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The SMU Mustangs (4-2, 2-0 American Athletic) and Temple Owls (2-5, 0-3) meet Friday at Lincoln Financial Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the SMU vs. Temple odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Southern Methodist heads into this game off back-to-back wins. The most recent of those was a cover as a -12 favorite at East Carolina Oct. 12 (31-10 win). The Mustangs have allowed just 311.3 total yards per game; that leads the AAC and ranks 19th in the nation.
The Owls have lost 4 straight and defense has been a problem in each of those setbacks. Temple has coughed up 45.8 points per game over that stretch. All 4 games were losses against the spread (ATS).
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SMU at Temple odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7:01 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: SMU -1600 (bet $1,600 to win $100) | Temple +900 (bet $100 to win $900)
- Against the spread (ATS): SMU -21 (-110) | Temple +21 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 54.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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SMU at Temple picks and predictions
Prediction
SMU 35, Temple 17
Moneyline
AVOID; this play is drowning in juice, and the lottery ticket side (Temple) does not bring enough return for the risk.
Against the spread
Temple’s offense struggles to stay on schedule and avoid 3rd-and-long. And it lacks big-play ability. The opposite holds true for the Owl defense. And yes, that’s a toxic combination.
SMU can run adequately and is quite good in the aerial game. And its defense is better still in both areas.
The spread reflects all that and perhaps a couple points more. But Temple is a bottom-15, maybe even a bottom-5 team in FBS. The Owls are not worth an account login: PASS.
Over/Under
The Under has cashed in 9 of SMU’s last 11 games on the road.
Rain showers are in the Philly forecast, so that may slow the roll for the Mustangs passing attack. A little weather, a couple less explosive plays and SMU relying more on staying on schedule down to down is a reasonable projection.
The UNDER 54.5 (-110) has a bit of value in this contest.
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