For Owls, Rutgers ranks as large test

BEFORE THE OPENER against Villanova, Temple coach Steve Addazio was asked about goals. His response? To win the first game, and become bowl eligible.

Now the Owls are 3-2, 2-0 in the Big East heading into Saturday afternoon's game against 19th-ranked Rutgers (6-0, 3-0) at the Linc. So, has anything changed?

"It's still the same," he insisted. "That's really where we are. If we meet that (postseason) goal, we'll talk about the next goal. That's what it's all about for us.

"We have three wins. We've got to get three more. It starts this Saturday. Find a way to get another win. That's how we look at it. We just need to have one more point than the other team. I don't care how we do it. It really doesn't make a difference."

The Owls are going for a third straight win over a team from one of the six major conferences, something they haven't done since 1990. They've beaten a ranked team twice, in 1987 (at Pitt) and 1998 (at Virginia Tech). Since 1974 they're 2-73. And 0 for their last 26. So winning this one would obviously be significant. Yet a loss wouldn't be the end of anything. And nobody seems to get that as much as Addazio, who probably wants to win more than anyone as well. Sometimes it's all about reason, even in an ever-changing landscape.

"I mean, I think there's a different level of buzz (now)," he said. "For me to say the players don't feel that, I'm sure they do. It's great to be playing a big-time game that matters. The energy and excitement is building, and that's cool. That's what college football is, right? But as players and coaches, you've got so much on your plate, and that's really where you're focus is because you're living it."

This season was mostly supposed to be about re-inclusion, and belonging, regardless of the end game.

"I think we've proven ... we can compete against other like like schools," Addazio said. "That's been happening for a couple of years now. We have to do it on more of a weekly basis. That doesn't mean we've arrived. It doesn't mean there's not going to be big disappointments. It means what it is.

"Where we go from here, that remains to be seen. Let's let the storyline be told, see how we finish. I think we're all heading on the right path to the right place. It's just a matter of when exactly we get there.

"It's kind of gone the way you hoped. You always wish you had another win or two in there. We've still got a lot of ball left to play. But we're playing the (19th) ranked team. That's a great opportunity."

The Owls also get a shot at No. 16 Louisville (6-0) and No. 21 Cincinnati (5-0). But they'll get to a bowl just by beating Pitt (2-5), Army (1-5) and Syracuse (2-4). That's the reality. And who wouldn't have taken that after they were picked to finish last?

"Gaining respect ... is a bi-product of your play on the field and winning," Addazio said. "Rutgers has done that, to their credit. We're building ours, but not quite to that (level) yet. It's a tremendous motivating force (because of the proximity).

"It'll happen. That's just the way it's going to be. It takes time."

But at least so far, maybe not as much as many anticipated.