Last donation: Heriberto S., McDonough, GA, 4/24/23 (thanks, Heriberto!!) Two on 4/14/23 (thanks to Joe F. and Ross M. ); Tom W., Palm Coast, Fla. 2/18/23 (thanks, Tom!!!)Ed P., Yardley, Pa. (1/9/23; thanks, Ed,) Lawrence S., West Chester, Pa., 12/28/22, our first contribution in over a month (thanks Larry, this will help in having to replace the printer we purchased in the summer that went on the fritz); Bob C., Chadds Ford, Pa., 11/27/22 (thanks Bob, our first contribution since September) Ed P., Perkasie, Pa. who donated 9/24/22 at the UMass game and Ed and I both remember and love Pennridge coach Wayne Helman; Joe S. (Delaware County), 9/3/22 (thanks Joe, hope to see you at Lafayette or RU); James G. (thanks James and for all the great posts you make on this site),, 7/29/22: Matt P. (former Al Golden player, thank you Matt for the generous donation it will be put to good use as we will explain in Monday’s post), 6/9/22; Matt F., Horsham, Pa. (thanks, Matt!!), June 6, 2022; David, B., Milton, DE (thanks, Dave), April 11, 2022: Andy B., Philadelphia, Pa. (our first donation of 2022, thanks Andy), March 3, 2022; Ed P., Yardley, Pa. 12/25/21 (thanks, Ed for the Christmas donation); Matt F., no hometown found (“a celebratory donation for Carey’s firing”), 11/30/21 thanks, Matt; Jon E., Cincinnati, Ohio, 11/29/21 (thanks, Jon for the donation and the great comments on this site); James G., Royersford, Pa. 11/28/21 (thanks, Jim, for the donations and your comments on the website); Anonymous (no home town given but donation really appreciated), 11/20/2021; Roger D., Rehoboth Beach,, Del., 10/24/21; Joe S., Drexel Hill, Pa. 10/3/21 (thanks, Joe) At the BC game (9/18), John from Landenburg (thanks, John for being a great friend of this site for so many years); Three Aug. 21 donations: Eric A (former player), Atlanta, Ga; Anonymous (by request), Cincinnati, Oh; Tim R., Buffalo, N.Y. (sincere thanks to all); David N., Silver Springs, Md (thanks Dave) 7/10/21; former Temple player Matt P., who lives in Columbus, GA now (thanks Matt) 7/9/21; Joe F., Philadelphia (4/7/11, thanks Joe) Matt F., Horsham, Pa., 3/27/21 (thanks, Matt); Jon E., Cincinnati, Ohio (1/31/21, thanks Jon) Ed P.,, Yardley, Pa. (thanks, Ed, much appredicated), 1/16/21; Mitchell S. , 12/21/20, our first contribution since (10/8) earlier, Former Owl Bruce G., Flourtown, Pa, who generously donated $100 in “honor” of the Ambler guy 10/8/20; (if they hate you in Ambler, we love you in Flortown,” BG says). Thanks, BG, we appreciate it; Earlier: James G., Philadelphia (7/21/20, thanks James) Robert B., Philadelphia (7/13/20, thanks, Bob, hope to see you at the tailgates again this fall); Previous: Jon E. from Cincinnati 6/15/20, our first donation this calendar year (thanks, Jon); Earlier, John from Landenberg; Kurt B., Wyomissing Hills, PA (former Temple player, 10-15-19) Earlier: David B. , Springfield, PA (9/26/19 … thanks, Dave!) also John from Landenberg (9/21/19); Tom W., Palm Coast, Fla. (8/22/19, thanks Tom!! Also, 10 days earlier, Bob. C and Joe S. and, on June 26, first bowl MVP Mark B.
