlet Knights to cover the 14.5 spread, and eye the under.

 

PICK: Rutgers Scarlet Knights (-14.5)

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