Temple is two wins from conference title game
As expected, television networks are holding off on choosing the starting time for Temple's regular-season finale Nov. 26 against East Carolina at Lincoln Financial Field.
As expected, television networks are holding off on choosing the starting time for Temple's regular-season finale Nov. 26 against East Carolina at Lincoln Financial Field.
Normally, schools are notified of the starting time at least 12 days beforehand, which would have been Monday. However, the networks are exercising a six-day window on the three American Athletic Conference games with playoff implications.
The other two games are Navy at Southern Methodist and Central Florida at South Florida.
Temple could play at noon, 3:30 p.m. or in the evening against East Carolina.
Temple is 7-3 and 5-1 in the AAC East. The Owls would win their second straight division title if they finish with wins at Tulane (3-7, 0-6) on Saturday and the next week against East Carolina (3-7, 1-5).
The winner of the East will play the West champion in the second annual AAC championship on Dec. 3.
Navy (7-2, 5-1) is leading the West Division. The Midshipmen will clinch the division title by winning one of their final two games.
Navy visits East Carolina on Saturday. If the Mids win their two remaining games, they would likely host the AAC title game based on a higher computer ranking.
South Florida (8-2, 5-1) is on Temple's heels in the East. Since Temple beat USF, the Owls own that tiebreaker if they both finish 7-1 in the division. South Florida visits SMU on Saturday.
Central Florida (6-4, 4-2) could clinch the East Division if it wins its final two and Temple loses two. UCF hosts Tulsa (7-3, 4-2) on Saturday.
Temple coach Matt Rhule said he is treating each game as if it is a playoff contest.
"If we lose, we are out of it - and if we win, we go to the next round, which is next week's game," Rhule said Monday in a conference call. "We are approaching it as if this week is everything."
@sjnard