The Temple Owls take on the Toledo Rockets in Toledo, Ohio. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
Toledo is favored by -5.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -220. The total is set at 50.5 points.
Here’s my Temple vs. Toledo prediction and college football pick for Saturday, September 19, 2026.
Temple vs Toledo Prediction
- Temple vs. Toledo Pick: Toledo -5.5, Under 50.5 Parlay
My Toledo vs. Temple best bet is on the Rockets to cover the spread and the under to hit for a +270 parlay. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page, and make sure to download the Action Network app for more picks and analysis!
Temple vs Toledo Odds
| Temple Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -114 | 50.5 -115o / -105u | +180 |
| Toledo Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -106 | 50.5 -115o / -105u | -220 |
- Temple vs Toledo point spread: Toledo -5.5 (-106 ), Temple +5.5 (-114)
- Temple vs Toledo over/under: 50.5 (-115o / -105u)
- Temple vs Toledo moneyline: Temple +180, Toledo -220
Temple vs Toledo College Football Preview
Temple Owls Betting Preview: Hardly Giving a Hoot
Temple was given a heavy dose of reality last week.
After beating down Rhode Island in Week 1, the Owls had to face Penn State. Credit to Temple, though; it held down the fort for the first half.
The Owls walked out of the first half only down 10-3, including posting a scoreless first quarter. It was actually a sight to see, until Rocco Becht marched down the field in nearly every second-half drive.
Two games in, and you pretty much know what you’re going to be getting into.
This is primarily a run-first team, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Keveun Mason get run into the ground midway through the season. Mason had a star-studded Week 1, where he ran for 158 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
However, they also have a dual threat at quarterback.
From the looks of it, Jaxon Smolik is now the starting quarterback coming into this week after Ajani Sheppard started in Week 1. Smolik, a former Penn State backup, has been unimpressive so far while throwing the ball.
While he’s completing his passes, they’re nothing more than short-yardage plays, finishing Week 2 with only 59 total passing yards. Most of his damage has come from the ground, where he ran for 71 yards against his former team, including a deceptive 47-yard run.
Defense is going to be the problem for the Owls. While Toledo isn’t a world beater on the offensive side of the ball, Temple has shown to be fairly lazy on the defensive end.
Currently, the Owls are 130th in Standard Down PPA, 119th in Success Rate allowed and 120th in explosiveness allowed. They’re even worse against the run, where they’re 128th in rushing Success Rate allowed.
Toledo Rockets Betting Preview: Ready for Lift Off
I may very well be the only person in the world that’s fascinated by Toledo, and that's OK.
There’s something about the way the Rockets run operationally that feels like a professional group. Granted, they’re short of their 10-year head coach, Jason Candle, who left to take the job at UConn.
However, current head coach Mike Jacobs has risen through the coaching ranks, most recently as Mercer's head coach, and seems like he's upholding the standard.
I was unable to watch the 63-10 throttling of Central Connecticut, but came away very impressed with how the Rockets fared against Michigan State in Week 1.
For the past few years, Toledo has developed itself as a defensive back factory, led most recently by Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, who was drafted in the second round by the NFL's Cleveland Browns.
This year has been no different, with safeties Mo Conteh, Armorion Smith and Kaleb Hutchinson.
Toledo ranks first in the FBS in both passing-down and passing play Success Rate allowed and PPA allowed. Additionally, the Rockets are third in standard down success rate allowed and sixth in PPA allowed.
I came away very impressed with Isaac Zay, the sophomore linebacker, who's formed into a tackling machine. Through two games, he’s already posted 19 total tackles, a sack and an interception.
Offensively, I do think there’s still a little left to be desired. Quarterback John Alan Richter is in his first full season as a starter, and he was just fine against Michigan State. He only completed 57% of his passes with two touchdowns and a pick.
Richter found good chemistry with wide receiver Rico Bond, after posting 135 yards on four catches, including an 85-yard touchdown.
However, the main strength for Toledo is on the ground with RBs Connor Walendzak and CJ Miller.
Temple vs Toledo Pick, Betting Analysis
I’m attacking this in two ways.
Given Toledo’s defensive nature and solid offense, I see this game ending in a low-scoring bout.
Temple is brutal on the offensive end. There are serious limitations in the Owls’ passing game, something that Toledo specializes in stopping, allowing the Rockets to hone in on Temple’s rushing attack.
I’m also taking the Rockets to cover the 5.5-point spread here. Our Action Network projections give this game to Toledo, but only by 4.9 points – essentially a coin-flip.
However, on FanDuel, the Rockets are massive favorites on the moneyline.
That's why I’m taking the shot here and putting both Toledo’s spread and the under into a nice +270 parlay.
Pick: Toledo -5.5, Under 50.5 (+270 Parlay, FanDuel)
