Temple vs Toledo Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 19, 2026

The Temple Owls visit the Toledo Rockets on Saturday at the Glass Bowl in Toledo, with the opening kickoff at 3:00 PM ET and televised on CBS Sports Network. Temple is 1-1 overall and 0-0 in the American Conference after a 27-9 loss to Penn State. Toledo is also 1-1 overall and 0-0 in the MAC following a 63-10 victory over Central Connecticut State. The Owls opened with a 38-14 win over Rhode Island, while the Rockets bounced back from a 30-20 loss at Michigan State. Cash in a big winner with our free NCAAF picks.

Temple Owls Trying to Rebound After a Tough Loss

Temple had trouble generating points against Penn State after scoring 38 in its season opener. Ajani Sheppard has completed 8 of 16 passes for 133 yards without a touchdown or interception. Jaxon Smolik has completed 14 of 22 attempts for 116 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Owls have been much stronger on the ground, rushing for 403 yards and three touchdowns at 5.2 yards per attempt. Keveun Mason leads the attack with 234 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries.

Jayce Freeman leads Temple’s receiving corps with 57 yards and one touchdown on two catches, while JoJo Bermudez has four receptions for 46 yards. Colin Chase has added 43 receiving yards. Temple’s defense has recorded three sacks and two interceptions. Curly Ordonez leads the Owls with 20 tackles and one sack. Tyree Alualu and Jamarcus Pierre have each returned an interception for a touchdown, while Kevin Hornbeak Jr. and Davier Bishop have also recorded sacks.

Injuries: Coen Logan, S. Brown V, R. Stocksdale and R. Hardy are questionable.

Toledo Rockets Coming Off an Offensive Breakout

Toledo responded to its opening loss by scoring 63 points against Central Connecticut State. John Alan Richter has completed 27 of 45 passes for 448 yards, five touchdowns and one interception while averaging 10.0 yards per attempt. The Rockets have also rushed for 333 yards and five touchdowns. Connor Walendzak leads the ground game with 110 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries, averaging 8.5 yards per attempt. CJ Miller has added 78 yards and one score.

Adjatay Dabbs has eight receptions for 135 yards and three touchdowns, while Rico Bond has gained 135 yards on four catches with one score. Bryson Hammer has added 86 receiving yards. Toledo’s defense has recorded four sacks and one interception. Isaac Zay leads the Rockets with 19 tackles, one sack and an interception, while Julian Fox has 18 tackles. Caden Camese and Lucas Lambert-Pipkin have each recorded a sack, and Andrew Zock and Zach Johnson have half a sack apiece.

Injuries: T. Kelleher, K. Gilbert Jr. and T. Jones are questionable with undisclosed injuries.

Temple vs Toledo Key to the Game

Temple needs Mason and the rushing attack to consistently move the chains and reduce the pressure on its quarterbacks. The Owls have averaged 5.2 yards per rushing attempt, with Mason producing 6.9 per carry. Toledo has more explosive production through the air, as Richter averages 10.0 yards per attempt and has five touchdown passes. Temple’s defense has created two interception touchdowns, so forcing mistakes could change the game quickly. If Toledo protects the football, its passing attack can make Temple play from behind.

Temple vs Toledo Game Pick

• Toledo -5.5 (-110)

Toledo -5.5 is the pick after the Rockets produced 63 points in their first home game and showed strong balance between the passing and rushing attacks. Richter has thrown for 448 yards with five touchdowns and one interception, while Walendzak averages 8.5 yards per carry. Temple can challenge Toledo with Mason on the ground, but the Owls have only 249 passing yards and one touchdown through the air. Toledo has more explosive options at receiver and should create enough scoring chances to cover at home.

Temple vs Toledo Over/Under Pick

• Over 50.5 (-118)

Over 50.5 is the pick with Toledo coming off a 63-point performance and Temple already showing it can score against a lighter defensive matchup. The Rockets have six passing touchdowns and five rushing scores, with Dabbs and Bond producing 270 combined receiving yards. Temple’s strongest offensive weapon is Mason, who has 234 rushing yards and two touchdowns at 6.9 yards per attempt. Toledo should account for a substantial share of the scoring, while Temple’s rushing attack and defensive scoring ability can help cash the game over 50.5.