“Those opps did not come, UNFORTUNATELY.”

_ Kurt Warner, talking about E.J. Warner’s “opportunities” after transferring from Temple

E.J. Warner blew it.

Without saying so, Kurt Warner pretty much said it in as many words the other day.

The word “unfortunately” (our emphasis) says it all.

It looks as though from that one-sentence quote above that Warner was looking for a Power 5 opportunity and had to “settle” for another team in conference, Rice, with the same goals and aspirations as the team he left, Temple.

If it was unfortunate to Kurt that “opps” did not come you’ve got to think that if that information was known before transfer portal time Warner might have remained put.

At best, it’s a lateral move because Temple has had much more success in the sport over the last 15 years than Rice has had. E.J. probably didn’t care.

Unfortunately is a very good word because unfortunately Temple took a huge public relations hit by Warner landing at a fellow conference team at least perceived to be no better than the one he left.

The website Crossing Broad said it was embarrassed for Temple that Warner left for Rice. Long-time college writer Mike Jensen also publicly scratched his head over the move.

Since ultimately the kid (and maybe not the dad) made the final decision, it’s on him. In his mind, Rice was better than Temple and maybe this bowl season backs him up.

You can tell a lot about the state of Temple football by watching these bowl games, even though the Philadelphia Owls haven’t been a participant in a bowl since four years and two days ago. The Houston Owls have been in bowl games the last two seasons.

On Thursday, 6-6 Boston College, the same team that squeaked by Bob Chesney and Holy Cross, 31-28, hammered a team that destroyed Temple, 55-0.

Just goes to show you how far Temple has fallen.

We as fans have seen it.

So apparently has E.J. Warner.

The same people who put a roster together capable of losing 55-0 to a conference foe are still in charge of putting the 2024 roster together.

The defensive coordinator who was in charge of the FIU defense when it allowed 39 points a game and the Temple defense when it allowed 38.7 ppg is still in charge.

Evan Simon is still the projected starting quarterback even though both Matt Sluka and Reece Poffenbarger are still in the portal and remained unclaimed.

Can’t give anyone the warm and fuzzies about TU’s 2024 chances.

Let’s hope E.J. didn’t make the right decision. Hell, I hope A.J. Padgett beats him out for the starting job and E.J. rides the pine for the rest of his career. It won’t make Temple look any better if E.J. shines there.

Right now, though, unfortunately, E.J. looks like he’s made the right decision. It’s up to Drayton to prove him wrong by bringing in a lot more talent than he already has. This current roster is about one dynamite quarterback and a half-dozen starters short of, say, Rice.

Monday: What’s The Holdup?