Temple picked to edge Alabama-Birmingham despite rank gap

Versus projects a 26-24 Temple win, a two-point margin that gives the Owls a 54 percent chance despite sitting 43 spots behind Alabama-Birmingham in the FBS rankings, Temple at No. 131 and the Blazers at No. 88.

Alabama-Birmingham carries a C overall grade with a defensive rank of 90, though its offense carries a D+ grade and an offensive rank of 115. The Blazers have scored far more freely at home than they have on the road this season, a trend working against them as the visitor here. All four of their losses this season have come against teams with winning records.

Temple's D- overall grade reflects a 2-7 record, but the Owls have kept games tight, with no opponent beating them by more than 18 points even as they sit 1-5 in one-score contests. Both teams faced South Florida this season, with Alabama-Birmingham losing by 20 and Temple winning by 4, numbers that help explain why Versus sees this one as close as the projection suggests.

The game counts in the American Athletic Conference standings, with both programs looking for separation in a crowded part of the league.