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Andrew Rogers
Independence Bowl Spread: Temple vs. Duke Odds, Prediction
The Blue Devils were shell-shocked over their final two games of the 2018 campaign, getting outscored 94-13 by Clemson and Wake Forest to put a damper on an otherwise solid season.
Temple vs. Duke Betting Analysis
The Owls are favoured by just over a field goal in this one – and given their track record against the spread, they should be a popular option. Temple comes in having gone 37-17 ATS in its previous 54 games overall, while successfully covering in 14 of its past 20 games vs. teams with winning records. But the Blue Devils have been no slouches, going 4-0 ATS in their last four neutral site games while covering seven of their past nine vs. teams above .500.
The teams diverge dramatically when it comes to totals trends, with this one sitting at 54. The Owls have followed great defensive efforts with low totals, having gone 21-6 to the under in their past 27 games after allowing fewer than 275 yards last time out. They’re also 1-5 O/U in their past six December games. Duke has gone 5-0 O/U in its last five bowl games, and is 20-5-3 to the over in its previous 28 contests following a double-digit home loss
Temple Owls
Temple boasts a well-balanced offence led by quarterback Anthony Russo (2,335 passing yards, 13 TDs, 13 INTs) and running back Ryquell Armstead (1,098 yards, 13 TDs), while four different receivers had at least three receiving scores. The Owls’ offensive line is the envy of the majority of Division I teams, limiting opponents to just 15 sacks through 12 games, while the defence has held foes to 4.1 yards per carry and 166.3 passing yards per game.
Duke Blue Devils
Duke is known for having a stout defence, but that unit was shredded over the final three games of the season, a stretch in which the Blue Devils were torched for 129 points. And Duke’s run defence will almost certainly be a target of the Owls’ offensive attack, having surrendered more than 222 yards per game on the ground (5.1 YPC). On the plus side, Duke quarterbacks Daniel Jones and Quentin Davis threw for 24 combined touchdowns against just seven interceptions.
