Last donation: Ed P., Yardley, Pa. (1/9/23; thanks, Ed,, your generosity is greatly appreciated) 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 
very thought provoking piece.., really brings to home what Big Time College Football Coaches are all about: 1. Out recruit your conference. 2. Develop the student athletes in your program. 3. Win the sideline war on Saturday.
AG did 1 and 2 well, but struggled with 3.
MR eventually managed to do all three equally well.
Looking back, what did Collins really do well?
The HC is 100% responsible and accountable for recruiting. Temple will fail if they are pinning all their hopes on the shoulders of Fran Brown. The HC and the other coaches must out-recruit Brown if Temple is going to show up in future drafts.
Dunphy did not out recruit the AAC and now he sits at home. Carey will be on the sofa sooner than later if he can’t out recruit the AAC.
Strength of Schedule Rankings:
This was on CBS Sports. Looks as if the Owls schedule is considered fairly weak. I assume that the bar is higher for Coach Carey than any of his predecessors. 9 wins sounds like a minimum?
AMERICAN STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE RANKINGS
1
team logo TULSA
Tulsa will play two Power Five opponents and no FCS foes in its nonconference schedule, which gives it a leg up on a lot of its AAC counterparts. The Hurricanes open the season with road games against Michigan State and San Jose State before returning home for Oklahoma State and Wyoming. Then it’s a bye before conference play opens with six games in six weeks. The sixth game will likely be the most difficult, as UCF will come to H.A. Chapman Stadium, and so will Memphis two weeks before that and Navy two weeks before Memphis. Houston also comes to Tulsa, so if there’s good news, it’s that all of what look to be the toughest conference games this year are at home.
2
team logo TULANE
Tulane has one of the more difficult noncon schedules in the AAC. The Wave open with FIU but then hit the road for Auburn. A week later, it’s Missouri State, but there’s also a road trip to Army at the beginning of October. The cross-divisional draw doesn’t do any favors, either. Sure, there’s UConn at home, but there’s also Temple and UCF in back-to-back weeks in mid-November. The Wave will also be on the road in consecutive weeks against Memphis and Navy.
3
team logo CINCINNATI
The top four schedules in the AAC aren’t separated by much, and Cincinnati could easily end up with the most difficult schedule in the conference by the time the season ends. It would only make sense seeing as how the season opens with UCLA at home and a road game against Ohio State. Miami (OH) shouldn’t be a problem, but a road trip to Marshall could prove tricky too. Conference play opens with UCF at home and a road trip to Houston, but then things take a bit of a break with Tulsa, East Carolina and UConn. The homestretch won’t be fun, as it includes a road game against USF, home for Temple, and then back on the road against Memphis.
4
team logo HOUSTON
Houston’s schedule is in a similar position to Cincinnati’s, as it could prove to be a lot more complicated than my projections have it. The reason is that Cincinnati is coming off an 11-win season, but it’s 19-18 the last three years, so it doesn’t carry as much weight. Still, the Cougars will have to play at Oklahoma, Washington State, at North Texas, Cincinnati, at UCF and against Memphis this season. You could easily argue there isn’t another team in the AAC with a top six like that when it comes to toughest opponents. As for why it’s fourth, it’s also dragged down a bit by games against Prairie View A&M and UConn.
5
team logo SMU
The noncon is respectable, if not daunting. The Mustangs open with a road game against Arkansas State before returning home to face North Texas and Texas State. Then it’s a trip to TCU before AAC play opens with USF on the road and home for Tulsa. Then, after six games, the Mustangs will have their first bye before a tough stretch against Temple, Houston and Memphis.
6
team logo SOUTH FLORIDA
The Bulls have a tough noncon. They’re playing Wisconsin, Georgia Tech and BYU (as well as SC State), but at least both Wisconsin and BYU come to Tampa. The cross-divisional draw could have been a lot worse, though. Yes, the Bulls will get Memphis (again, in Tampa), but SMU and Navy aren’t killers. Finally, the road schedule isn’t too difficult. There’s the regular season finale at UCF, but other than that, the road schedule is Georgia Tech, UConn, East Carolina and Navy.
7
team logo NAVY
Navy only won three games last season, and after a first glimpse at this schedule, I like their chances of improving on that total. The season begins with Holy Cross before a bye, a home game against East Carolina, and then another bye before a road trip to Memphis. That Memphis game is the start of a six-week stretch that won’t be easy but does offer an opportunity for wins at home against Air Force and Tulane, as well as a road game against UConn. The arduous stretch begins after another bye when Navy will travel to Notre Dame on Nov. 16, return home for SMU, hit the road again for Houston and then finish the season in Philadelphia against Army.
8
team logo UCF
UCF plays its toughest noncon schedule of the CFP era, but will it be enough to impress the committee? Even with it, the Knights only finish eighth here. A home game against Stanford is huge, but I don’t know how much weight Florida A&M, at FAU and at Pitt is going to carry unless FAU and Pitt make drastic improvements this season. UCF’s schedule is also hurt by not having Memphis on it this season, as the Knights draw Houston, Tulsa and Tulane from the West. Cincinnati on the road should be a test, as should Temple, and the season ends with The War on I-4 against USF in Orlando.
9
team logo EAST CAROLINA
A road game against NC State’s a difficult start to the season, but the rest of the noncon features two FCS opponents in Gardner-Webb and William & Mary, as well as a road trip to Old Dominion. Outside of NC State, the toughest tests will be in conference play as the Pirates must hit the road (open seas?) to take on both Navy and UCF, and get Temple, USF and Cincinnati at home.
10
team logo CONNECTICUT
Typically UConn would get a boost in my projections because it doesn’t play itself, and the Huskies are a bottom five team in my rankings over the last three seasons. But while UConn plays two Big Ten opponents this season, those two teams are Illinois and Indiana, which don’t carry a lot of weight. Nor do two other noncon games against Wagner and UMass. Still, there are road games against UCF, Cincinnati and Temple, so it’s not like it’ll be easy for the Huskies.
11
team logo TEMPLE
The noncon doesn’t do a whole lot to move the needle, though Maryland and Georgia Tech will both provide tests, but both will come to Philly. A road trip to Buffalo could prove tricky, but I don’t think anybody is worried about Bucknell. In conference, the Owls also get UCF and Memphis at home but do have to go on the road for tough games against USF and Cincinnati in November.
12
team logo MEMPHIS
In theory, a season-opener against Ole Miss should carry a lot of weight. Unfortunately for Memphis, Ole Miss has gone 16-20 the last three seasons and only ranks as the No. 84 team in the country in my rating system over that span. The rest of the noncon doesn’t help, either, as it’s Southern, South Alabama and UL-Monroe. In AAC play, the Tigers also benefit by avoiding UCF, but they will get Temple, Houston and USF on the road.
Cincy, UCF, and Memphis have more talent as a result of superior recruiting classes over the last three years.
Games vs USF, UM, and Ga Tech could go either way.
8 wins plus a bowl game win would be great.