Temple vs. SMU Prediction, Game Preview

The Temple Owls (7-1) look to rebound from their first loss this weekend versus the SMU Mustangs (1-7). Check out the Temple vs. SMU prediction and game preview.

Temple vs. SMU Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Friday, November 6
Game Time: 8:00 ET
Network: ESPN2

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Why You Need To Care

So close. Temple had Notre Dame on the ropes last Saturday in Philly, but allowed the Irish to slip out in the final minutes of a 24-20 loss. It would have been the most important win in school history. Now, the Owls, who rightfully remained ranked, must show they can quickly shake off that crushing defeat and get back to the business of wrapping up the East Division. Fortunately for Temple, up next is SMU, whose only win of the year came in Week 2 versus North Texas.

Why Temple Will Win

The defense is Power Five-caliber. The Owls have been nasty all year, including against the likes of Penn State and ND. Temple will create all kinds of mismatches at the line of scrimmage, with LB Tyler Matakevich and linemen Matt Ioannidis and Nate D. Smith manhandling an SMU blocking unit that’s allowed 33 sacks in eight games.

Why SMU Will Win

After falling to the Irish in an emotionally charged, primetime game, Temple can’t possibly be up for this trip to Dallas. Who’d blame the Owls is they’re flat on Friday night? If the Mustangs are going to exploit Temple’s state-of-mind, they’ll do so with help from dual-threat QB Matt Davis. When Davis, who threw three touchdown passes last week, is on, he has the skill set to carry a team.

Player Who Matters

SMU is going to have a hard time stopping Temple RB Jahad Thomas, who’s bloomed into a star in 2015. After being bottled up by Notre Dame, Thomas will be ready to erupt against a Mustang D allowing a whopping 5.6 yards per carry. The junior needs 96 yards to reach 1,000 on the season, which he might eclipse before halftime.

What’s Going To Happen?

This is a very tricky spot for head coach Matt Rhule and his Owls, who better be focused, because SMU is playing with absolutely nothing to lose. The Mustangs will compete early, much the way they day last week against Tulsa. But like last Saturday, they’ll also run out of gas—and defensive stops—long before the upset can be realized.