USF Football: Game preview and prediction vs. Temple

Temple was the only American Athletic Conference team to take down USF football last year. Can the defending champs repeat the feat on Thursday night?

Last season, USF finished with the best record in the American Athletic Conference. But, due to their head-to-head loss against Temple in October, the Owls played Navy for the league crown instead of the Bulls.

In that contest, Temple ran roughshod on the Bulls defense. Ryquell Armstead ran for 210 yards and two touchdowns, as the Owls finished with 319 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Temple’s defense clamped down on Quinton Flowers as well, allowing the quarterback to throw for only 187 yards and two scores while rushing for 90 yards and another touchdown.

While both Armstead and Flowers are back, there are some key pieces missing from last season’s showdown. Most notable is the fact that both teams have new head coaches. Matt Rhule left Temple for the Baylor job, while Willie Taggart headed west to take over at Oregon. The teams also lost some offensive cogs. Temple’s Phillip Walker graduated at quarterback, while USF tailback Marlon Mack is now with the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL.

Last year this game decided who won the AAC East. It could have the same impact this season, as the two division rivals square off once again.

Here’s how to watch Thursday’s game between Temple and USF:

Date: Thursday, Sept. 21
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Tampa, Florida
Venue: Raymond James Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

Which team will manage to cut down on penalties? Temple and USF have each seen a large number of yellow flags so far this season, costing both teams valuable yardage and momentum. Temple is ranked 80th in the country with seven penalties per game. Compared to the Bulls, they have shown great discipline. In the win over Illinois last week, South Florida took 16 penalties for 155 yards.

Whichever team can cut back on those mental errors will have the upper hand. For USF, they will also need Quinton Flowers to have a huge game against the Owls. Last year, he was decent but hardly dominant in defeat. If South Florida is going to remain undefeated after this Friday-night feature, they will need their quarterback to step up and take charge of the game. If he can get in a groove, the score could quickly get out of hand in this revenge game.

For Temple, it comes down to two things. First, the defense needs to shut down Flowers. But, more importantly, it will need Armstead to blow up again on the ground. South Florida has one of the most dangerous ballhawking secondaries in the country, and new Temple quarterback Logan Marchi will not be able to beat the Bulls with his arm alone.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of Sportsbook Review

Point Spread: South Florida -20.5
Over/Under: 58.5

Prediction

In the battle between new head coaches, former Louisville and Texas leader Charlie Strong will get the better of neophyte head man Geoff Collins. South Florida’s secondary is going to get at least two more interceptions on the season.

Flowers probably won’t put up numbers big enough to reinsert himself in the Heisman race. But the veteran will rush for over 100 yards against the Owls and throw for around 250, with five total touchdowns. D’Ernest Johnson will also top the 100-yard mark as USF finds it much easier to run on the Temple defense this season.

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Temple will actually get the first points of the game, but the Bulls will take a 28-17 lead into the locker room at halftime. In the second half, USF’s defense will disrupt any hopes of a comeback for the Owls. Look for USF to score 24 unanswered points before Temple kicks a garbage-time field goal. It will be small consolation as South Florida easily covers the spread and takes charge in the American Athletic Conference race on Friday night.

Final Score: USF 52, Temple 20