A Little Temple, A Little M. Night

Temple is going to be a 10-2 team this year, that much is clear.  Fortunately for Lions fans, one of those two losses will be to Penn State.

Here's the deal, Temple is becoming a real football powerhouse in the MAC, which is a little bit like being the best M. Night Shyamalan movie since the Village; it might be somewhat captivating like Lady in the Water, but when its competition is the Happening and the movie with that kid from Slumdog, we're not really saying anything.

Al Golden is onto something though.  He's bringing in good players, teaching them discipline, but most remarkably of all, he's also brought a winning attitude to a program that only a few years ago would have elicited questions like:  "wait, Temple has a football team?"  Now, there are billboards along 95 and the Blue Route, selling the Owls as a Football Juggernaut.  It's an interesting story to be sure, and I'm convinced that Temple will be in a major conference in the next five years, as long as Al Golden stays.  I think he will stay too, because I don't think he's going to get the Penn State job.  His cocky attitude and underdog demeanor have fit perfectly at Temple, and I don't foresee him leaving Temple until he's finished the season ranked.

But, even an interesting story can't lead Temple to a victory at Beaver Stadium, but that doesn't mean I'm not concerned.  I watched the Kent State game, and I know that Bolden isn't there yet.  He has too much skill for his own good, like Pryor in a way.  He thinks he can make any throw, make any run, and he always trusts his instincts to make the right decision.  How many times did we see him throw into double coverage during the last game?  He threw into triple coverage at least two times.  I'm not concerned about his development, but I'm slowly concerned about the hype.  He will be the greatest passer in Penn State history, but he just won't be tomorrow.

The Owls are coming off of a big win over UConn, which would mean something, if UConn looked anything like they are supposed to look this year.  But a win like that, even over an opponent who turns out to be overrated, still builds momentum.  I look to see the Owls come out fired up, and I even think that they'll have the lead by a field goal or a touchdown at some point in the first half.  Penn State won't hold them without a touchdown this time around, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the Owls offense look strong.  But Bernard Pierce isn't going to run for 169 yards and 3 TDs this week, like he did last week, and the Penn State defense is going to shut the Owls down for the middle half of the game, while the Lions Offense builds a lead.

Penn State will win this game by two scores, but it's going to be a dogfight in the Valley, and just when I start feeling comfortable about the win, the Owls will do something to make it interesting again.  I am looking forward to this game as a good test for the Lions.

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