EagleBank Bowl: UCLA vs. Temple Preview and Predictions

Dec. 29, 2009 | 4:30 PM EST, Washington, D.C. on ESPN

EagleBank Bowl

UCLA Bruins (6-6) vs. Temple Owls (9-3)

Opening Line: UCLA -4.5 (current UCLA -4 )

Game Preview

Thank you to the bowl gods for giving us this weirdo matchup. The MAC doesn't play the Pac-10 very often, and Temple makes it to a bowl even less often.

Kudos to the Owls on their 9-3 season. Most people would have been pleasantly surprised with half the number of victories though it is hard to tell whether they are a true product of improvement or just mediocrity in the MAC.

On the other hand, I don't think UCLA is very good, but this was a very strong year in the Pac-10. All their losses were to be expected.

UCLA Preview

When the Bruins won at Tennessee in week two, it was expected that the team might have actually turned the corner. However, they were clearly not ready for league play, opening with five straight losses. The primary culprit was an offense that scores only 21 PPG — good for 100th in the nation.

Sure, they have had injuries, but that is not the whole story. They just don't have any feared playmakers, and Norm Chow can only work so much magic.

Luckily for the Bruins, their defense is very good, giving up the same 21 PPG (not surprising given the .500 record). DT Brian Price is a future first round pick and should be able to wreak some havoc against the Owls, who haven't seen a player like that since they got beat up by Penn State.

Temple Preview

Temple will definitely be the sentimental favorite against UCLA, but despite the difference in records, they are the less talented team.

They had a great run of victories, but none were over quality opponents, and in the last game of the year, when they needed to beat Ohio to play in the MAC championship, they came up well short (and Ohio couldn't even beat Marshall in their bowl game).

They are led by an emerging coach and got fantastic production from freshman RB Bernard Pierce — neither he nor his line are of the caliber that UCLA is used to competing against, and Pierce is questionable to boot. Temple just doesn't have what it takes to win a game like this, but UCLA will do their best to keep it close.

Game Prediction

Anyone expecting offensive fireworks will be disappointed. Temple wants to run the ball but will find the sledding tough against the Bruins. Eventually the Bruins will gain enough of a field position edge that they will have no choice but to score. It won't be pretty.

Score Prediction

UCLA - 17 Temple - 3

Pick

As a Trojans fan it is hard to side with the Bruins, but Temple just has no momentum coming into the game. I feel very comfortable spotting UCLA the points even with their tragic offense.

UCLA Bruins Football Betting Trends

* Bruins are 4-0 ATS in their last four non-conference games.

* Bruins are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games as a favorite.

* The total has gone UNDER in five of UCLA's last six games.

Temple Owls Football Betting Trends

* Temple is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games.

* Temple is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games.

* The total has gone OVER in five of Temple's last five games.