Earlier: Matt F., Philadelphia; Matt P. (former Temple player) John from Landenberg and Jon E. from Cincinnati
Jay M. no hometown found ; Earlier: William B. Chicago; John from Landenberg, ; Mark B, South Jersey, Joe S, Springfield, PA…,
Also:
Ed P., Perkasie, Pa; and Richard W. (no hometown given); Phil E., Lorton, Va.; Tim C., no hometown available; Bob C., David B., Springfield (Montco); Mark B., from South Jersey; John from Landenberg, Pa.; Joe S., Primos, PA; Thomas W., Palm Coast Fla; Jon E., Cincinnati; Mike S.,no hometown; Ed P., Yardley; William B., Chicago; Matt M., Philadelphia; Matt T.., Oreland; Kevin H., Philadelphia; John from Landenberg, Pa.; Carl M, Silver Spring, Md.;; Brett K., Swedesboro, N.J.; Joe S., Primos, Pa.; Ed M., Paoli, Pa.; Phil E., Lorton, Va.; Ross M., Garden City, NY; David K., Malvern; Jon E., Cincinnati ; Jon, SE Ohio; Cordalia and Jim S., Eastampton, NJ.; Herb G., Newport News, Va.; Richard W., Royersford; Matt T., Philadelphia, Pa.; MWB, Mechanicsville, Va.; Phil E., Lorton, Va.; K.J., Alexandria, Va.; Jeff D., Philadelphia,; Michael R., Philadelphia,Matt T, Philadelphia, Pa.; Ed M., Paoli, Pa.(8 in a row for 8 in a row, thanks EM); Jake and Diane Gicker, Dunmore, Pa.; Ed M., Paoli, Pa.; Adrian R. Sr., Harrisburg, Pa.; Frank M., Marlton, N.J.; Ernie, Millville, N.J.; ; Jay M., Salem, Ore.; Joe S., Primos, Pa.; Phil E., Lorton, Va; Tom W., Palm Coast, Fla.; Matt M., (five donations in a row); Kevin F., Philadelphia, Pa.;Matt M. (three donations in a row, thanks, Matt); Matt M.; Matt M.; Brian C., Philadelphia, Pa.; Matt M., Hometown ;Unknown; David N., Silver Spring, Md.; Matt M., hometown unknown; Frank K., Horseheads, N.Y.; Mike F., Montauk, N.Y.; John, Landenberg, Pa.; Michael B, D.C.; Joe S., Primos, Pa.; James G., Philadelphia, Pa.; Michael R., Philadelphia, Pa.; David N., Silver Spring (Md.);
Mark H., Gilbertsville, Pa.; Lisa M., Hummelstown, Pa.; Johnny Who, West Chester, Pa.; John T., Medford, N.J. (formerly North Catholic, Philly); Jon, SE Ohio; Jay M., Salem, Ore.; Dan M., Moscow, Pa.; Cyrus, Oklahoma City; Jon E., Cincinnati; Chris K., Harrisburg, Pa.; Chip M., Silver Spring, Md.; Dave B., Springfield, Pa.; Kent J., Alexandria, Va.; Ross M., Garden City, N.Y.; Joe S., Primos, Pa.; Ed F., Philadelphia, Pa.; Frank P., Jamison, Pa.; Jon E., Cincinnati, Ohio; Phil E., Lorton, Va.; Matt G., Haddonfield, N.J.; Tom L., Charlottesville, Va.; Thomas S., Landisville, Pa.; Jack D., Haddonfield, N.J.; Heriberto S., McDonough, Ga; Dr. Jim S., Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; Dick White, Milton, Del.; Matt T., Philadelphia; Jerome S., North Caldwell, N.J.; Mike D., Fairview, N.C.; Tim W., Myerstown, Pa.; Edward P., Yardley, Pa.; Tom W., Palm Coast, Fla.; Kurt B., Wyomissing, Pa.; Joe S., Primos, Pa.; Tom S., East Norriton, Pa.; Jon E., Cincinnati, Ohio; Matt T., Yardley, Pa.; Steve C., West Chester, Pa.; Floyd, Blackwood, N.J.; Jim J., Chalfont, Pa.; John, Landenberg, Pa; Jon E., Cincinnati; Ron A., Camp Hill, Pa.; Jay S., Jenkintown, Mr. John H.; Jonathan N., Atlanta, Ga.; Michael E., Levittown, Pa.; Ted D., Media, Pa. Nick and Sharon, Upper Bucks County; Phil E., Lorton, Va.; Todd H., New York City; Alex H., Westport, CT; Joe S., Primos, PA; Kent J., Alexandria, Va.; Ross M., Garden City, N.Y.; Stanley G., Mountain Top, Pa.; David N., Silver Spring, Md.; Micah F., Philadelphia, Pa.; James S., Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; Tom W., Palm Coast, Fla.; Johnny B. at the Hill Studio, Paulsboro, N.J.; Nick C., Philadelphia; Tom C., Birmingham, Ala.; Phil. E. (Fast Phil), Lorton, Va; Jerome S., North Caldwell, N.J.; Kent J., Alexandria, Va.; George P., Downingtown, Pa.; Edward F., Philadelphia; Bryan S., North East, Pa.; Josh P., West Chester, Pa.; Brent Z., Atlanta, Ga.; David B., Springfield (D), Pa; Lisa