Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl: Temple Owls at Florida International Golden Panthers

The Temple Owls (6-6) meet the Florida International Golden Panthers (8-4) in the Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl in St. Petersburg, Fla on Thursday, Dec 21 at 8 p.m. E.T. Our Temple plays FIU 2017 Gasparilla Bowl pick offers the Owls at either -7.0 or -7.5 and the over/under at anywhere from 56.0 to 57.0. Although both teams are rather modest on average when it comes to scoring in each of their final regular-season games both teams put a lot of points on the scoreboard. Temple beat Tulsa 43-22, while FIU beat UMass 63-45. Both clubs are 3-2 for their last five games.

Temple Overview

The Temple Owls are averaging 24.8 PPG and allowing 27.7. Their defense has had a tough time stopping the run, giving up over 180 YPG on the ground. The Temple offense is passing-based, and they should see some opportunities when they go up against the Golden Panthers secondary. Junior QB Frankie Nutile (60.8 COMP%, 11 TDs, 7 INTs) has played in seven games this season, and he’s had a few where he has excelled. He’s coming into this contest after tossing three TD passes and no picks versus Tulsa.

Senior WRs Adonis Jennings (39 REC, 17.7 AVG, 7 TDs) and Keith Kirkwood (39 REC, 14.7 AVG, 7 TDs) are his go-to guys who can get the job done. Two junior RBs, David Hood and Ryquell Armstead, offer solid ground-gaining chops. On D, LB Shaun Bradley leads the club in tackles with 81, including 10 TFL, and LB/DL Sharif Finch and DL Jacob Martin have combined for 10.5 sacks and 21 TFL. DB Devlon Randall has grabbed four picks. The team has a dozen forced fumbles.

Owls Summary

• Overall good offense
• Defense has some standouts
• Nutile needs to have a good day at QB

FIU Overview

The Golden Panthers are scoring on average 27.5 PPG. They are allowing opponents 28.5 PPG, which leaves them little margin for error. FIU has a strong ground attack, which should be able to do some damage against what is a relatively weak Temple run defense. QB Alex McGough (65.3 COMP%, 17 TDs, 8 INTs) is a solid passer. WR Thomas Owens leads the team with 59 receptions and six touchdown catches.

The top running back is Alex Gardner who has gained 765 yards on 171 carries for an average of 4.5 YPA. He’s scored six rushing TDs, while three other runners, including McGough, have rushed for 14 TDs and over 1,000 yards. Important performers on defense include DE Fermin Silva, who has six sacks, and 14.5 TFL and CB Brad Muhammad, who has four picks and five PD. The two top tacklers, with 82 and 81 respectively, are LBs Treyvon Williams and Anthony Wint.

Golden Panthers Summary

• QB McGough is a solid passer and rusher
• Diverse rushing group
• Defense needs to play every play

Three Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl Takeaways

Our Temple plays FIU 2017 Gasparilla Bowl pick includes these three takeaways-

1. Both teams had explosive final games can either do the same in this one?
2. Temple’s defense and depth edges out FIU’s
3. QB edge to FIU

Our Temple Plays FIU 2017 Gasparilla Bowl Pick

Our Temple plays FIU 2017 Gasparilla Bowl pick does like the Owls. We’re going with Temple at -7.0. As far as the over/under is concerned, the totals for this game are low. We’re taking the over at 56.0. That’s how we see this contest going. We’re expecting at least 60 points to be scored.

Summary Temple at FIU Picks- Temple at -7.0 and over 56.0