Temple Game Early Thoughts

[stneumann83]

It's been 26,974 days since Temple beat Penn State 14-0. Since then Temple has only managed to tie Penn State once and has lost 32 consecutive games since. So naturally, I think most would expect for us to win this game easily....and while I do believe another victory is in store for the Blue & White, I have an uneasy feeling this game will be closer than most of us would hope for.
Temple just completed their first summer scrimmage over the weekend and aside from the usual coach talk "we have a long way to go" the fact that sticks out to me the most is that Temple is a team which returns about 19 starters from a team that was snubbed last season from a bowl game. While our o-line has a "chip" on their shoulder, the entire Temple program has a chip on their shoulders and really the Owls really want a victory to make the case at the end of the season that they deserve post season play. Plus they are playing a team that they loath. It's not just a chance to end over 70 years of frustration, it's a chance to put them on a path to a bowl, a chance to beat the Big Brother. Last time we made the trip to the Linc, Penn State had to win the game in the 11th hour.
In short this game has me very nervous but as a student of history, I have to take Penn State in this one. 24-10 PSU.

 

[WDLion]

It's been 26,974 days since Temple beat Penn State 14-0. Since then Temple has only managed to tie Penn State once and has lost 32 consecutive games since. So naturally, I think most would expect for us to win this game easily....and while I do believe another victory is in store for the Blue & White, I have an uneasy feeling this game will be closer than most of us would hope for.
Temple just completed their first summer scrimmage over the weekend and aside from the usual coach talk "we have a long way to go" the fact that sticks out to me the most is that Temple is a team which returns about 19 starters from a team that was snubbed last season from a bowl game. While our o-line has a "chip" on their shoulder, the entire Temple program has a chip on their shoulders and really the Owls really want a victory to make the case at the end of the season that they deserve post season play. Plus they are playing a team that they loath. It's not just a chance to end over 70 years of frustration, it's a chance to put them on a path to a bowl, a chance to beat the Big Brother. Last time we made the trip to the Linc, Penn State had to win the game in the 11th hour.
In short this game has me very nervous but as a student of history, I have to take Penn State in this one. 24-10 PSU.

It's been 26,974 days since Temple beat Penn State 14-0. Since then Temple has only managed to tie Penn State once and has lost 32 consecutive games since. So naturally, I think most would expect for us to win this game easily....and while I do believe another victory is in store for the Blue & White, I have an uneasy feeling this game will be closer than most of us would hope for.
Temple just completed their first summer scrimmage over the weekend and aside from the usual coach talk "we have a long way to go" the fact that sticks out to me the most is that Temple is a team which returns about 19 starters from a team that was snubbed last season from a bowl game. While our o-line has a "chip" on their shoulder, the entire Temple program has a chip on their shoulders and really the Owls really want a victory to make the case at the end of the season that they deserve post season play. Plus they are playing a team that they loath. It's not just a chance to end over 70 years of frustration, it's a chance to put them on a path to a bowl, a chance to beat the Big Brother. Last time we made the trip to the Linc, Penn State had to win the game in the 11th hour.
In short this game has me very nervous but as a student of history, I have to take Penn State in this one. 24-10 PSU.

Temple game won't be easy. Probably be decided by the team that makes the fewest mistakes.

 

[simons96]

Temple is talented and experienced, certainly not an opponent to be overlooked.

But I think PSU is VASTLY improved from last season, with a hearty stock of talented receivers. and Zettel. jeez that guy just scares me. I just don't see their offense being able to break out.

 

[tboyer]

Obviously PSU will match up athletically very well at most spots. Temple has the experience edge at a lot of spots.

Seems to me there are two ways Temple wins this game.

1) The PSU OL is still not in good shape. They may not have anyone who is really ready to play LT. Franklin's comments indicate Paris Palmer is not ready, it seems unlikely to me Chance Sorrell would be ready. So do they move Nelson over and have to fill RT, or do they move one of the guards? In any case the 2nd most important position on the PSU offense is a potentially serious problem. If the OL can't protect Hackenburg, can't keep a good Temple DL out of the backfield, you simply can't run an offense. It won't be a replay of 2014 but it could easily be shades of 2014.

2) Turnovers. PSU is going to be playing some young backs, and one thing almost all young backs do is produce fumbles. They misread plays, they line up wrong, they expect a handoff when the QB is expecting a fake. And -- related to #1 above -- if the Temple DL is in the PSU backfield a lot of the time, that will produce fumbles and INTs if Hack starts to press.

How does PSU win the game?

