Game of the YEAR
on October 18, 2012 at 11:37 amAnd no, I’m not talking about the game last week against UConn which was, up to this point, the game of the year thus far for the owls… and I’m not talking about the homecoming game two weeks ago that was INCREDIBLE… I’m talking about the game that will be played in a little over 48 hours at Lincoln Financial Field. #17/#19/#15/#? Rutgers comes to town in what people are calling the “Border Rivalry”. Rutgers was picked by many (not me) to win the Big East this season and go to a coveted BCS bowl game. They enter the game undefeated this season behind a very good defense and an offense that can score when necessary. One thing stands out so far this season for Rutgers though, they haven’t played a team with a winning record.
Temple enters the contest with such a record, 3-2 (2-0 in the Big East). Coming off of two high emotion contests and their first ever back-to-back Big East victories, the Temple Owls are young, talented and now, confident. Everywhere I look I see Big East fans and Rutgers fans marking this game up as just another stepping stone for the Scarlet Knights to get to their matchups against Cincinnati and Louisville (also currently undefeated, top 25 teams). Of course the Big East lovers out there what Rutgers to be undefeated and have a high ranking; it equals more money, more exposure and more fans. This, of course, makes Rutgers fans and thus, their team, a bit egotistical and cocky. I’ve already seen it in the forums and all over the media. I LOVE IT.
Let’s have Rutgers come to town with their 15k fans and come in expecting to walk over the Owls. Nothing would make the Owls happier than a team thinking they
Artist depiction of me on Saturday morning
don’t have to play tough against them. Temple will come to play this game, they will be physical, they will run the ball and they will hit you in the mouth. Ladies and gentlemen, this game is for 1st place in the Big East standings!! The big question coming into the game, really the only on-field match-up worth mentioning today, is the second nationally ranked rush defense versus the second ranked Big East rushing attack. This game comes down to that and that alone. If Temple can move the ball again like they did last week against UConn (who, coming into the game, had the second ranked Big East rush defense) then we’ll see this game become close, very close. Close enough to make Rutgers fans, Big East homers and everyone at home watching on their TVs sweat profusely. I expect a hard-nosed game right off the bat and at this point, I expect a down-to-the-wire win! Let’s Go Owls!
Prediction:
Rutgers 24
Temple 27
Let’s talk really quickly about what’s happened the last two weeks. The homecoming win against USF was incredible and obviously gave the team a ton of confidence heading into the bout with UConn this past week. If you look closely, and if you’re an Eagles fan you may have noticed, you’ll see that each weekend both the Eagles and the Owls were setup in very similar situations to end their respective games.
- To beat USF, the Owls needed to block or force them to miss a field goal within the final two minutes of the game. Temple blocked the field goal and ended up with an icing touchdown to seal the deal.
- The very next day, the Eagles were put into the same situation late in the game. The big difference is that the Eagles did not block the field goal or force them to miss, instead it sailed through the uprights and into the books as a loss.
- This past weekend, the Temple Owls marched down the field and scored a late touchdown to tie the game. In overtime they once again forced a kicker to miss their attempt and all it took for the victory was the Big East special teams player of the week (and arguably the best kicker in Temple history) Brandon McManus to line up and kick a field goal for the Owls second straight victory.
- Then on the following day, the Eagles blew a large 4th quarter lead and eventually were forced into overtime where, unlike the Owls, they faltered once again and lost by a field goal.
Todd Bowles Repping TU at his Introductory Presser!
(Photo courtesy of Steven M. Falk)
4 games. 2 Wins for the Owls and 2 losses for the Eagles. All those games could have gone very differently in the final 2 minutes. Instead the Owls are sitting 2-0 in the Big East while the Eagles are firing lead personnel. But not to worry Eagles fans! Apparently the Eagles took notice and wanted in on the winning ways of the Owls so they promoted ex-Temple Owl standout Todd Bowles to Defensive Coordinator! Oh happy days, maybe now some of that late game mojo that the Owls have been having will rub off on the other birds of Philadelphia…
Now Let’s talk tailgate!!
This weekend will be our largest tailgate to date! The Owlbulance will be in top form and we’ll be down at the stadiums at 7am!! Come join the Graduate Owl Club and the Owlbulance Crew as we throw the best tailgate in Lot K! We’ll have kegs, power hour, Mario Kart tournaments and FOOD! All this for less than what 2 beers cost inside the stadium.
The Menu:
- Baked Ziti (Meat and no meat)
- Homemade Chili
- Meatball sandwiches
- Sausage with peppers
- and World Famous Captain Crunch Chicken Tenders!
- Plus more!
Come one, come all! This is not the game that you want to miss! Plus the weather now looks GREAT!
Football Weather!
