SEAN MURPHY
Central Michigan @ Temple
PICK: Temple -7
Now that this line has reached a flat '7', I'm stepping in with a play on the Temple Owls.
Central Michigan is the defending MAC champion, but make no mistake, this isn't the same Chippewa team that won the crown last December.
It's not easy to replace a do-everything player like QB Dan LeFevour, nor is it easy to replace your top two receivers, not to mention your best defender, all while ushering in a new head coach and brand new offensive scheme.
Still, the Chippewas prevailed by a lopsided 33-0 margin in their opener, albeit against an FCS squad in Hampton.
Here's where the road gets tougher for the Chips. They're heading to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to take on the favorite to win this year's MAC title, the Temple Owls. Temple got its season off to a fine start, pulling out a 31-24 win over Villanova last week. Villanova may be an FCS team, but keep in mind, they might just be the best FCS team in the country.
The Owls return virtually all of the key pieces from last year's team, a team that at one point reeled off nine straight victories. Their offense is probably the most complete in the entire MAC, and their defense is highly underrated. They may have allowed 24 points against Villanova last week, but they did hold them to 311 total yards on just 4.3 yards per rush and an even more impressive 6.1 yards per pass play.
This is a game Temple needs to have if it wants to consider itself the best in the MAC. Central Michigan is still a quality team, but they're a year away from challenging for the conference crown again. Look for the Owls to put this one away in the second half. Take Temple.