With just one game on Friday night, the eyes of the college football world will be on Lincoln Financial Field as the 4-2 SMU Mustangs ride into town to face the 2-5 Temple Owls.
Who emerges victorious? Ahead of the game, we’ve got the latest college football betting odds, DFS picks, and a Temple vs. SMU prediction.
Temple vs. SMU Betting and DFS Preview
All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and correct as of Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. Want to take advantage of the Temple vs. SMU odds? Visit the College Football Network live college football odds page to place bets in your state.
- Spread
SMU -20.5 - Moneyline
SMU -1450, Temple +850 - Over/Under
55 points - Game time
7 p.m. ET - Location
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA - Predicted Weather at Kick
59 degrees, 4-6 mph winds, rain - How to Watch
FuboTV, ESPN2
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Looking to make some money on the Mustangs? Is it tempting to take Temple against the odds on Friday night? If you’re going to take advantage of the Temple vs. SMU odds, consider some of the following factors before you part with your hard-earned cash.
Having won the last two matchups between these two teams, not to mention the vast disparity between their records this season, SMU heads to Philadelphia as a substantial favorite. The Mustangs haven’t lost as a moneyline favorite this season, Temple hasn’t won as an underdog, and neither of those situations should change on Friday night.
The moneyline is so skewed towards SMU that there’ll be little return by simply placing a stake there. Are there any other tantalizing options from the Temple vs. SMU odds?
The spread line is substantial, but the Owls have failed to cover the spread as an underdog this fall — including as a 22.5 underdog against the Miami Hurricanes.
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Uncharacteristically for SMU when compared to recent seasons, the Mustangs have covered the over just once this year. However, this game has dissolved into a shootout in past editions, and each of the last five has covered the 55-point line. Temple are on a three-game streak of covering the over.
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
Temple Depth Chart | SMU Depth Chart
- QB Preston Stone, SMU ($17,500)
- QB E.J. Warner, Temple ($14,500)
- QB Quincy Patterson, Temple ($14,000)
- RB Jaylan Knighton, SMU ($13,000)
- RB LJ Johnson Jr., SMU ($9,000)
- RB Camar Wheaton, SMU ($8,500)
- RB Edward Haydee, Temple ($8,000)
- RB Darvon Hubbard, Temple ($8,000)
- RB E.J. Wilson, Temple ($7,000)
- RB Velton Gardner, SMU ($6,500)
- RB Joquez Smith, Temple ($6,500)
- WR Jake Bailey, SMU ($10,000)
- WR Amad Anderson Jr., Temple ($8,500)
- WR Jordan Hudson, SMU ($7,500)
- WR Dante Wright, Temple ($7,500)
- WR Roderick Daniels Jr., SMU ($7,000)
- WR Key’Shawn Smith, SMU ($7,000)
- WR John Adams, Temple ($7,000)
- WR Jordan Kerley, SMU ($7,000)
- WR Moochie Dixon, SMU ($6,500)
- WR Ian Stewart, Temple ($6,500)
- WR Zae Baines, Temple ($6,500)
- WR Romello Brinson, SMU ($6,500)
- TE RJ Maryland, SMU ($11,500)
- TE David Martin-Robertson, Temple ($7,500)
- TE Jordan Smith, Temple ($6,500)
There is just one college football game on Friday to compile your DFS team from in Week 8. If you’re new to DFS, Fanduel Superflex contests require you to select an MVP and four FLEX positions that can be any of the above. The MVP spot earns 1.5x points.
Let’s start our Temple vs. SMU picks at the quarterback position.
Both Preston Stone and E.J. Warner are talented young pocket passers with the ability to take over a game. Stone has outscored Warner by just over 11 points this season but has the matchup advantage, adds a slightly more viable dual-threat, and, as such, should be your choice here.
Given the predicted rain for this game, the running back position might prove a difference-maker.
Jaylan Knighton leads the Mustangs in yards per carry, touches, yards, and touchdowns. When given a full load, he’ll take over a game. With a deep RB room that hasn’t happened often, but he should be one of your two running back selections. Darvon Hubbard could be the other.
The most dangerous pass catcher on the SMU team is tight end RJ Maryland, who might actually be a reliable option for your superflex spot, given the expectation of a high-scoring, one-sided game. Beyond that, the Mustangs spread the targets around their rotation of receivers.
Amad Anderson Jr. and Dante Wright have big play potential behind Owls TE David Martin-Robertson.
Prediction for Temple vs. SMU
Okay, so we’ve furnished you with the Temple vs. SMU odds and some DFS picks. Now, it’s time to close this thing out with our prediction. Can Temple halt their current losing streak with a home win on Friday night? Or will the Mustangs simply ride into Philadelphia, trample their opponent, and gallop back to Dallas with a W tucked into their saddle?
Temple has the pieces on both sides of the ball to be a competitive player in the AAC. Warner has shown the ability to dissect a defense efficiently, and Anderson and Wright are dangerous, speedy targets for the young QB. On defense, Jordan Magee and Diwun Black can be dominant backfield penetrators.
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However, they may be out of their depth on Friday night. The secondary has given up the most passing touchdowns in the AAC despite facing the second-fewest passing attempts per game. They’ve secured just one interception, giving SMU quarterback Stone a little comfort level to operate in what could be tricky conditions for the passing game in the Philadelphia rain.
Furthermore, SMU has given up the fewest points in the conference through six games, allowing an average of just 17.0 points. They have a handful of players capable of disrupting both the passing and ground games with Alex Kilgore, Kori Roberson, Nelson Paul and Elijah Roberts all registering multiple sacks.
Stronger on offense and defense, it’s time to “Pony Up” for SMU.
Prediction: SMU 43, Temple 21