Record: 26-26-1
Temple game record: 8-1

As I've said the past few weeks, im stunned at where the Owls are this season. I predicted eight wins for the team but never figured they'd win eight games in a row which is what they can do on Friday night against Akron. For the 2nd straight week the Owls will take on a freshman QB and a team feeling good about themselves.

Temple's offense keeps rolling along behind Bernard Pierce who is single handedly putting the team on his back. Pierce rightfully so should have been on the Doak Walker Semifinalist list but was left off. The change to Chester Stewart is a welcome one BUT he's not exactly Tim Tebow. Stewart provides more of a running threat then statue-like Vaughn Charlton and his accuracy may be better too but he needs a lot of work too. Temple's got wideouts on this team with talent in Harper, Campbell and Vaughn Carraway. They'll face a defense that was gashed thru the air by Kent State who accounted for 377 yards in their loss. I figure Akron to stack 8 or 9 in the box leaving man to man on the outside.

Temple's defense is rock solid up front and in the front seven. They won't let Akron beat them on the ground at all. Not many teams have beaten the Owls thru the ground. It's the air where the problems begin as Temple's secondary preaches cushions. Even though Akron lost Bowser for the season, im sure LaFrance will get his from Nicely. The key is that Temple has to put pressure on the kid early and often because I dont have faith in this secondary at all. Should be noted that Adrian Robinson is up there in sacks in the nation. The Zips allow 2.5 sacks per game.

With regards to this game, I really dont have a good feeling. Temple has been living on borrowed time and by all accounts they should have lost to a poor Ball State team. Akron has a bit of momentum entering this game and hasnt played poorly since the Central Michigan game. I've got a bad feeling for this one as I think there's a good chance Temple loses. The Owls have more talent in this one but the past few times that they have been the better team, they havent covered.

Temple 21-20