1) Turnovers -- This is the most talented PSU secondary in a long, long time. I can't even tell you how long. When they round into form -- which may not be this game, but it will be this season -- they are going to produce turnovers. Meanwhile the DL might be strong -- Franklin has had very positive things to say about the DEs. And the LB play could be better than last year -- if only because Bell and Wartman are healthy and Cabinda looks to be a very physical linebacker.

2) Big plays. I really don't expect the PSU offense to be able to sustain drives. But the kind of speed PSU is going to have at TB and wideout -- it is top end college speed. The Temple D is experienced and smart but they will have trouble with that speed if PSU can get the ball to fast people in space. Allen, Scott, Barkley have broken off long TDs in practice against fast PSU secondary personnel. They can do that against Temple if the PSU offensive coaches can manage to create the right situations.

 

[bmw199]

Temple's offense is going to have a really long day. I expect the D to dominate. I think the running game will be vastly improved. We will by 18.

I have no doubt though that our opening possession results in a missed field goal.

 

[Nitwit]

The importance of the kicking game for a team which has difficulty sustaining long drives is huge. I really hope we can make the field goals we need to make (40 yards in), to accumulate some points in defensive dominated games.

 

[spud358]

Temple's defense was 4th in the country last year in scoring defense. Obviously inflated due to competition, but regardless, that's impressive and they return almost the entire 2 deep including all 11 starters (maybe 10?). They will be a very good test for this OL. IMO, if PSU rolls them, it will be a MUCH better sign than most will give credit for and if they struggle it won't be nearly the bad omen most will see. They might be Temple, but they run PSU's old defense (bend-but-don't-break) very well and as we know, experience is much more important than talent in that scheme. PSU's offense is going to be force to sustain long drives and avoid mistakes. They are also going to have to get into the EZ from the redzone, something Temple's defense did well at preventing last year on the season. They can really tighten up. Without FIcken, PSU can't afford to settle for FGs too much.

That said, Temple's offense is pretty darn bad and PSU's defense is truly elite. They are going to have a long day. I'm not too worried about the final outcome, but I expect a frustrating game similar to last year, at least at times.

 

[dawgduice]

Well, the "experts" think the game will be close. I see us winning 28-14. BUT if the OL has not improved at all then it is ONCE AGAIN the "Hack" show.
If, on the other hand, we can run, even a little bit, we will be off to the races.
Last year when we opened up against a "veteran" defense we could not run at all. We should have realized we were in trouble after that.
For good or bad, the Temple game will tell us what we have on the OL. I am hopeful
I am also concerned with the "kicking" game.

 

[tboyer]

Temple's defense was 4th in the country last year in scoring defense. Obviously inflated due to competition, but regardless, that's impressive and they return almost the entire 2 deep including all 11 starters (maybe 10?). They will be a very good test for this OL. IMO, if PSU rolls them, it will be a MUCH better sign than most will give credit for and if they struggle it won't be nearly the bad omen most will see. They might be Temple, but they run PSU's old defense (bend-but-don't-break) very well and as we know, experience is much more important than talent in that scheme. PSU's offense is going to be force to sustain long drives and avoid mistakes. They are also going to have to get into the EZ from the redzone, something Temple's defense did well at preventing last year on the season.

I don't think sustaining long drives is going to be possible for the PSU O given their likely trouble at LT and the fact that it's the first game of the season.

I don't think running the ball is going to be easy against these guys -- they have good size at DE and future NFL player at NT.

If Temple is running something like the old PSU D, there are a couple of ways to attack. 1) quick sideline patterns against soft corner play -- pretty much automatic 3 yards that can become 6 or more if the wideout breaks a tackle (Hamilton is a great candidate for this). 2) TEs and tall wideouts middle deep to split the safeties. That cover 2 zone will always be vulnerable to this.

PSU has got to have some matchup advantages somewhere on the O. There have to be a couple of those players on the Temple D with subpar speed who can be targeted. I don't know who they are but the PSU coaches do.

 

[simons96]

I don't think sustaining long drives is going to be possible for the PSU O given their likely trouble at LT and the fact that it's the first game of the season.

I don't think running the ball is going to be easy against these guys -- they have good size at DE and future NFL player at NT.

If Temple is running something like the old PSU D, there are a couple of ways to attack. 1) quick sideline patterns against soft corner play -- pretty much automatic 3 yards that can become 6 or more if the wideout breaks a tackle (Hamilton is a great candidate for this). 2) TEs and tall wideouts middle deep to split the safeties. That cover 2 zone will always be vulnerable to this.

