A quick look at Temple (5-3, 2-2), which plays USF (4-4, 2-2) Thursday at 8 at Raymond James Stadium

1. These guys aren’t very consistent either

Temple coach Rod Carey shakes hands with Maryland counterpart Mike Locksley following the Owls' 20-17 victory in Philadelphia on Sept. 14. [ CHRIS SZAGOLA | AP ]

This weeknight ESPN contest has evolved (or regressed) into a schizophrenic matchup of sorts, with neither team brandishing much consistency.

Temple’s quintet of victories includes a 30-28 triumph against No. 19 Memphis and a 20-17 win against Maryland when the Terrapins were ranked. But the Owls were thumped by middle-of-the-road MAC foe Buffalo, 38-22, and surrendered 35 unanswered points in a 63-21 home loss to UCF 10 days ago.

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The Owls haven’t allowed more than 28 points in any of their five wins, but have surrendered an average of 48.7 in their three defeats.

2. Run game in a rut

The Owls rank 11th in the American Athletic Conference in rushing offense (138.5 ypg), and totaled 114 yards on the ground in recent consecutive losses to SMU and UCF. While Temple clearly missed center Matt Hennessy (concussion) against the Knights, it managed only 69 yards in the previous week’s 45-21 loss at SMU.

MORE BULLS: USF quarterback Jah’Quez Evans’ status for Temple uncertain

3. They also use two QBs

Temple quarterback Todd Centeio (16) scrambles during the first half of the Owls' 30-28 victory against Memphis on Oct. 12. [ CHRIS SZAGOLA | AP ]

We’re putting the over-under on quarterbacks likely to play in this game at 3.5. Like the Bulls, who will employ Jah’Quez Evans in a wildcat situation if he’s healthy, the Owls mix things up behind center.

Anthony Russo, a 6-foot-4 pocket passer, is the starter, but the Owls also utilize mobile Palm Beach Gardens native Todd Centeio.

Russo ranks in the middle of the AAC pack in passing yardage (234.1 ypg) and efficiency (128.9), having thrown twice as many TDs (16) as picks (eight). He owns a pair of 400-yard passing efforts in his career (including last season’s 52-40 loss to UCF), but is one of the least-mobile quarterbacks USF will see.

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That’s where Centeio comes in. Though he has only 60 yards on 27 carries, the 6-1 redshirt sophomore is capable of creating outside the pocket. He also can throw (17-for-23, 230 yards, one TD). As a senior at Dwyer High in 2016, he passed for more than 2,300 yards and 31 TDs.

4. Receivers in triplicate

Russo has three primary passing targets, two of them quite rangy. Six-foot sophomore Jadan Blue (44 receptions), 6-5 redshirt junior Branden Mack (43) and 6-2 senior Isaiah Wright (42) rank fourth, fifth and seventh in the AAC, respectively, in receptions per game.

MORE BULLS: USF men’s hoops standout Alexis Yetna out for season

5. Still ‘Temple TUFF’

Temple linebacker Shaun Bradley (5) and defensive end Zack Mesday (10) stop Maryland running back Anthony McFarland Jr. (5) near the goal line during the second half of the Owls' 20-17 triumph. [ CHRIS SZAGOLA | AP ]

The Owls’ tradition of awarding single-digit jerseys to its toughest players (who also best represent the program) has been embraced by first-year coach Rod Carey.

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Among the single-digit dudes are Mack, Wright and senior linebackers Shaun Bradley (team-high 53 tackles), Chapelle Russell and Sam Franklin. That trio anchors an Owls defense that plays out of a 4-3 base alignment and has allowed opponents to convert on third down only 33.6 percent of the time.