The Temple Owls still have a lot of hurdles they have to leap over if they're going to win the AAC and head to a New Year's Six bowl game. However, the last of their tremendous challenges on the road will come on Thursday night against the East Carolina Pirates, making this one of the most important games in this conference thus far this year.
WHEN THE TEMPLE OWLS HAVE THE BALL
The Temple Owls are old school for sure. They want to line up and pound the rock with their best player, junior tailback Jahad Thomas. Thomas ran the ball 31 times last week against UCF because he had to, and he was no worse for wear because of it. The end result was 199 yards, three touchdown and one broken spirit for the Knights.
That's what the Owls have been so darn good at all season long. They've averaged just 13.2 points per game in the first half and 20.5 points per game in the second half, and all of that is due to the fact that they just continue to commit to the run, and teams can't figure out how to stop them.
The East Carolina defense is allowing 8.9 points per game in the fourth as well, so live bettors know there will be an opportunity for the Owls to make some headway in the final stanza if the need is there to do so.
WHEN THE EAST CAROLINA PIRATES HAVE THE BALL
East Carolina is going to try to get out of the blocks in a hurry, so it's all about down and distance. If the Pirates get a first down relatively quickly on a drive, they're generally off and running.
Blake Kemp has already thrown the ball 216 times this season, and there are five different players who have found the end zone at least three times.
The big issue we see with the Pirates is that they tend to get away from the run because it isn't consistent. Blake Kemp isn't good moving around, so unless James Summers comes in under center, the Pirates are rather one-dimensional with Chris Hairston running it.
Hairston has big play ability, but he's averaging just 4.1 yards per carry this year, which isn't good enough for a home run hitter out of the backfield on a team which relies so heavily upon staying on schedule.
TREND TO TRACK
When you think East Carolina football, you think about high-scoring games and wild offensive shootouts. However, Temple has had this knack for playing games on its terms this year. Only twice has the team allowed more than 16 points, and it feels like every game is played at a knockdown, drag out pace instead of a track meet.
Yes, two straight games have gone past the total for Temple, but it's not like it was the defense's fault in either instance. Prior to that, the Owls had played five of their previous six under the number, and in a game with a total which could be inflated just a bit due to the presence of East Carolina, live bettors would be wise to keep one eye on the under at all times.
The college football odds for this game were available first at BookMaker Sportsbook at the East Carolina Pirates -2.5. Gamble on the game at every commercial with BookMaker's live betting feature. Along with an adjusted spread and total, you can wager on what will happen on the next drive. Live betting is the most exciting way to play!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker's new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting every. Click here, and start wagering today! Kick off for the game between the Temple Owls and the East Carolina Pirates is scheduled for Thursday, October 22, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. ET at Dowdy Ficklen Stadium. The duel can be seen live on ESPN2.
