Military Bowl Betting: Temple vs. Wake Forest Odds, Analysis and Pick

The Temple Owls are on an epic money run, covering the spread in each of their last 12 games, from Week 2 all the way through a win/cover in the AAC Championship Game. Temple backers hope the Owls can make it 13 cash-outs in a row against Wake Forest in the Military Bowl on December 27 in Annapolis.

Military Bowl point spread: The Owls opened as 12.5-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)

College football pick, via OddsShark computer: 40.6-14.6 Owls (College football picks on every game)

Why the Temple Owls can cover the spread

The Owls started 3-3 this year, with a tough loss at eventual Big Ten champion Penn State. They've won seven games in a row since, including a 34-10 romp over Navy to win the American Athletic Conference title.

The Owls outgained the Mids by 82 yards and outrushed them by 21 yards. So they've now outgained each of their last 10 opponents, and outrushed their last seven foes. They're also 6-1 ATS this year when favored by double digits.

Temple ranks 51st in the country in rushing, averaging 191.2 yards per game on the ground, and third in total defense, holding opponents to just 275.9 yards per game.

Finally, while the Owls just lost head coach Matt Rhule to Baylor, they retain continuity by having assistant head coach Ed Foley lead the troops for this bowl.

Why the Wake Forest Demon Deacons can cover the spread

The Deacons parlayed a 4-0 start to this season, which included a road win over a decent Big Ten team in Indiana, with later ACC victories over Syracuse and Virginia into their first bowl bid since 2011. And while they lost their last three games of the regular season, they gave Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson and his Louisville outfit a scare, and came up with a back-door cover against College Football Playoff-bound Clemson to finish on a 5-2 ATS run.

Wake Forest, as a five-touchdown underdog, actually led the Cardinals at Papa John's Stadium 12-10 through three quarters, faded in a 44-12 loss but hung on for the cover. Wake Forest is also 5-1 ATS this season as an underdog, and 3-1 ATS when getting double digits.

Smart pick

Temple won a conference championship, while Wake Forest finished fourth in a mediocre league. More importantly, the Owls own clear advantages on both sides of the ball. The smart money here at sports betting sites takes Temple.

Betting trends

Wake Forest is 6-0 ATS in its last six games in December.

The total has gone under in five of Wake Forest's last seven games.

Temple is 12-0 ATS in its last 12 games.

All college football lines and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.