The Oklahoma Sooners take on the Temple Owls in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Oklahoma is favored by 22.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -1800. The total is set at 51.5 points.
Here’s my Oklahoma vs. Temple prediction and college football picks for Saturday, September 13.
Oklahoma vs Temple Prediction
- Oklahoma vs. Temple Pick: Temple +24 Or Better
My Temple vs. Oklahoma best bet is on the Owls to cover. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Oklahoma vs Temple Odds
| Oklahoma Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-22.5 -108 | 51.5 -112o / -108u | -1800 |
| Temple Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+22.5 -112 | 51.5 -112o / -108u | +1000 |
- Oklahoma vs Temple point spread: Oklahoma -22.5 (-108), Temple +22.5 (-112)
- Oklahoma vs Temple over/under: 51.5 (-112o / -108u)
- Oklahoma vs Temple moneyline: Oklahoma -1800, Temple +1000
Oklahoma vs Temple Pick, Betting Analysis
This is likely the best (and most obvious) situational spot on the board.
Following a marquee win over Michigan, Oklahoma will head to the city of brotherly love for a Noon kick in a likely muted atmosphere against a significantly inferior opponent, with a highly anticipated matchup with Auburn on deck in Jackson Arnold's return to Norman.
It wouldn't surprise me if the Sooners come out extremely lethargic in this clear sandwich spot.
I do believe the market has mainly accounted for the surface spot, but there could be a few other factors working in Temple's favor.
Oklahoma's game against Auburn marks the first of eight SEC matchups against currently ranked teams. That's a gauntlet.
So, what does that mean? Well, I imagine you don't want to show anything more than you need to, but, more importantly, you are going to need as much health as possible to get through that brutal slate with as many healthy starters as possible to stay in the discussion for the College Football Playoff.
So, what does that mean for this game? Well, I'm assuming you don't want to run John Mateer as frequently. Oklahoma also may pull its starters a bit earlier than usual with a big lead. And if they do, they may go to third-string quarterback Whitt Newbauer (a Mercer transfer) instead of Michael Hawkins, who head coach Brett Venables said he doesn't want to use for a few series here or there to preserve his redshirt.
Additionally, I would assume Oklahoma wants to work on its standard running game, which remains a work in progress with the Sooner running backs averaging just 2.83 yards per attempt through two games.
From a Temple standpoint, the Owls look vastly improved under new head coach K.C. Keeler, whom I personally love as a head coach. He's undoubtedly a massive upgrade over the previous two head coaches in North Philly.
Quarterback Evan Simon has looked great through two starts (77% completion percentage with nine touchdowns to no picks). Now, that could purely speak to the level of competition (UMass and Howard), but the Owls did at least take care of business in a convincing fashion.
I assume the Owls will grind this one down with a heavy dose of running back Jay Ducker and a short passing attack to shorten the game. That would be a welcome approach for a large home pup catching over three touchdowns.
Lastly, this is a significant game for the Temple program to build some momentum with a respectable showing, which is why Keeler has made a few extra media appearances this week. Many of the Owls players who were embarrassed in last year's 51-3 loss in Norman (after losing the turnover battle 6-0) have also spoken at length about having this one circled. They should come out with a max effort.
Maybe Oklahoma comes out focused and keeps its foot on the gas longer than I anticipate, while using Mateer's legs optimally. And maybe Temple really isn't that improved after just beating up on two terrible teams.
I'll pay to find out.
I'd look to bet Temple live if the line doesn't come back up to 24.
Pick: Temple +24 Or Better
