Temple 2018 Betting Preview: Owls a Legitimate AAC Dark Horse

Temple 2018 Betting Odds

• To win the National Title: +300000
• To win the AAC: +2300
• To win the AAC East: N/A
• Win Total: 6.5 (over -120, under -110)

Always shop for the best line.

Temple 2018 Schedule, Betting Odds

The Action Network Projected Wins: 7.2

Bet To Watch

Temple to win AAC +2500

There is no doubt that I have built an infatuation with Temple in the still-young Geoff Collins era. The Action Network 2017 Bowl Confidence article caught on to Temple's renewed play after its bye week. After the Owls thrashed FIU in the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl, I just knew Temple would make my final futures cut in some form for 2018.

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I did a small write-up on the AAC conference opening odds. The Westgate in Las Vegas released Temple numbers that held even more value, which I had to get down on.

There is plenty to like about this version of Temple. The defense has adopted the traits of a Collins defense — he was previously at Mississippi State and Florida as the defensive coordinator. In 2017, the Owls defense ranked 21st in adjusted sack rate, 24th in Passing Downs S&P+ and eighth in defensive line Havoc.

I also see enough reasons to fade Central Florida and South Florida in the East division — key player departure and coaching changes among them. The strength of schedule also favors Temple in this division. The Owls avoid Memphis from the East, get to host South Florida and will face Central Florida after a bye week. Home games against Tulsa, Cincinnati and East Carolina round out a cupcake schedule.

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With any future of this magnitude, I always look ahead for potential hedge opportunities. To win the AAC, Temple would most likely need to defeat UCF on Nov. 1 and then Memphis/Houston in the AAC title game. You might have to lay -350 or so, but there will be chances to hedge. Or you can just let it ride on one of my new favorite teams.

What else you need to know about Temple

There is value in Over 6.5 wins. The Owls should be favored by more than a touchdown against Villanova, Tulsa, East Carolina, Cincinnati and UConn. Assuming the Owls win those five games, they'd need to win only two of five coin-flip games against Buffalo, Maryland, Navy, Houston and South Florida. If we get the same defense and play from quarterback Frank Nutile that we saw in the second half of 2017, the Owls should get to seven wins with ease.

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