Notre Dame overcame a blown lead, scoring 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter for a 41-31 victory against the feisty USC Trojans. The Fighting Irish now travel to the road to face the unbeaten Temple Owls.
The Owls cracked the top 25 because of a solid defense and a punishing ground game. Big plays from quarterback P.J. Walker in a come-from-behind victory at East Carolina on Thursday night let them stay there.
Can Notre Dame prove that it’s a contender for the national championship by handing Temple its first loss? Or will the Owls continue to soar? Read on as we take a look at this intriguing showdown. There’s plenty more college football to keep you going. Check out our complete previews for South Carolina vs. Texas A&M and Ole Miss vs. Auburn.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Temple Owls Preview
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
When: Saturday, October 31, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Notre Dame Figthing Irish at Temple Owls – view all NCAA Football lines
TV Broadcast: ABC
Betting on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-1)
[sc:NCAA240banner ]The Fighting Irish blew an early 14-point lead, and trailed by eight entering the fourth quarter. There the Irish showed their mettle, scoring 17 unanswered points for the come-from-behind victory. Quarterback DeShone Kizer threw for the go-ahead score, a 10-yard touchdown pass to Corey Robinson with 9:06 left. Justin Yoon iced the game with a 32-yard field goal with just over five minutes left to play.
Kizer was solid, throwing for 227 yards and two touchdowns in the game. Wide receiver Will Fuller gave him plenty of help, finishing with three catches for 131 yards, including a 75 yard score in the first quarter. Kizer completed passes to six different receivers to spread out the Notre Dame offense.
It wasn’t all through the air, though. The Notre Dame offense thrived under running back C.J. Prosise’s prominent presence on the ground. Prosise rushed for 143 yards and two scores on 19 carries, rushing for a solid 7.5 yards per attempt. It was his fifth game this season with over 120 yards rushing.
The Irish’s stellar running back faces a pretty tough challenge ahead, taking on Temple’s solid rushing defense. Temple has allowed just 91.9 yards rushing per game and three total touchdowns this season. Notre Dame could put a stop to Temple’s own rushing with a solid defensive lineman in senior Sheldon Day. He’s been a brick wall to opposing offenses, leading the Irish in tackles-for-loss (eight). Day has also been a terror against opposing quarterbacks with a team-high quarterback hurries (10).
The Irish are 6-1 ATS this season, including a five-game streak of covering the spread.
Betting on the Temple Owls (7-0)
Somehow, Temple founds a way to keep a sparkling unbeaten record, scoring 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter of a 24-14 win over the East Carolina Pirates. Quarterback P.J. Walker threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Robby Anderson with 3:31 left in the game for the go-ahead score. Jahad Thomas dealt the finishing touches with a 14-yard touchdown run. The score came after a botched Pirates punt placed the Owls at the East Carolina 15.
Thomas struggled greatly against East Carolina, rushing for 66 yards on 20 carries. But he did have two scores to power the Owls’ offense. When unchecked, Thomas could be a devastating running back with two 190-yard games and 12 total touchdowns this season. The Irish struggle against the run, allowing 175.9 yards per game with 11 total touchdowns in seven games this season.
Having the running game going is crucial for Temple. Notre Dame has a pretty solid passing defense, allowing just 194.4 yards per game this season. Quarterback Walker isn’t particularly good at dissecting opposing defenses with just 187.7 yards passing per game.
Defense has kept Temple undefeated thus far this season. The Owls have been excellent at picking off opposing quarterbacks with 12 interceptions thus far, fifth in the nation this season. Linebacker Tyler Matakevich has been excellent with a team-high four interceptions this year. He’ll have his eyes set on Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer’s passes. Kizer has thrown an interception in four of his last five games.
Temple is 5-2 ATS this season.
Writer’s Prediction
Notre Dame has too much for Temple. Take the Fighting Irish to hand Temple’s first loss of the season. Create a betting account now and dive right into the college football action.
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