College Game Day Preview: Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Temple Owls

If you had told any college football fanatic that the Temple Owls would be an undefeated program at 7-0, they would have glared at you with disgruntled confusion. To think that the Owls would be any different than yesteryears counter parts would be a dubious proposition at best. Yet, despite these radical and justified beliefs, Temple has finally found a way to emulate their winning program from 2009, who's surprising success was based on a smash mouth defense that easily stifled any opposing offense they faced. While on the surface it seemed that Temple's glowing 9-4 record was indicative of their weak schedule rather an a opportunistic defense, this year has proven that the Owls are a legitimately great team. Between a decisive victory over in state rival Penn State in their home opener and a defensive lockdown of one of the most prolific passers in college football in Cincinnati's Gunner Kiel (4 INT's for Owls defense in 34-26 win), the Owls have asserted themselves as a fearless force to be reckoned.

However, even with Temple's improbable rise to greatness, they have yet to face a well balanced offense like that of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Having running back C.J. Prosise alone would be enough to justify the Irish's chances to defeat the Owls on the road. Add to that a star studded quarterback in DeShone Kizer (65.4% completion percentage, 10 TD's), and it seems that the Owls have their work cut out for them.

Ultimately, the Owls will have to rely on their relentless pass rush and prolific running game if they hope to pull off one of the most spectacular upsets of the season. Although P.J. Walker is capable of methodically moving his offense down the field, the Owls are at their best when their running game is effective thanks to their shifty running back Jahad Thomas. When Thomas isn't breaking tackles in the open field for massive chunks of yardage, he's running down the throats of tenacious defenders in the red zone. Simply put, Thomas is the crux that allows this offense to extend drives to put his team in a position to score on successive drives.

Notre Dame may be the favorite to win (rightfully so), but the Owls have persevered to achieve a team accolade that is more than just a fantastical fluke. Although it will take everything Temple has and then some to win this game and remain undefeated, it couldn't happen on a better night than Halloween, where the bumps in the night become your worst fears.  Tonight, the Temple Owls will be more than a cliche figment of a child's wild imagination, they will be the imposing and cunning monster that comes ready to play.

Final Verdict. Fighting Irish 23 Owls 26