Thoughts on the Temple vs. Penn State game

Way back on June 24, I hesistated to write this post because I knew Temple’s first three games were a mine-field.
I knew Temple could just as easily be 0-3 going into Penn State as 3-0.
Even most Temple fans I knew thought the Owls would be 2-1.
I went ahead and wrote the post anyway because I felt this was the year Temple is best-equipped to beat Penn State and it focused on what beating the Lions would mean to the Owls and their long-suffering fans.
Now that the Owls have zig-zagged their way through the mine field, this game should be fun.
The Owls can win this game.If there’s any pressure, it’s not on them but the Lions.
The Lions have quarterback issues.
Temple’s got a good defense.
If Bernard Pierce gets in a groove, the Owls can shorter the game on offense with some clock-consuming drives.
The Owls have a terrific punter and a great place-kicker.
They have six returning all-league players back on defense, so they should be able to contain a Penn State offense that had trouble sustaining drives even against Kent State. Despite the fact that defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio has not been as aggressive as I would like in rushing the passer, I think he’s figured out one of the best ways to win is rattling the true freshman into interceptions and fumbles. So maybe the Owls will change up and bring the heat this week. I trust D’Onofrio whatever he does.  He might be the best coach on the field Saturday.
Chester Stewart, the Owls’ quarterback, has improved slightly with each game and that’s a good sign.
Yeah, this is the year.
Will they get it done?
Hard to say.
This looks to me like a 24-21 game either way.
In that case, I’m glad Brandon McManus is on Temple’s side.

9 thoughts on “Thoughts on the Temple vs. Penn State game

  1. I agree this is the best chance Temple has had to beat PSU in awhile. Probably since 2003 or even the 70's or 80's. But we still have to put some things in perspective here. Now PSU is having a rebuilding year. But when they went to Alabama they held the best offense in the country to only 24 points. Now Temple has to go to PSU and let's face it they will probably need more than 24 to win this game. And let's be honest Temple's offense isn't Alabama's. Especially on the road. Especially since they haven't scored a TD against PSU since 2003. Not saying Temple doesn't have a chance, PSU is a slacker team this year, but it is still a major, major challenge.

  2. I think Temple has a real chance to win this game. Maybe it's only a 10% chance, but that's ten times better than last year and a hundred times better than two years ago. The reason Temple has a chance is because this Owls team has a significant experience advantage. It's a twofold edge in both having more upperclassmen on the field and those upperclassmen having had loads of playing time since they came to Temple and were called upon heavily in the first few years of the Golden Era (when there were fewer scholarships and fewer guys that really wanted to play). The other reason Temple can win is because of their depth and sustained intensity. As we've seen in the first three games, Temple substitutes heavily throughout the game, using a lot of players. The payoff is that in the 4th quarter, they are fresher than their opponent. When you couple that with Temple's hard-hitting style and emphasis on finishing strong, it makes for a very effective 4th quarter push. We're seeing the identity of this team emerge week by week, as we saw last week when then whipped UConn all over the field in the 4th quarter. So, if Temple can keep it close, maybe experience and depth will win out. Plus, as you pointed out, Mike, Temple has very good kickers which is another important factor if the game is tight. I just wish this game wasn't being played in Happy Vally, because you can't underestimate how big an advatange that is for Penn State. Temple has never won in an envorinment like that before. Maybe it will help that a lot of the players have played there already, but to win this game would be a major first time accomplishment. Regardless, I have a good feeling about this game. I think it will be a good game and we'll be happy with the effort, win or lose.

  3. One more thought:It's a damper to talk about this, but I think it's important because it's like the elephant in the room. Suppose Temple does win this game. Would that be the signal to Paterno to step down and the signal to Penn State to hire Al Golden to replace him? I have a strong feeling that it would be.

  4. Trading one Al Golden for one Penn State win is a trade I would make any day of the week. Heck, maybe Penn State doesn't want him. Maybe Tom Bradley is the Anointed One after all.Maybe we get both the win and AG.

  5. The major computer simulations are giving us a 30-36% chance of winning. If this game was at the LINC I couldn't help but think they would be damn near 50%.It's also amazing what's happaned with the spread. It opened up at 16.5, and 24 hours late it dropped 1.5 points. Now were down to 14. I also really dont think a TU win @PSU would be a major catalyst for Golden leaving. In fact, I think that buys us another extra contract extension

  6. Does anyone know if the game is being carried by any stations other than the Big Ten Network in Philly? Or where it can be watched online?(Im heart broken. I had tickets to the game, but I cant get out of starting working at 7 on Saturday)

  7. If you are starting work near Center City, come to Tavern On Broad.If you are starting work near Roxborough, try Applebee's (they have Direct TV) or Graham's Pub (they also get Big 10 network).If you are starting work near the Northeast, there's a big sports bar (forget the name) at Roosevelt and Grant.I will at the game, but I'm hoping to come home and catch it on replay.I think everyone in the country will know who The Franchise is after this game.

  8. Thanks a lot for the info Mike. I actually ended up being able to successfully negotiate with someone to take my shift. So, assuming the bus the Cherry Crusade charted didn't sell out, Ill be watching it in person, wearing my cherry and white and being louder than the loudest 20 PSU fans

  9. Outstanding. Now just give the ball to Bernard and ride this historic win home.

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