**Temple at Arizona State**
–L as Vegas Sports Consultants installed Arizona State as a decided 26 1/2-point home ‘chalk’ over Temple. However, the line has since shifted to -31 since seven Owls players are suspended (five starters). This matchup is scheduled to begin Thursday at 10:00 p.m. ET, with Fox Sports Net providing coverage.
–Temple will have its hands full after going just 2-9 straight up and 6-4 against the spread last year.
–The only quality win the Owls had last season occurred against Syracuse as a 7 1/2-point home underdog, 34-24. The combined 58 points toppled the 51-point closing total, helping the ‘over’ improve to 3-1.
–Temple ranked 108th last season in scoring defense by allowing 36.3 points per game, and 107th in total defense by surrendering 439.3 yards per contest.
–The Owls return four starters on offense and six on defense. Temple has won just three games the last two seasons.
–Coach Bobby Wallace’s team did manage a respectable 6-4 ATS record, including a 4-1 ATS ledger on the road.
–Arizona State is ranked 18th in the VegasInsider.com top-25 poll, fresh off a 9-3 SU and 7-5 ATS ledger and Sun Bowl victory over Purdue.
–The Sun Devils were a solid 6-0 SU and 4-2 ATS last year at home.
–Coach Dirk Koetter’s team ranked fifth in the country in 2004 in passing offense with an average of 317.3 points per contest. Arizona State also enjoyed a +5 turnover ratio.
–The Sun Devils have eight starters returning on offense, and six on defense. Quarterback Sam Keller filled in for the injured Andrew Walter last year and went 25-of-45 for 370 yards passing and three touchdowns against Purdue in the Sun Bowl.
–Temple and Arizona State have not played each other the previous few seasons.
**Idaho at Washington State**
The Washington State Cougars return six starters on defense. (AP Images)
–LVSC opened Washington State as a 27 1/2-point home favorite over Idaho. This contest is scheduled to begin Thursday at 10:00 p.m. ET.
–Idaho returns nine offensive starters and seven defensive players from a squad that went 3-9 SU and 4-8 ATS.
–The Vandals posted a 3-6 ATS road record last season, while the defense forced a solid 27 turnovers.
–Idaho ranked 99th in scoring offense with 20.4 points per game, while ranking 113th in scoring defense by surrendering 39.4 points per contest. The Vandals were also a dismal 103rd in total defense by yielding 428.7 yards a game.
–Washington State was 5-6 SU and 3-8 ATS last year, returning nine offensive starters and six defensive players. The Cougars were 0-5 ATS last season at Martin Stadium.
–Coach Bill Doba’s team was a respectable 35th in passing offense by amassing 240.6 yards per game last year, and they return the starting quarterback, running back and wide receiver.
–Washington State is 5-0 SU and 3-2 ATS versus Idaho the previous five seasons after prevailing last year as a 25-point road favorite, 49-8. The Cougars beat the Vandals in 2003 as a 26 1/2-point home ‘chalk,’ 25-0.
**Minnesota at Tulsa**
–LVSC has Minnesota as a 15-point road ‘chalk’ over Tulsa, with the total listed at 61. This contest is scheduled to begin Thursday at 10:15 p.m. ET, with ESPN2 providing coverage.
–Minnesota is off a 7-5 SU and 6-5 ATS campaign that culminated in a Music City Bowl victory over Alabama. The Golden Gophers have eight offensive and seven defensive starters returning.
–Coach Glen Mason’s team was a modest 2-4 SU and 3-3 ATS away from home last year. Minnesota was an impressive fifth in the country in rushing offense by averaging 256.8 yards per game. The Gophers were also 15th in total offense with an average of 438.3 yards per contest.
–Minnesota ranked 19th in the nation in turnover ratio at +7, but was a lackluster 109th in passing defense by yielding 266 yards per game.
–Tulsa (4-8 SU, 4-7 ATS) was a modest 4-2 SU and 3-2 ATS last year on its home field despite ranking an abysmal 105th in turnover margin (-10).
–The Golden Hurricane was the 101st ranked team in scoring defense by surrendering 33.2 points per matchup, and 106th in rushing defense (210.6 yards per game).
–Tulsa was an unblemished 3-0 ATS last season as a home underdog.
–The Golden Hurricane return five offensive and seven defensive starters.
–Minnesota and Tulsa have not played each other the previous few seasons.
JT
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