PSU has got to have some matchup advantages somewhere on the O. There have to be a couple of those players on the Temple D with subpar speed who can be targeted. I don't know who they are but the PSU coaches do.

agreed. I think the key to the game is for Hack to take what he can get early. throw those quick little dinky-dunk 3yd passes, force the D to play tighter, then break open the longer passing game using the speed of the WR/TE corps vertically instead of horizontally. Also need akeel to have a good game and stay confident, hit the holes crisply and stay back to cover any blitzes.

 

[BBHorn86]

I'd take Temple and the points.

 

[PennStateNate]

This will be the most broke down game on here in BWI History?

Anyways, its Temple guys, not Ohio State, Michigan, Northwestern. We could start off slow, but I think we win 21+ points. The talent level and coaching level won't be close.

 

[TU_NY]

This will be the most broke down game on here in BWI History?

Anyways, its Temple guys, not Ohio State, Michigan, Northwestern. We could start off slow, but I think we win 21+ points. The talent level and coaching level won't be close.

Based on... hope? I don't understand posts like this.

The rest of the posters seem reasonable. It should be a highly competitive game.

 

[bmw199]

Based on... hope? I don't understand posts like this.

The rest of the posters seem reasonable. It should be a highly competitive game.

Only if our offensive line did not get better at all. No one really expects that to be the case. With an effective running game and our top P5 defense, you would have to have a very loose definition of the word competitive. Maybe you consider a 14-21 point defeat competitive...

 

[step.eng69]

Temple is talented and experienced, certainly not an opponent to be overlooked.

But I think PSU is VASTLY improved from last season, with a hearty stock of talented receivers. and Zettel. jeez that guy just scares me. I just don't see their offense being able to break out.

You're right, Zettle scares me too.....lets put a paper bag over his head!

 

[fairgambit]

Temple will be a tougher opponent than Rutgers (who isn't?) But we will win easily...by 21 or more.

 

[bdgan]

Temple will be a tougher opponent than Rutgers (who isn't?) But we will win easily...by 21 or more.

The halftime score last year was only 6-3. It was still a one score game after 3 quarters. Our final 2 scores were the result of Temple turnovers (5 total).

I don't agree with the post saying that PSU's defense is elite. That's premature given we must replace Hull at MLB and both starting DEs. We hope the OL will be better but we really have no idea. Our kicking game is also an unknown. The good news is Temple's offense wasn't very good last year. I think PSU will win but it will probably be a close game.

 

[fairgambit]

The halftime score last year was only 6-3. It was still a one score game after 3 quarters. Our final 2 scores were the result of Temple turnovers (5 total).

I don't agree with the post saying that PSU's defense is elite. That's premature given we must replace Hull at MLB and both starting DEs. We hope the OL will be better but we really have no idea. Our kicking game is also an unknown. The good news is Temple's offense wasn't very good last year. I think PSU will win but it will probably be a close game.

Last years game means nothing to me. We have question marks but so does Temple. Our question marks find their answers in 1st rate recruits. Temples, not so much. We'll know soon enough.

 

[bjf1984]

It's been 26,974 days since Temple beat Penn State 14-0. Since then Temple has only managed to tie Penn State once and has lost 32 consecutive games since. So naturally, I think most would expect for us to win this game easily....and while I do believe another victory is in store for the Blue & White, I have an uneasy feeling this game will be closer than most of us would hope for.
Temple just completed their first summer scrimmage over the weekend and aside from the usual coach talk "we have a long way to go" the fact that sticks out to me the most is that Temple is a team which returns about 19 starters from a team that was snubbed last season from a bowl game. While our o-line has a "chip" on their shoulder, the entire Temple program has a chip on their shoulders and really the Owls really want a victory to make the case at the end of the season that they deserve post season play. Plus they are playing a team that they loath. It's not just a chance to end over 70 years of frustration, it's a chance to put them on a path to a bowl, a chance to beat the Big Brother. Last time we made the trip to the Linc, Penn State had to win the game in the 11th hour.
In short this game has me very nervous but as a student of history, I have to take Penn State in this one. 24-10 PSU.

Always kinda' crazy to prognosticate on college FB before either team has even played a game.

That said this has all the makings of a U G L Y offensive game.

The old school proponents of "field position/don't turn the ball over" might LOVE this game.

If the defenses and special teams outscore the offenses (at least when you consider defensive and special teams plays that set up scores)......I wouldn't be surprised.

Something that a lot of staffs do, in their "pregame preparation", is sit around a table....offensive staffs and defensive staffs....and try to determine "what can we produce".....ie, offensive coaches say we think we can get 24-27, defensive coaches say we think we can hold them under 20.
Helps the Head Coach get some idea of how he may want to handle some in game decisions....at least until the game has played out some.

