ALWAYS BREAKS OUT THE TY ON HOLIDAYS
Am I the only one that sees a much improved Temple team compared to the ones that were shutout by Penn State the last two years? Owls quarterback Adam DiMichele is a heck of an athlete and should provide the Lions with a nice tune-up to the mobile Juice Williams of Illinois. Receivers Bruce Francis and Travis Shelton are sure handed and will present the Penn State secondary with a test. Shelton is also one of the better return men in the country. The Lions suffered in that department last season -- especially on kickoffs -- but look good in the early going. Of course, the first three opponents didn't provide much of a test.
On defense, Temple has some fine individuals, led by linebacker Amara Kamara and safety Jaiquawn Jarrett. Based on the fact that the Owls return 23 starters and DiMichele is a go after missing last season's meeting, Temple has to fare better. Right ... ? OK, I'm finished channeling Joe Paterno. Mr. Realist is back.
Temple has no run game, other than DiMichele, can't stop the run (Hello, 100 yards rushing for Evan Royster) and still can't win in a tough spot (see: the last two weeks). Even if the Owls had beaten Connecticut and Buffalo, they have no shot against Penn State. All that being said, I think the Owls can score. DiMichele will throw for one TD and scramble for another and let's give Shelton a kick return TD, too. But the Lions' line will blow Temple's front seven off the ball, allowing Royster, and whomever else, to run at will.
Prediction: Penn State 48, Temple 21.
Joe McIntyre is a senior at Penn State majoring in journalism. He covered the Penn State football beat in 2011 for the Daily Collegian. Follow him on Twitter here @JoeMcIntyre5.
