After blowing out Tulane on homecoming last Saturday, Temple hosts the team Tulane blew out two weeks ago, Central Florida, on Saturday night.
Here's a closer look:
Central Florida (0-6, 0-2 AAC) at Temple (5-0, 2-0 AAC)
Lincoln Financial Field
Saturday, 7:30 p.m., CBSSN
Scouting Temple
P.J. Walker completed 11 of 15 passes and threw two touchdowns, Jahad Thomas added another two touchdowns and freshman running back Ryquell Armstead scored the first two TDs of his career, as the Owls dominated the Green Wave, 49-10, at the Linc for their first 5-0 start since 1974. It was TU's largest win margin of the season.
Walker continued to take care of the football against Tulane, something he's done well this season. The junior QB's 73.3 completion percentage was his best since the Penn State win, and his 219.8 rating was his highest of the season. It's a different narrative around Walker, who's playing with a separated shoulder, this season and one that's benefitting the Owls' offense.
Thanks to the improved run game, the Owls haven't asked Walker to do much. On Saturday that should continue, as UCF allows 145.2 yards on the ground per game. Thomas has nine total touchdowns this season, with seven of them coming on the ground. Thomas is third in the AAC with 557 yards on the season. He didn't start last week because he was late to a meeting.
Wide receiver Robby Anderson turned in his biggest game since returning to the team. Anderson reeled in four balls for 73 yards and a touchdown against the Green Wave. He's the leading receiver with 19 receptions, 220 yards and four touchdowns. Tight end Kip Patton added a 43-yard catch and is developing into a playmaker for the Owls' offense.
News
The TU defense had another stout game against Tulane. That's expected. The Owls allow 14.4 points per game this season, ranking them 13th in the nation. They allow 97.2 rushing yards per game, 10th in the nation. They have 16.0 sacks, 21st in the country. Linebacker Tyler Matakevich added seven more tackles to his NCAA-career leading total of 399.
Scouting Central Florida
UCF is winless in six games this season, and is coming off its second straight defeat in which it surrendered 40 or more points. The Knights were smoked, 40-13, last Saturday by Connecticut during a game in which they turned the ball over four times and scored one offensive touchdown. QB Justin Holman threw three interceptions against the Huskies. Holman missed UCF's previous three games with a fractured right index finger. The junior is 50 of 86 for 504 yards with three TDs and three INTs this season.
The Knights don't have much going for them this season. They don't have a threat of a run game, averaging just 51.2 yards a contest. They don't score much (15.7 ppg) and allow nearly double (29.7 ppg). UCF has thrown 12 interceptions and lost five fumbles; it's created just four turnovers. It enters with a minus-13 turnover margin.
History
This is the third meeting between UCF and Temple. UCF is 2-0.
Storyline to watch
Trap game? Not necessarily. That comes next Thursday when Temple travels to face East Carolina. This should be a slam dunk.
This should be another contest in which the Owls dominate. They started slow against Tulane but ended up blowing out the Green Wave. So keep an eye on how fast Temple gets going against UCF. A fast start can only mean Frank Nutile gets into the game quicker than last week. The Owls should be leaving the Linc 6-0 on Saturday night.
What's at stake?
Temple's first 6-0 start since 1974.