Whether UTSA is a contender in the American Conference might still be subject to debate, and the main thing the Roadrunners have to do is win games in which they are the favorite.
That is the situation UTSA faces when the Roadrunners travel to Philadelphia to visit Temple on Saturday in a battle of 2-2 teams.
As for Temple, this is a game that will help the Owls’ case of becoming bowl-eligible for the first time since 2019.
Both teams should be well rested after each had a bye this past week.
Temple appears to be vastly improved, but the Owls, coming off four consecutive 3-9 seasons, are looking for a prestige win after defeating UMass and Howard.
How to Watch UTSA-Temple
The UTSA at Temple game will be on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. ET and televised on ESPN+.
UTSA-Temple Betting Odds
As of this writing, UTSA is a 6.5-point college football betting favorite via BetMGM. The Over/Under is 56.5.
UTSA-Temple Records
UTSA (2-2, 0-0 American)
Temple (2-2, 0-0)
UTSA-Temple Coaches
UTSA: Jeff Traylor (48-22)
Temple: KC Keeler (2-2 at Temple; overall, 273-114-1)
UTSA-Temple Last Meeting
Nov. 22, 2004, UTSA won 51-27 at home
UTSA-Temple Preview
For UTSA
UTSA lost its first two games of the year to quality opponents, 42-24 at currently unbeaten Texas A&M and 43-36 at home against 3-1 Texas State. The Roadrunners then beat FCS Incarnate Word 48-20 and won 17-16 at Colorado State.
Leading the defensive effort against Colorado State was outside linebacker Nnanna Anyanwu, who recorded three sacks. He has four sacks on the season, tied for the team lead with defensive lineman Kenny Ozowalu. Linebacker Shad Banks Jr. leads the Roadrunners with 31 tackles.
Robert Henry Jr. rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries against Colorado State. Henry has produced six consecutive 100-yard rushing games. This season, he is the FBS leader in rushing yards per game (156). In four games, he has rushed for 692 yards and seven touchdowns. Last year, he rushed for 706 yards and seven scores in 11 games.
Quarterback Owen McCown has completed 62.3% of his passes for 756 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions. Three players have two touchdown receptions each – Henry, Devin McCuin, and AJ Wilson.
The Roadrunners average 31.3 points per game, which is sixth in the American, while allowing 30.3 PPG, which is 11th.
For Temple
After opening with a 42-10 win at UMass and a 55-7 home victory against Howard, Temple has dropped its last two against ranked Power Four opponents, 42-3 at home against Oklahoma and 45-24 at Georgia Tech. In this week’s AP Poll, Oklahoma is No. 5 and Georgia Tech is No. 17.
The Owls average 31 points per game, which is seventh in the American, while allowing 26 (ninth).
Temple quarterback Evan Simon has completed 57.6% of his passes for 624 yards, 10 touchdowns, and no interceptions. He threw six touchdown passes in the opening win over UMass. This is his second season at Temple after beginning his career at Rutgers.
Jay Ducker, who followed Keeler from Sam Houston, has rushed for 315 yards and two touchdowns.
The team’s leading receiver is Jojo Bermudez, who has 15 receptions for 184 yards and two touchdowns.
Safety Avery Powell has a team-high 29 tackles.
UTSA-Temple Prediction
I like UTSA laying the points.
I think the game will hinge on Temple’s ability to stop the run. Looking at it in this lens, I believe this bodes well for UTSA. The Roadrunners, led by Henry, are sixth in the American in rushing, averaging 204.8 yards per game. Temple is 12th in the American in rushing defense, allowing 180 yards per game.
On the other side, Temple is second in the American in passing defense, allowing just 171.5 yards per contest.
UTSA also has a good passing game, and I think McCown is among the top quarterbacks in the American but has yet to hit a high gear this year. Against the three FBS teams he has faced this season, McCown has thrown three touchdown passes and two interceptions.
During last year’s win over Temple, he completed 20 of 27 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown but two interceptions. He also ran for a 75-yard touchdown.
If he gets it going, I believe that should help the potent running game even more.
