Why is BGSU 21 Pt Favs ?

[mh55]

I think T E M P L E brings a better team to Ohio than you faced at the Linc. What has BG improved upon since last year? I know you're settled on a QB, thats about it. Havent seen a BG game yet this year but interested to learn what we should expect. I could give a rundown of the Owls from my perspective...

[Dayons_Den]

I think T E M P L E brings a better team to Ohio than you faced at the Linc. What has BG improved upon since last year? I know you're settled on a QB, thats about it. Havent seen a BG game yet this year but interested to learn what we should expect. I could give a rundown of the Owls from my perspective...

To answer your initial question: Because the sportsbooks in Vegas want to make money and they are banking on people laying bets on a pass-happy offense against the perceived worst team in college football.

[TG1996]

As was discussed in an earlier thread on the game, I think when it comes to the MAC, oddsmakers tend to draw spreads from a hat. Temple losing by 5 scores to Buffalo, while BG split two with the Big 10 might have a hand in it as well.

The QB thing has been bigger than most outsiders may realize, not to mention the emergence of a number of receivers for him to throw to. Last year, we were more of a run-first offense, and throw it to Corey Partridge if need-be, this year we've had four or five guys with big receiving games through the first two, and that's not including Partridge for a game and a half. The defense seems to be somewhat improved as well, though giving up big plays is still something to watch out for. Minnesota had a long run or two, MSU really killed us on two big pass plays. A lot like that game we allegedly played at Temple last year, a handful of big plays on kick returns and pass plays really did us in.

Realistically, I don't know why the spread would be above 14 points, but I wouldn't be surprised to see BG win by 30+.

[CapitalFalcon]

A) We beat Minnesota;
B) We had a good game against Michigan State (lost by 11); an'
C) Temple got th' erelivin' bilge water beat ou' o' them by Buffalo.

Any other questions? Ya horn swollgin' swabbie!

[hammb]

Basically we're 21 point favorites because we have found a QB that brings us back to the ability to throw the ball around and spread out the field both horizontally & vertically. Last year we were forced to run a running offense and nobody respected our ability to throw the ball, and with good reason. That has changed.

Temple got blasted by Buffalo and BG has looked to be back to the offensive ways of year's past. Vegas is thinking that we're heading back to the 70+ point performances of not that long ago.

I'm hoping they're right.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

I think T E M P L E brings a better team to Ohio than you faced at the Linc. What has BG improved upon since last year? I know you're settled on a QB, thats about it. Havent seen a BG game yet this year but interested to learn what we should expect. I could give a rundown of the Owls from my perspective...

BG has improved on a great many things from last year. QB/WR play, Run defense, and the kicking game all look to be vastly improved. Temple got housed by Fuffalo. I thought the spread was a bit high, but not unreasonable. I think I would be surprised by a Temple win, given what I've seen so far from both teams. I would also be surprised if we won by 50 again. A 21 point victory would not surprise me in the least.

[mh55]

This fan thinks Buf game was an abberation. We had 1st play from scrimmage go for TD, then threw a Pick for a TD. TU was down 21 5 mins into the game. Dont get me wrong, Buf thoroughly dominated us too.

Navy & UConn run the ball and did it effectively early which staked them out to 14-0 and 10-0 leads, basically the diff in the game since we outsocred both the last 3 quarters. I'm very interested to see how TU fares against a passing offense. I think we have a better chance but maybe thats because I just havent seen the Owls against a pass offense.

If our O can stay on the field, sustain some drives spelling our D and our OL can protect DiMichelle, we'll give you stout game. We are significantly better than last year on D , imho.

[truth]

BG's defense has also improved about as much as the offense. From what i see. Pursuit angles are much better, and almost every play I see 5 or more helmets on the ball carrier.

My only defensive concern sometimes is that BG gets a bit aggressive, and a stop and go pass play or good counter can turn into a big play.

[1987alum]

Honestly, I think a 21-point line for this game is ridiculous.

Temple is a lot tougher than most folks suspect. And our Minnesota victory is looking less impressive each week.

The Falcons will take care of business but, sadly, I do not see return to the heady days of 70-16 wins. God, I loved those games.

[Redwingtom]

As was discussed in an earlier thread on the game, I think when it comes to the MAC, oddsmakers tend to draw spreads from a hat.

I don't think this could be any farther from the truth. Sports books have this thing down to a science.

But to answer the original question, the line is placed to encourage the most possible wagers placed on the game and nothing more.

[mh55]

Cmon, you really didnt enjoy those 70-16 games, did you?

Allow me to explain that one at the Linc a little. TU had gotten blasted the week before at Toledo. There was quite a bit of dissension among staff, players and administrators. Then boarding the team plane back to Philly an argument ensued between our AD and one of our most renown former players who was also a sideline analyst. The same analyst who the year before had been captured saying the Head Coach needed to get some some balls into an open microphone. To make a long story short, the analyst was kicked off the plane while it was on the runway. The analyst was very respected and it caused a further rift among many people associated with Temple FB.

Fast forward to the BGSU game, Temple got a turnover and our offense moped onto the field w/ the same enthusiasm TU had practiced with all week.....none. We went 3 and out then kicked a FG to take a 3-0 lead in a game we would lose 70-16. I was told our offense was capable of executing less than a dozen plays and was not prepared to audible out of any. If you stopped our QB Keeper, you pretty much stopped Temple offense.

I dont offer any excuse for the next 70 pt ass kickin other than those days are over and former HC Bobby Wallace is a 1,000 miles away from our FB Program.

[CapitalFalcon]

Not to be a smart alack, but if that's the case, in the Al Golden era Temple last year scored 131 points, and gave up 496 points. Then this year, Temple gets beat by Navy and Buffalo, 30-19 and 42-7 respectively. To me, it seems that the win against BG and the 22-17 loss to UConn seem more to be the aberration, no?

[Jacobs4Heisman]

I enjoyed the beatdown at the Linc a great deal. Temple played dirty the few times I watched them in that era, and it's always incredibly satisfying to utterly destroy a team like that, especially in a beautiful stadium where the fans visiting from 9 hours away outnumber the home fans.

Good times.

[moneymaker02]

is it me, or am i the only one at work reading this and chuckling at this guy trying to justify temple as a good football team. they may be improved but thats not saying much when your team can only get better.

[1987alum]

Cmon, you really didnt enjoy those 70-16 games, did you?

Immensely!

I don't doubt your assessment of that game. I must say, I can only describe that Temple team as disinterested. We scored our last TD by running the same exact play five times in a row.

I dont offer any excuse for the next 70 pt ass kickin other than those days are over and former HC Bobby Wallace is a 1,000 miles away from our FB Program.

That's the key. The Wallace Error, um, Era is over. I really dont' expect the Owls to endure any more 10-TD beatdowns in the near future, though I do hope to see them take their lumps Saturday!