The Tulane Green Wave (6-3) travel to Philadelphia, PA this Saturday to take on the Temple Owls (6-3) at Lincoln Financial Field. The game is set for an 11:00 am CT kickoff and will air on ESPNU.
Tulane is fresh off of a bye week coming into the matchup, while Temple is coming off a 17-7 victory over the USF Bulls. Most sources pin the Green Wave as a 5 point favorite against the Owls, and per ESPN’s FPI Matchup Predictor, Tulane boasts a 64.6% chance of victory.
TEAM COMPARISONS
Both Tulane and Temple come in with records of 6-3, with both teams touting an American Conference record of 3-2. In terms of points per game, Tulane is averaging 10 points more than Temple, with the Green Wave offense is accounting for 36.4 ppg to Temple’s 24.4. Defensively, the two programs are identical in points allowed per game at 25.4. Tulane’s offensive advantages are also evident in the team’s yards per game. The Green Wave are averaging just under 500 yards per contests at 474 yards a game. Temple, on the other hand, is just shy of the 400 yard mark. The Owl’s are accounting for 393 yards per contest, giving the Wave the edge on offense. Through the air, Temple holds a slight edge over Tulane. Temple signal caller Anthony Russo and company are putting up 253 passing yards per game, with Russo’s season statline coming in at 2037 yards passing with a 16/9 touchdown to interception ratio. The Green Wave aren’t far behind, averaging 212 through the air, with Quarterback Justin McMillan throwing for 1703 yards with a TD/INT ratio of 13/9. Temple’s advantages through the air are not as significant as they may appear for one simple reason; Tulane’s rushing attack. The Green Wave have been outstanding on the ground all season long. Tulane’s advantage over Temple is staggering, averaging 261 yards per game, compared to the Owl’s 140. Overall, this gives Tulane a significant offensive advantage over Temple. The Wave are one of the most balanced teams in the country on offense, and have achieved their running success through a myriad of backs, receivers, and their field general McMillan.
KEYS TO VICTORY
OFFENSE
- Continue to be balanced offensively, mixing up the pass and run to keep Temple’s defense guessing
- McMillan needs to improve in the turnover department, accounting for 9 on the year
- Limit interceptions to keep the ball out of Russo’s hands and the Temple O
- Continue to get offensive talent involved, include less marquee athletes such as Cameron Carroll and Ygenio Booker
DEFENSE
- Slow down Temple’s explosive wideout Jadan Blue, who has 672 yards receiving and 55 receptions on the year.
- Design exotic blitz packages to force Russo into making snap decisions allowing Tulane’s feisty secondary to force turnovers and breakups.
PREDICTION
Tulane 38, Temple 30
