Army vs Temple (Week 5): Odds, Predictions & How to Watch

Army vs Temple (Week 5): Odds, Predictions & How to Watch

The Temple Owls, fresh off their first win of the season, will host the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field for a Week 5 showdown. This exciting matchup will take place at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN, where Army is a heavy favorite, coming off a dominant win against Rice. With both teams heading into this game with different narratives, let’s dive deep into the odds, betting spreads, injury reports, and game analysis to help you make an informed decision.

How to Watch Army vs Temple

  • Game Date: Thursday, Week 5
  • Kickoff Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: ESPN
  • Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA

Army and Temple will square off in prime time, giving fans across the country a chance to watch these teams battle under the lights. Be sure to tune in on ESPN to catch all the action as Army looks to continue their dominance and Temple aims to prove they can hang with the Black Knights.

Betting Odds and Line Breakdown

  • Spread: Army -13.5
  • Moneyline: Temple +405, Army -550
  • Total Points (Over/Under): 46

The current odds have Army as a 13.5-point road favorite, while Temple comes in as a +405 underdog. The over/under is set at 46, giving us an implied score of around 30-16 in favor of Army. Let’s break down what these betting terms mean:

Betting Spread

The spread is essentially a way to balance the odds for bettors. In this case, Army is favored by 13.5 points. For a bet on Army to win, they would need to win the game by at least 14 points. Conversely, if you bet on Temple, they would need to either win the game or lose by fewer than 13.5 points for your bet to pay out. The reason for this high spread lies in Army’s dominant play style, especially with their low-tempo, run-heavy offense, which still manages to grind down opposing teams.

Moneyline

The moneyline is simply a bet on who will win the game. Army is the favorite, meaning you’d need to bet $550 to win $100, while Temple is the underdog at +405, meaning a $100 bet on the Owls would net you $405 if they pull off the upset. While a Temple win seems unlikely based on their recent performance, the large payout could tempt risk-takers.

Total Points (Over/Under)

The total is set at 46 points, which combines both teams’ expected scores. You can bet on whether you think the total number of points scored by both teams will be over or under that number. Given Army’s slow pace and Temple’s struggling offense, many might lean toward betting the under in this matchup.

Implied Score and Game Analysis

With a 13.5-point spread and an over/under of 46, the implied score is roughly Army 30, Temple 16. This reflects the gap between the two programs, as Army has been more efficient in both their offensive and defensive efforts. Temple, on the other hand, has shown flashes of potential, particularly with quarterback Evan Simon throwing five touchdowns and zero interceptions in their last game. However, Temple’s -10 turnover margin and a 131st-ranked rushing EPA per play make it difficult to trust them to cover the spread.

Army, led by their methodical, triple-option offense, has been extremely efficient, ranking 6th nationally in stop rate and consistently dominating the line of scrimmage. They’ve only allowed six tackles for loss all season, showcasing their superior offensive line play. This contrasts with Temple’s defensive struggles, ranking 108th in defensive success rate allowed.

Injury Report

  • Temple: Quarterback Evan Simon has been a bright spot for Temple, but the team has faced inconsistency at the quarterback position, with Forest Brock not performing as well. Temple’s offensive line has also struggled, allowing more pressure than ideal.
  • Army: The Black Knights have no significant injuries reported, which is a testament to their disciplined, physical play.

In-Depth Game Analysis

Army comes into this matchup as the far more disciplined and efficient team. The Black Knights are ranked 6th in stop rate and 37th in EPA per rush, meaning their defense excels at getting teams off the field and limiting explosive plays. On offense, they maintain a steady, deliberate pace, ranking dead last in tempo, but their methodical approach wears down opposing defenses.

Temple’s defense, meanwhile, has struggled to contain both the run and the pass, ranking 130th in EPA per rush. Against Army’s triple-option attack, which features heavy doses of running plays, Temple could find themselves outmatched. The Owls’ offense has shown improvement, especially with Simon at quarterback, but their inability to run the ball effectively (131st in rushing EPA per play) makes them one-dimensional.

Army’s ability to mix in timely, explosive passing plays (31st in EPA per dropback) gives them the edge. While Army’s offensive game plan is run-heavy, their rare passing attempts have been highly effective, and against Temple’s 81st-ranked pass defense, there is potential for big plays down the field. Look for Army to establish the run early, forcing Temple to stack the box, and then hit them with a deep pass or two to break the game open.

Betting Pick and Final Prediction

With Army’s disciplined, efficient style and Temple’s struggles on both sides of the ball, this game looks heavily tilted toward the Black Knights. Army’s ability to control the clock and wear down defenses should allow them to cover the 13.5-point spread, even though they play at a slow pace. The short week also plays into Army’s favor, as Temple might struggle to recover from their recent win and prepare adequately for Army’s unique offensive attack.

Prediction: Army 30, Temple 13

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