M., Hummelstown, Pa.; David H., Pottstown, Pa.; Brian O., Ambler, Pa; Frank P., Jamison, Pa.; Brian C., Philadelphia; Mark B., Manlius, N.Y.; Ted D., Media; Scott J., Columbus, Ohio; Thomas H., Mullica Hill, N.J.; George T., Rehoboth Beach, Del.; Rob G., Fleetwood, Pa; Steve C., West Chester, Pa.; Fred A., St. Augustine, Fla.; Michael S., Westfield, N.J.; John, Landenberg, Pa.; Kent J., Alexandria, Va.; Frank P., Jamison, Pa; Matt G., Basking Ridge, N.J.; Joe S., Primos, PA; Nick and Sharon, Upper Bucks County; John T., Medford, N.J.; Cap P., Finksburg, Md; Coolowl, New York City; Michael B., Washington, D.C.; Oakee, Salem, VA; Rob from Fleetwood; John from New Kensington; Kathyrn, Bloomingville, Ohio; Rockland Owl; Matt, Haddonfield, N.J.; Anthony, New York City; Jason F., Berlin (N.J.); Ed, New Hope; Mark B., Manlius, N.Y.; Mike, Lindenwold, N.J.; Tom C., Birmingham, Ala. Jim, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; Kurt, Wyomissing Hills, PA;
Dave, Ocean City, N.J.; James, Chalfont; Ross, Garden City (N.Y.); Schmitty, Ocean City, N.J.; Sarge (via Schmitty);
Broad Street Leon; Martin, Encino (Calif.); John, Boston; Mike, Susannanoa, N.C.; Francis, Lansdale; Tom L., Charlottesville, Va.; Mark, Gilbertsville, Pa.; Frank, Sebastian, Fla.; George, Toms River, N.J.; Tom, Branchburg, N.J.; Chris, Philly (our first Philly donation!); John, Landenberg, Pa.; Tom S. East Norriton, Pa.;
Temple Football Forever 
Not long ago Temple would have struggled with even this schedule and been viewed as ‘relief’ for some of these sad sacks. It’s nice to have progressed to a point where we’re criticized for having this type of schedule but at the same time it is embarrassing.
The Owls made significant strides last year in beating PSU, taking out a ranked team, taking ND to the wire and winning the conference against a challenging schedule. This year we have only one P5 game and if we lose that game, given strength of schedule, would be hard pressed to crack the top-25. If the Owls go the entire season without getting ranked we would need to win the AAC to claim a more successful season then last year. Given the SOS the Owls will have no moral victories, like the ND game, but will be considered something less then our actual record.
Given the talent on this team and the momentum stemming from last season’s success, a dynamic young coach, potential stadium and recruiting success this slate of games leaves me flat. This is to say nothing of the significant drop off we’re likely to see in attendance given the pedestrian level of our opponents.
Stony Brook and Charlotte don’t entice me to give up late summer Saturdays, even if they will be early kickoffs. Still, these are better than Delaware State, Howard and Fordham (don’t remind me).
Scheduling OOC games these days with a program that is being recognized as a “tough out” is not easy for the AD and staff.
Gee, only the poor schedule is going to keep Temple out of the Final 4? C’mon, we all know Temple’s not ready for that kind of success at this point. One very good (not even great with 4 losses) season and a weak schedule and you think they actually have a chance at true national prominance. Athlon has the Owls rated 2nd in the east division behind USF (who whomped us by 2 touchdowns last season btw) and only an 8-4 regular season record, pre-season. You guys may think they’ll breeze through this schedule, but there are several games that aren’t gimmes. Plus if they think they’re going to win simply by showing up, we could see some more of those Fordham situations. And rating this schedule as the 2nd weakest doesn’t say much for the AAC either. Sorry for the negativity, but with some of the player losses, especially Tyler M, they could struggle a bit this year. I don’t think double digit wins and beating PSU are guarranteed – I sur hope it happens, but….
