I’ve teamed up with a longtime Las Vegas resident and sports bettor who has his finger on the pulse of the industry. He’s worked at multiple casinos in Las Vegas, and he has had an inside look at sports betting that many never get to see. Sin City Sharp will be providing free pick writeups to Hunter Sports Picks in the future, and we’re glad to have him on board.
Here’s a look at his first free pick/preview for this Thursday night’s college football action.
Week 4 kicks off Thursday with this stand-alone game as Temple (2-1, 0-0) makes the trek down south to Tampa to open up AAC play vs. (21) University of South Florida (3-0, 0-0). Temple dealt USF one of its two losses last season, beating the Bulls 46-30 to prevent USF from playing for their first ever AAC title. Since that defeat, USF broke off eight straight victories (five to finish off 2016, and three straight this season). Suffice to say revenge will be on the minds of Charlie Strong’s veteran squad, which returns 77% of their 2016 defensive production, good for 22nd in Division I.
Temple vs. USF Football Preview
Date/Time: Thursday, Sept. 21 7:30pm EST
TV: ESPN
College Football Betting Odds from 5Dimes
College Football Betting Favorite: USF -19.5
Total: 62.5
Temple Owls:
At the helm for the Owls is Logan Marchi, a 6’0’’ 205 lb. sophomore from Bristol, CT. Marchi comes in riding a 5/0 TD to INT ratio. Marchi’s completion rate is 57.5% and he’s garnering 7.24 YPA. His main ground weapon is Ryquell Armstead, a junior who is experiencing his first season as the featured back. In Temple’s three games, Armstead is averaging just 3.5 YPC and has yet to hit pay dirt on the ground this season. It’s important to note, Armstead ran for 210 yards in last season’s victory over USF. Senior Keith Kirkwood is the featured wideout on the squad. A 6’3’’ 220 lb. wide receiver from Neptune, NJ, Kirkwood has 2 TD in the 2017 campaign, and is averaging 15.4 YPP.
Temple has struggled far too much against lesser foes so far in the early season. They were up 13-0 at the half against FCS squad Villanova, yet had to squeak out a late FG to win 16-13. Temple allowed three 100-yard rushers in their 49-16 loss to Notre Dame, so stopping the run will be a must this Thursday, as USF had three 100-yard rushers in their latest victory vs. Illinois. This Temple team is clearly down a large amount from last year.
USF Bulls:
Charlie Strong landed in Tampa this past offseason and took over coaching duties for USF following a less-than-impressive tenure at Texas. Strong’s name alone gives plenty of legitimacy to the program, which, as previously mentioned, is gunning for their first AAC title. Under center for USF is Quinton Flowers, a 6’0’’ senior from Miami. This season, Flowers is sporting an 8/2 TD to INT ratio, with 678 yards and for his career, he’s acquired a 54/19 TD to INT ratio with 5897 total career yards. Darius Tice has been at USF for what seems like an eternity. In fact, its Tice’s 5th season running the ball for the Bulls. Tice already has 4 rushing TD’s this season, which matches his previous season high (2015). On 48 attempts this season, he’s gained 256 yards for an impressive 5.3 YPC. Flowers’ main passing target is senior Marquez Valdes-Scantling. He’s being tapped to the tune of 14 receptions on the season, averaging 14.4 YPP, a total of 202 yards with 2 TDs.
Sin City Sharp Free Pick – USF -19.5
It’s long been stated that revenge is a dish best served cold. That cliché couldn’t be more applicable in this tilt. Temple prevented USF from achieving their paramount goal last season. Best believe since USF’s 43-20 loss to Temple in 2016, which will be 11 months to the very day this week’s game is played, this game has been circled on the calendar hanging in the USF locker room. Charlie Strong and the Bulls will be primed and ready to serve roasted Owl a la mode down in Tampa.
Kyle Hunter is doing a weekly football sharp money report. What’s in it? All the information about what the sharps are betting and which games are sharp/public splits. Kyle breaks down where the steam moves and reverse line movement is coming from on that particular card. For the next two weeks only, the Sharp Money Report is just $79 for the rest of the football season. Contact kyle to take advantage. Contact him on twitter or email- kyle@huntersportspicks.com.
Good luck this weekend!
