Temple University Looks To Challenge In The MAC
by: Brad Diamond Sports
As an urban and land grant institution Temple sits on 110 acres in the middle of Philadelphia, one of the largest cities in the country. With all the amenities of a big time school Temple has failed in recent years to bring about a consistency that puts alumni, students and fans in the seats of Lincoln Financial Field to see their football team. However, with the arrival of head coach Al Golden in 2006 a formative structure has been set in place. In 2009 we expect some improvement over the recent 5-7 campaign. Since HC Golden has been at Temple the Owls have put together a combined 10-26 record, but we must note a 1-11 season in 2006 illustrates how far the University has come inside their football program.
In 2008 Temple became a full-time MAC opponent and now battles teams like Miami Ohio, Ohio University and Western Michigan on a weekly basis. The Owls brain trust pulled off a beauty in non-conference scheduling by adding Army and Navy the last two years, and again in 2009. Temple can be competitive with these programs on a consistent basis. This season Villanova (right outside Philadelphia) has been added to give a more natural local flavor to the college football scene, while increasing fan and media interest. With 50 lettermen returning along with 15 starters the Owls should build on their recent successes. Coach Al Golden continues to recruit well considering he is flying in the face of Maryland, Penn State, Pitt, Rutgers and Syracuse.
The more definitive issue for Temple since Golden took over was a porous defense. In 2006 Temple allowed 41.3 points per game almost last in the country, but 2008 had the stoppers yielding just 23.1. This is an amazing turnaround, but one must consider in 2006 Temple played Louisville (0-62), Minnesota (0-62), Clemson (9-63), Penn State (0-47) and Navy (6-42). With the 9 starters returning, DC Mike D’Onfrio the former Green Bay assistant should have yards per play decreasing from the inception of the season. The most definitive area of concern, offensively, is quarterback where Adam DiMichele has graduated along with his 2,000 yards in total offense. In addition, the losses at wide receiver will make this club a run first entity this season. So, expect the MAC defenses to stack the line of scrimmage looking to keep the Owls in difficult down and distance situations. On special teams Travis Shelton graduated and has left an opening for one of the underclassmen to take charge. We’ve heard in spring practice from one of our contacts that this area will show marked improvement?
Since Philadelphia is not a college football town playing the confines of spacious Lincoln Financial Field can be difficult. Simply, the Owls don’t have the fan base to create a true home field advantage. Last season, Temple lost to UConn 12-9 (OT), 7-3 to Western Michigan, defeated Ohio 14-10, E. Michigan 55-52 and Akron 27-6. The largest crowd was the Western Michigan game that brought 17,624 fans through the South Philadelphia gates. UConn did bring a group of 17,194 and that was in a wind driven rain storm. By the way, the Owls lost three games on the last play from the line of scrimmage. Who can ever forget the game in Buffalo?
The 2009 scheduling structure did nothing to assist the development of the Golden Owls. Temple starts off with Villanova on Labor Day weekend, catches a week of rest, and then drives to Penn State again. Temple does return home for a revenge game versus the Bulls the very next week. So, their physical condition will dictate how they fare versus Buffalo, In late October, Temple goes to Toledo and Navy, and then returns home on a short week to face Miami Ohio on Thursday. That three game set could determine whether the program has a winning season.
Point Spread Observations
Based on current facts and circumstances, the Owls look good against Penn State who will be breaking in a new wide receiving corpse, meaning we need four touchdowns to make a play. Last season the Lions -28 ½ rolled 45-3! The following week at home Temple will handle Buffalo in what should be a low scoring defensive struggle. Finally, the Owls go on the road in late November to play a night game in Athens, Ohio. The Bobbies are setting up for a major payback, and HC Solich is loaded this season!