All I’m saying is if we do get fortunate enough and go 13-0 (not impossible with this sked and the USF game in Philly), we will regret a home game with Stony Brook when we could have had a road game at Rutgers. Back to back road wins over Big 10 schools look a lot better on the resume than a FCS win
I completely agree with your points, including last year being a ‘very good’ but arguably not great season (but for the fact I thought we’d never beat PSU in my lifetime). If we had beaten Houston or beaten a credible P5 school in a bowl game that would be ‘great’.
The Owls are capable of losing any given week but I would be surprised if we didn’t win at least 9 games and challenge for the East AAC. I expect the offense to help control the game while the defense may take a step back but still be more than serviceable with a strong veteran nucleus and some very fast hunger players.
I think there’s also an under appreciation for the losses of TM, Young, and Ionnodis on defense. You don’t replace that talent and leadership with first year starters. I think if things break for the Owls this season we could find ourselves in the bottom tier of the top-25. That would make me very happy. The final four can wait until later.
I would be excessively worried about the losses of TM, MI and TY if we did not have 3 starting linebackers returning nor Kareem Ali Jr., Greg Webb and Karamo D.in waiting. Webb was an All-American JUCO. He’s not a true rookie. Tavon Young is a great cover corner, but did not have an interception last year. If Ali is a slight drop in coverage, he can make up for it in anticipation and interceptions. Plus, putting Sean Chandler at free safety is like putting Willie Mays in centerfield. He covers a lot of ground. The step back is next year, not this year.
I agree with Mike. this year is setup well for Temple. the 3 senior LB will help replace Tyler. the defense will be just as good as last year. and the offense i think will step up. 2017 is the step back year. but Rhule has continued to recruit well.
Athlon also rated the O-line very well, which is good to hear. I guess my skepticism still goes back to decades of failure even when a good season here and there were thrown in. I’m still holding my breath somewhat. It’s hard for me to “expect” success. But I’m also excited to see what Rhule and some staff changes with this talent will produce. Go Owls!
Concern is the other AAC teams seemingly are better than they were last year. It wasn’t like Temple blew them all out of the water in 2015 (other than Memphis). The team will have to realize each week no one is going to be beaten simply because of the uniform across the line from them.
I don’t think Memphis (without Paxton Lynch and with a new coach) will be better nor ECU (new coach, we all saw growing pains in a career assistant when our new coach took over in 2013) nor Cincy (late-season swoon) will be better. I think Temple and USF better, yes. Not seeing overall AAC improvement, though. The teams that should be a little better, like SMU, are poised to take incremental steps, not big ones.
Mike: UConn making strides. Diacco has figured out how to be a head coach and has been recruiting with a plan, rather than bringing in bodies.
Agree with you SMU’s young players are a year bigger, stronger and wiser. UCF won’t be as bad. Memphis should recede after losing QB and coach. ECU played the lefty with the rag arm and it wasn’t easy. Yes, one wonders if Tubs in Cincy hasn’t lost interest. We both agree USF will be ready to host the championship game. Tulane? With focus, they should be put away after 20 minutes, but we know that usually isn’t what happens.
Really not a rocky schedule if a team does all the right things mentally because physically, the Owls can out lift, out run (except USF), and out execute everyone on their schedule.
I think the game being in Philly vs. with being at USF is the key. Temple has got to beat Penn State to create the same kind of attendance buzz and, with a 35K crowd (just like we had for Tulane last year), that could make the difference. USF may be ready to host the title game, but the title game goes through Philadelphia. I think we’ve increased the speed out of defense significantly (the only fast player we lost was Tavon Young) and that should also help beat the dual-threat QB. Beat PSU to get the homefield buzz against USF, and the Owls are ready to host the AAC title game against Houston. The last time we played Houston here it was 23-15 and our quarterback was Connor Reilly. We’ve come a long way.