*CFB(2u): Rutgers TT OVER 32.5(-115) vs Temple–Thursday 5:30 PM CT
For the majority of programs, a 3-6 season would not be celebrated. But considering how far Rutgers had fallen prior to last season, a 3-6 2020 should be seen as a major step in the right direction. Head Coach Greg Schiano has turned Rutgers around once before, and it appears he’s gearing up to do the same thing. They’ll have the luxury of a sold out crowd for this season opener, and Schiano’s experienced group should be poised for a hot start to the season. The Rutgers offense saw major improvements last season, mostly due to the addition of Nebraska transfer QB Noah Vedral. Vedral was the primary starter for Rutgers last year and can beat teams with his arm as well as his legs. He’s joined in the backfield by 4th year RB Isaih Pachecho(who excels as a pass catcher) and surrounded by a talented WR group and an OL that returns all 5 starters. Temple is undermanned and inexperienced on the DL, meaning the experienced Rutgers OL should be able to set the tone for the offense. That bodes horribly for a Temple team that projects to be below average in the secondary. Rutgers was in the top-third in the country in plays per game last season(75.4 plays/game), so they should have plenty of opportunities to get over this number. I would lean towards laying the points with Rutgers as well, but Temple’s offense is a true wild card; they added Georgia transfer QB D’Wan Mathis as well as a few new skill position players in the offseason. I think the Rutgers TT is the best look because their offensive output should be independent of how Temple’s offense plays. If Mathis struggles with turnovers, that helps our case, and if he plays well, Rutgers will be forced to continue playing with a sense of urgency. There is a willingness for Greg Schiano and Rutgers to start this season off with a bang, and I think they’re more than equipped to do so against a lowly Temple team.
