It’s All-American night in Tulsa on Thursday. No, not a gathering of the greatest college football talent in the nation, but a clash of AAC teams as the 2-2 Tulsa Golden Hurricane take on the 2-2 Temple Owls, with both teams seeking an early conference advantage.
Who emerges victorious? Ahead of the game, we’ve got the latest college football betting odds, DFS picks, and a Tulsa vs. Temple prediction.
Tulsa vs. Temple Betting and DFS Preview
All odds from DraftKings Sportsbook and correct as of Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. Want to take advantage of the Tulsa vs. Temple odds? Visit the College Football Network live college football odds page right here.
- Spread
Tulsa -3.5 - Moneyline
Tulsa -180, Temple +150 - Over/Under
54 points - Game time
7:30 p.m. ET - Location
Chapman Stadium, Tulsa, OK - Predicted Weather at Kick
71 degrees, 6-8 mph winds, clear - How to Watch
FuboTV, ESPN
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Does Tulsa tickle your gambling tastebuds? Fancy laying some money on the Owls? If you’re going to take advantage of the Tulsa vs. Temple odds, consider some of the following factors before you part with your hard-earned cash.
Tulsa has a narrow 4-3 head-to-head advantage over their conference compatriot, but as the matchup enters a third consecutive season on the schedule, the Golden Hurricane has been particularly dominant in the last two encounters. Kevin Wilson’s team is on a two-game streak against the Owls, and our Tulsa vs. Temple predictions suggest a continuation of that.
However, this game might be closer to a pick ’em than having any overall favorite. The prediction of a Tulsa win isn’t rooted in high confidence, neither is them covering the spread. Temple has failed to cover twice as an underdog this season, as a part of a 1-3 spread record. Tulsa has a better spread record (2-2) but it’s worth noting they failed to cover as a big favorite in Week 1.
Both teams have covered the overline just once this season, with Temple’s last game — against Miami — barely creeping past the marker. Although Tulsa’s defense has allowed plenty of points this year, the offense has been the Achilles heel of the Temple 2023 campaign and as such may struggle to take advantage. Our bet is a low-scoring affair that comes significantly under the line.
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
Tulsa Depth Chart | Temple Depth Chart
- QB Braylon Braxton, Tulsa ($8,600)
- QB E.J. Warner, Temple ($7,500)
- QB Cardell Williams, Tulsa ($6,200)
- RB Anthony Watkins, Tulsa ($9,500)
- RB Edward Saydee, Temple ($6,600)
- RB Jordan Ford, Tulsa ($5,800)
- RB Darvon Hubbard, Temple ($5,600)
- RB Tahj Gary, Tulsa ($5,500)
- RB Bill Jackson II, Tulsa ($5,400)
- RB Joquez Smith, Temple ($5,000)
- WR Dante Wright, Temple ($8,700)
- WR Devan Williams, Tulsa ($7,700)
- WR Amad Anderson Jr., Temple ($7,500)
- WR Marquis Shoulders, Tulsa ($6,500)
- WR Kamdyn Benjamin, Tulsa ($6,300)
- WR Zae Baines, Temple ($5,600)
- WR Braylin Presley, Tulsa ($5,500)
- TE David Martin-Robinson ($6,000)
- TE Luke McGary, Tulsa ($5,200)
There are three Thursday college football games to compile your DFS team from in Week 5. If you’re new to DFS, Fanduel Superflex contests require you to select a quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, then a “superflex” that can be any of the above, or you can also select a tight end in the Superflex spot.
With a potential high-scoring affair between Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee on this Thursday night footballing menu, you might want to limit your Tulsa vs. Temple picks for DFS purposes. Tulsa has a lot of quarterback uncertainty over the status of Braylon Braxton, leaving Temple QB E.J. Warner as the only legitimate passing option. He has 53 points so far this year.
If this game goes the way we think it might, adding one of the Tulsa running backs to your roster could pay dividends, but which one? Three backs have had over 20 carries so far this season, but Anthony Watkins leads the way with 243 yards and a touchdown, boasting 31.7 fantasy points. Temple’s Joquez Smith is worth consideration too, especially with his receiving value.
At the receiver position, Tulsa’s Marquis Shoulders leads all available fantasy options in touchdowns and fantasy points. He has showcased his talents as a big-play threat multiple times this season but didn’t log a single reception last time out. Temple’s receiving room having just two touchdowns between them all season tells you all you need to know about fantasy value there.
Prediction for Tulsa vs. Temple
Okay, so we’ve furnished you with the Tulsa vs. Temple odds and some DFS picks and it’s time to close this thing out with our Tulsa vs. Temple prediction.
Will the Golden Hurricane blow Temple back to Philadelphia? Or are the Owls too good to not come out of Tulsa with their third win of the season?
Much will hinge on who lines up under center for Tulsa on Thursday night. The Golden Hurricane were expecting Braylon Braxton to be the guy to replace transfer portal departee Davis Brin this season, but injury has limited him to just four pass attempts. Cardell Williams has shown flashes of real talent but has also thrown an interception for every touchdown pass so far.
No such issues for Temple, who boasts the talented Warner as the secure starter. However, the passing game — and the offense in general — hasn’t clicked so far this season. They’ve converted just 62.5% of their red zone trips into points, and just 50% into touchdowns. Tulsa’s pass defense has had its issues, but are the Owls really in a position to take advantage?
The Temple defensive is packed with playmakers, embodying the “Temple Tuff” moniker created under Matt Rhule. However, they’ve struggled to stop teams moving the ball on the ground, averaging the fourth-highest yards per carry allowed in the AAC this fall. Tulsa can lean on the ground game and have reliable kicker Chase Meyer at their disposal if they fail to punch it in.
Prediction: Tulsa 23, Temple 20