by Chuck Sommers
Monday, Sep 06, 2021
Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET, Sept. 11, 2021
Venue: InfoCision Stadium, Akron, OH
Where to watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Temple -6.5; O/U 54.5; Temple -250, Akron +200
BetMGM: Temple -6.5; No total; Temple -250, Akron +200
Caesars: Temple -6.5; O/U 54; Temple -250, Akron +205
Season record
Temple: 0-1
Akron: 0-1
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Temple - Akron preview and analysis
Recent form
Temple: lost 61-14 at Rutgers on Sept. 4
Akron: lost 60-10 at Auburn on Sept. 4
Nothing better to get your Saturday started than by watching two teams that lost by many touchdowns the week prior.
This is the battle of the titans … or teams that were slaughtered by titans. Either way, the matchup between the Temple Owls and Akron Zips could very well be one of the more entertaining games of the weekend.
Entertaining as in it could be the worst game we see this year between two teams that just gave up 61 and 60 points respectively, but is this why we play the game?
Sometimes wondering why teams play the game is to determine which defense will not ultimately be horrible first. And with the Owls favored at 6.5 points to start the week, we really can’t say for certain that this should be a legitimate call to action.
This could ultimately turn into a high-scoring game that shatters the over, or it could be a two-touchdown shutout that just slowly, briskly excites the fans in Akron.
Temple quarterback D’Wan Mathis was held to 8-for-25 passing for 148 yards and an interception, all while being sacked three times. Temple turned it over five times with three fumbles and two interceptions.
Meanwhile, Akron got lit up for 612 total yards to only 188 from the Zips. The only bright spot from this whooping Akron took was DJ Irons replacing Kato Nelson, and the quarterback going 13-of-13 for 129 yards and one touchdown. That’s all Akron was good for; the Zips had -3 rushing yards on 36 carries. That is a negative three, folks.
We would presume Irons gets the start after showing life in the pocket.
Prediction
This seems like the perfect time to just flip a coin and see what happens. Akron at home is getting 6.5. For such a low-event game, things like the home dog getting seems too good to pass up. Akron wins 14-7.
Betting trends
Temple is 4-20 straight up against MAC opponents in its last 24 games.
Akron has lost 16 straight games as an underdog straight up, and 15 of 16 against the spread.
Players to watch
Temple: It might be best to get the ball out of Mathis’ hands and let Edward Saydee run. Saydee had only 12 carries, but also scored one of Temple’s two touchdowns.
Akron: Look for Michael Mathison to be Irons’ favorite target yet again. Jonzell Norrils scored the lone receiving touchdown, but with a whole game, Irons should be able to find his top target.
Statistical leaders
Temple:
Passing: D’Wan Mathis -- 148 yards, 1 INT
Rushing: Edward Saydee -- 57 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Jose Barbon -- 48 yards
Defense: Jordan Magee -- 8 tackles
Akron:
Passing: DJ Irons -- 129 yards, 1 TD
Rushing: Jonzell Norrils -- 22 yards
Receiving: Michael Mathison -- 68 yards
Defense: Bubba Arslanian -- 8 tackles
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