I can see the roundtable for this game going something like:

The defensive coaches saying "We think we can SCORE 14"....and the offensive coaches saying "If you can do that, I think we can hold the lead".


In a game like this, the one thing I think you look for offensively is.......which team has a QB that is more capable of not making "stupid" plays and making a few plays downfield just on his talent alone.
That would tip the scales in PSU's favor.

 

[PSU-Knocker]

I'd take Temple and the points.

Have you placed your bet yet? If not, why not?

 

[phillybillyreprise]

September 6 1976 @ Franklin Field
Penn State 26 Temple 25
and
September 1, 1978 @ veterans' Stadium
Penn State 10. Temple 7

I worry about a disciplined team that is so "hungry" for a win.

 

[Ranger Dan]

No one really expects that to be the case.

There are lots of people who aren't convinced that Penn State's OL will be better than 2014.

 

[lionroar88]

If we are worried about Temple now then we have more issues than anyone knows about.

Yes their D is going to be good, however we are starting a true Junior QB, and most likely one of the deepest WR corps we have seen at PSU (most are JR/SO), plus 3 very good TE. The OL is a year older, stronger, and bigger than last year. Yeah we lost Dif (who only started 1 game and the bowl) and DSmith (who played 3/4 of the season injured)... but the other 4 OL have now played a full season together, they know each other, they know the tendencies of the men playing next to them. There is more to be said for 'experience' and playing as a unit than most board members seem to understand. Hack will not see the turf due to sacks near what he did last year. Heck if they drop 25% of the sacks the OL yielded last season that is 11 more potential receptions for the WRs, who are going to be down right scary.

 

[krichards]

I'm not too worried. Yes, on any given Saturday...But, I don't see Temple scoring more than 13 and I think we win by 2-3 touchdowns. Both teams are going to be hungry. Its the first game. We have more talent and its not close.

 

[tboyer]

I don't think PSU should be intimidated by Temple. PSU should have a speed advantage at a lot of places.

Yes this Temple team returns 19 starters, but last year's team was not exactly a Top 25 team.
They were held to 14 points or under 6 of their last 7 games.

And PSU's offense -- the same offense that was struggling mightily late last season -- did manage to score 23 points on Temple.

To me the most important stat is that PSU ran the ball for 254 yards (Akeel Lynch ran for 130 on 18 carries).

So obviously Temple has to be taken seriously -- they can win this game, no question. But barring a real mess on the OL for the second year in a row, PSU should be able to take them. More experience on the OL, a big stable of big, fast receivers, and possibly a lot more speed at running back -- I think that is trouble for them.

 

[fairgambit]

September 6 1976 @ Franklin Field
Penn State 26 Temple 25
and
September 1, 1978 @ veterans' Stadium
Penn State 10. Temple 7
I worry about a disciplined team that is so "hungry" for a win.

The most important thing about both those scores is who won the game.

 

[fairgambit]

Based on... hope? I don't understand posts like this.
The rest of the posters seem reasonable. It should be a highly competitive game.

No, based upon we are Penn State and they are Temple. We have third team players that could start for Temple. It might be a highly competitive game. It should be a blowout (21 points), and I say it will be. By the way, if anyone is basing the outcome on "hope" it is Temple fans.

 

[fairgambit]

I'd take Temple and the points.

If you do, we will know who you are after the game.

 

[psugisher]

What makes me confident about the Temple game is Hack will be fresh and healthy and the offensive staff did a pretty good job getting ready for Central Florida and BC last year when they had extra time to prepare. Temple will be plenty fired up, but so will our guys since its the opening game of the season. I am curious about how they will put together the offensive line. Will it be our linemen most prepared for game 1 or will it be our linemen that have the most upside for this season with hope that over time their improvement will outweigh the initial growing pains as a unit? I'm thinking and hoping it'll be the latter with eyes on finding a way to 6-0 and being as ready as possible for a showdown in Columbus.

 

[Ceasar]

If we are worried about Temple now then we have more issues than anyone knows about.

Yes their D is going to be good, however we are starting a true Junior QB, and most likely one of the deepest WR corps we have seen at PSU (most are JR/SO), plus 3 very good TE. The OL is a year older, stronger, and bigger than last year. Yeah we lost Dif (who only started 1 game and the bowl) and DSmith (who played 3/4 of the season injured)... but the other 4 OL have now played a full season together, they know each other, they know the tendencies of the men playing next to them. There is more to be said for 'experience' and playing as a unit than most board members seem to understand. Hack will not see the turf due to sacks near what he did last year. Heck if they drop 25% of the sacks the OL yielded last season that is 11 more potential receptions for the WRs, who are going to be down right scary.

