Two of the country’s top scoring defenses are set to face off at FBC Mortgage Stadium on Thursday, as the University of Central Florida Knights (4-1, 1-0 AAC) host the Temple University Owls (2-3, 0-1 AAC). The Knights are 23-point favorites, and the total is 46. Temple is coming off a one-sided 24-3 loss to Memphis at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on October 1. E.J. Warner threw for 245 yards and three interceptions. Jakari Norwood ran four times for 18 yards. Jose Barbon caught five passes for 134 yards. UCF won for the third straight game last Wednesday, beating SMU 41-19 at FBC Mortgage Stadium. John Rhys Plumlee was 20 of 29 for 324 yards and two touchdowns. RJ Harvey carried seven times for 69 yards. Javon Baker hauled in six receptions for 138 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Knights won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 49-7 victory in October, their fifth straight win against Temple. Mikey Keene threw five touchdowns for UCF, as Alec Holler scored twice.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Owls are averaging 15.0 points per game for the season, 126th in FBS, and they are facing a Knights defense that has surrendered 14.6 PPG (12th). Meanwhile, UCF has scored 35.6 points a game this season, 30th in the nation, and Temple is allowing 16.8 PPG (20th).The Owls rank as one of the country’s worst teams in rushing yards per game (83.8, 126th), while they are 109th in passing yards (199.0). The Knights are 46th in passing yards allowed per game (208.4) and 66th against the run (140.0).UCF has been one of the nation’s top rushing teams, averaging 252.6 yards per game (4th), while ranking 82nd in passing yards (230.2). The Owls are allowing 149.0 passing yards (3rd) and 131.2 rushing yards per game (49th).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through four games, E.J. Warner has thrown for five touchdowns (6 INT) and 201.5 yards per game to lead Temple in passing. Darvon Hubbard leads the team in rushing with an average of 31.3 yards a game over four games. He has one touchdown on the ground and one through the air. Jose Barbon is the Owls’ leading receiver with 63.4 yards a game. John Rhys Plumlee has seven passing touchdowns (3 INT) with 228.6 yards per game through five games to lead UCF. In four home games this season, he has thrown for six TDs (2 INT) and an average of 201.0 yards. John Rhys Plumlee also leads the team in rushing with an average of 86.2 yards per game. He has four touchdowns on the ground. Javon Baker has been a key target in the Knights’ aerial attack. He has two touchdowns and a 79.0 yard per game average through five appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
UCF (-3000)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
