Temple is one dimensional and although Wyoming has given up chunks on the ground all year long and are ranked 115th in stopping the run Temple has been inconsistent and Bernard Pierce has not always stayed on the field. Wyoming also has had to deal with balanced offenses all year long their only 4 losses came to some pretty good teams TCU, Boise, Nebraska etc. All have better offensive schemes than Temple who is 117th in passing the ball. Wyoming is actually pretty big up front their linebackers are just a little slow, but now this team with extra preparation gets an opportunity to move their safeties up to help in the running game and I think thatâs the difference.
On the flip side of things Wyoming has more balance than their stats indicate. Brett Smith has been a great find throwing 18TD to just 8 INT while completing 60.5% of his passes. They are also a team that just does not make mistakes 29th in penalties with only 58 total on the year and they are 4th in turnover margin with a +15 margin. They have forced a total of 16 turnovers over their last 5 games alone. Temple too is good at +6, but -5 in their losses this will likely be the key if Wyoming can start forcing them to throw the ball. Temple who is #1 in the MAC in sacks with 32 on the year likely wonât get the time to get to Brett Smith who has been successful with quick passes as heâs been sacked only 11 times.
3rd down both teams are similar on both sides of the balls with Temple having a small advantage 34% to 39% on defense, but then again Wyoming has a much more challenging schedule Temple did not play any solid offenses outside of Ohio and Toledo. IN the Red zone both teams have 43 attempts and Wyoming gets 65% TDâs while Temple is at just 58% defensively they are both at 58% allowed. Wyoming is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 as a dog 3.5 to 10 while Temple is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record. Time and time again we all want to jump on the Temple bandwagon but they come up small in the big game and they do it again here on Saturday.