Amen! Didn't PSU win last year by 20 points? Yes, it was close at halftime. There are a lot of bad teams that can keep a game close for two quarters. If Temple and PSU each improved equally then how does this get closer than 20?
I always approach every game as if a loss is possible if we do not play well and this one is no different. But the reality is if PSU cannot beat Temple on Sept 5 then we are in for a very long season.
Penn State has borderline elite college players in Hackenberg, Zettel, Johnson, Wartman and Lucas. Temple has nobody that matches up to those guys. The best back on the field will be Lynch. The best two WR's will be Lewis and Hamilton. The best three TE's will be Brenneman, Gesicki and Carter. This game should not be closer than 2 TD's.

 

[demlion]

Amen! Didn't PSU win last year by 20 points? Yes, it was close at halftime. There are a lot of bad teams that can keep a game close for two quarters. If Temple and PSU each improved equally then how does this get closer than 20?
I always approach every game as if a loss is possible if we do not play well and this one is no different. But the reality is if PSU cannot beat Temple on Sept 5 then we are in for a very long season.
Penn State has borderline elite college players in Hackenberg, Zettel, Johnson, Wartman and Lucas. Temple has nobody that matches up to those guys. The best back on the field will be Lynch. The best two WR's will be Lewis and Hamilton. The best three TE's will be Brenneman, Gesicki and Carter. This game should not be closer than 2 TD's.

I agree, but there is a small chance that a very long season is what we face. Which is greater, the chance we lose to Temple or the chance we beat Ohio State?

 

[pandaczar12]

Temple is the second best CFB team in the state of PA, I hope they are taken seriously.

 

[fairgambit]

I agree, but there is a small chance that a very long season is what we face. Which is greater, the chance we lose to Temple or the chance we beat Ohio State?

Well, Temple fans will tell you we will lose to Temple and beat Ohio State.

 

[demlion]

Well, Temple fans will tell you we will lose to Temple and beat Ohio State.

Stranger things have happened. I don't think I have ever met an actual Temple fan, though my daughter will be starting her freshman year there next week.

 

[fairgambit]

Temple is the second best CFB team in the state of PA, I hope they are taken seriously.

As much as I dislike Pitt, I have a lot of Pitt friends and know a lot about their program. They would beat Temple as well, by 10 more more.

 

[demlion]

As much as I dislike Pitt, I have a lot of Pitt friends and know a lot about their program. They would beat Temple as well, by 10 more more.

Ooooh. Fair, I am not so sure about that.

 

[Cold Smoke]

I do not take this road game lightly. At all. The one thing that really worries me is a quick Temple score due to a long play or a turnover. Will we have the patience to not worry about striking back quickly and just stick with the game plan? If we play smart and let our young players settle in, we should be fine. I do wish we had Ficken for one more year though.

Too many first games have surprised the hell out of us over the years. I know, both ways.

 

[fairgambit]

Ooooh. Fair, I am not so sure about that.

I realize I may be getting a distorted picture from my Pitt friends, but CBS sports, for example, ranks all the teams and they have us at 28 (fair), Pitt at 43, and Temple at 65. Mike Desimone has us at 35, Pitt at 44, and Temple at 63. Power Rank has Pitt at 37, us at 38, and Temple at 58. I'm not sure where all the Temple love is coming from. They're a decent team, but as others have said, if we have trouble with them it will likely be a long, long season. I also think the Pitt program does not get enough respect here. Yes, we are better and likely will make that margin greater in the next 5 years, but Pitt is a superior program to Temple. I guess the bottom line is we will all know soon enough how good we are, and if Temple deserves the respect them seem to have engendered.

 

[Roar More]

I don't think PSU should be intimidated by Temple. PSU should have a speed advantage at a lot of places.

Yes this Temple team returns 19 starters, but last year's team was not exactly a Top 25 team.
They were held to 14 points or under 6 of their last 7 games.

And PSU's offense -- the same offense that was struggling mightily late last season -- did manage to score 23 points on Temple.

To me the most important stat is that PSU ran the ball for 254 yards (Akeel Lynch ran for 130 on 18 carries).

So obviously Temple has to be taken seriously -- they can win this game, no question. But barring a real mess on the OL for the second year in a row, PSU should be able to take them. More experience on the OL, a big stable of big, fast receivers, and possibly a lot more speed at running back -- I think that is trouble for them.

Please explain why another year of experience is a plus for us, but not for Temple.

 

[91Joe95]

Stranger things have happened. I don't think I have ever met an actual Temple fan, though my daughter will be starting her freshman year there next week.

I thought you and Bill Cosby were best buds.