Temple vs Penn State Prediction & Betting Tips for Week 2 on 9/12/2026

The Penn State Nittany Lions are set to play against the Temple Owls in Week 2 of the 2026 Regular Season. The game will take place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA, with kickoff scheduled for 12:00 PM and will be televised on ESPN2. Both teams come into this matchup with a 1-0 record, each having secured a victory in their respective season openers.

Penn State, ranked 18th in the AP poll, is coming off a commanding 45-0 victory over Marshall, showcasing their dominance on both sides of the ball. The Nittany Lions will be playing their first road game of the season, looking to continue their early momentum. On the other hand, Temple secured a win against Rhode Island with a 38-14 scoreline, benefiting from a strong rushing attack that amassed 231 yards.

With Penn State as heavy favorites, according to the consensus odds, the Nittany Lions are expected to maintain their strong form. Temple, however, will aim to leverage their home-field advantage to challenge their higher-ranked opponent. Both teams have yet to play a conference game this season, adding further intrigue to their non-conference showdown.

Temple vs Penn State At a Glance

• Game Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 12:00 PM
• Venue: Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA
• TV Channel: ESPN2
• Penn State Record: 1-0, ranked #18 in AP
• Temple Record: 1-0
• Game Odds: Penn State favored by 24 points

Temple Owls Set to Defend Their Nest Against Penn State

Offensive Insights

The Temple Owls' offensive performance in the 2026 season has seen them score 38 points, positioning them 31st in the rankings. Their rushing attack has been more effective, with 231 yards, ranking 42nd overall. However, the passing game is lagging, with just 142 yards, placing them at 113rd.

In their last game against the Rhode Island Rams, Temple racked up 231 rushing yards. This ground attack will be a key element in their upcoming game against Penn State, aiming to capitalize on their strong running game.

Defensive Dominance

Defensively, Temple has only allowed 14 points this season, earning them the 10th spot in the rankings. They have excelled in creating turnovers, with 2 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery, ranking 3rd and 2nd respectively. Their ability to pressure the quarterback is evident with 2 sacks, positioning them 6th.

This stout defense will be pivotal against Penn State, especially in neutralizing their offensive threats. With the Owls' defensive unit in top form, they will aim to disrupt Penn State's rhythm and maintain their defensive edge.

Key Players to Watch

Ajani Sheppard leads the quarterback position, having thrown for 85 yards on 10 attempts. Jaxon Smolik adds depth with 57 yards and a touchdown. Their performances will be crucial in Temple's passing strategy.

Keveun Mason stands out in the backfield with 158 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. His dynamic running style will be essential for sustaining Temple's offensive drives. Jayce Freeman has also made an impact with a touchdown catch, contributing to the receiving corps.

Injury Report

Cornerback Devontae Ward-Grant is out for the season with a torn ACL. Wide receiver Rameir Hardy and quarterback Lamar Best are both questionable, dealing with core and ankle injuries respectively. Their availability could influence Temple's strategy and depth.

Betting Trends

• SU - As Favorite: 14-0 in last 14 games
• O/U - As Favorite: 5-0 in last 5 games
• O/U - Away Games: 8-1 in last 9 games
• ATS - After Loss: 12-3 in last 15 games
• O/U - After Win: 7-1 in last 8 games
• ATS - As Favorite: 6-1 in last 7 games

Penn State Nittany Lions Prepare for Road Challenge

Quarterback Spotlight

Rocco Becht leads Penn State's offense as the starting quarterback. In the opening game against Marshall, Becht completed 18 passing attempts, amassing 271 yards and four touchdowns. His performance showcases his capability to drive the offense effectively.

Backup quarterback Alex Manske also contributed in the first game with 57 passing yards from eight attempts. Although Manske didn't score any touchdowns, his presence provides depth to the quarterback position.

Running Back Overview

Cam Wallace spearheads Penn State's ground game, recording 42 rushing yards and one touchdown in their first outing. His ability to find the end zone adds a dynamic element to the rushing attack.

Quinton Martin Jr. and Carson Hansen provide additional options in the backfield. Martin Jr. rushed for 38 yards and a touchdown, while Hansen led the team with 48 rushing yards, showcasing a balanced approach to their running game.

Receiving Corps Analysis

Koby Howard emerged as a key target in the passing game, with 161 receiving yards and a touchdown. His performance ranks him among the top receivers for Penn State in their first game.

Brett Eskildsen and Zay Robinson also made significant contributions. Eskildsen recorded 48 yards and a touchdown, while Robinson added 39 receiving yards and a touchdown to his stats, proving the depth of the receiving unit.

Tight End Contributions

Benjamin Brahmer was effective as a tight end, catching one pass for eight yards and a touchdown. His ability to find the end zone in the red zone is a valuable asset for the team.

Andrew Rappleyea also chipped in with 18 receiving yards. Both tight ends provide solid options for the quarterback in passing situations.

Penn State Betting Trends

• SU - As Favorite: Last 30 Games (2023–2026) → 27-3 (90.0%)
• SU - After Win: Last 30 Games (2022–2026) → 25-5 (83.3%)
• SU - Totals ≥ 50: Last 24 Games (2022–2026) → 20-4 (83.3%)
• O/U - Away Games: Last 8 Games (2024–2025) → 7-1 (87.5%)
• ATS - Away Games: Last 28 Games (2020–2025) → 18-10 (64.3%)

Temple vs Penn State Prediction: Penn State -24

Penn State enters this game as a strong favorite with a spread of -24. The Nittany Lions' performance in their previous game, a 45-0 victory over Marshall, highlights their potent offense and stout defense. Ranked 18th in the AP Poll, Penn State's ranking reflects their strength and talent on both sides of the ball.

Temple comes off a 38-14 win over Rhode Island, demonstrating a solid offensive capability. However, facing a top-20 team like Penn State presents a much tougher challenge. Despite their home-field advantage at Lincoln Financial Field, the Owls are significant underdogs at +24, reflecting the disparity in talent and current form.

Penn State's ability to score, combined with their defense that allowed zero points in their last outing, suggests they can cover the spread against Temple. The Nittany Lions' offensive rank of 24th in points for and their defensive rank of 1st in points against further supports their dominance.

The projected final score leans heavily in favor of Penn State, expected to exploit Temple's defense while limiting the Owls' offensive opportunities. With the Nittany Lions' recent form and the Owls facing a considerable step up in competition, Penn State should comfortably cover the spread.

• Temple vs Penn State Prediction: Penn State -24
• Temple vs Penn State Score: Penn State 41 - Temple 10

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