From the Dual Threat Sports website:
Temple -7
On paper Temple is clearly the better team tonight. So the real question is motivation. And since I am an absolutely terrible sports psychologist, I'll just make an argument for both sides concerning the motivation angle and take it from there. It's all on the line for the RedHawks tonight. A Miami win, combined with an Ohio loss @ Kent Friday would give the Redhawks the MAC East title. Last week's loss to Ohio means that Temple can't win the 2010 MAC title, but there's still a lot to play for Tuesday night on ESPNU, including a second straight bowl berth. If they lose to Miami, the Owls could very well be home for the holidays as Northern Illinois, Ohio, Miami and perhaps Toledo would have better cases to go bowling. Therefore this is a must-win game for both teams, because the winner will be well-positioned for a bowl berth. The loser might not get a bowl invite. Statistically Temple is the better football team. They have much better running numbers than the Redhawks. In fact, up until last week’s 185 yard outburst vs defensively challenged Akron, Miami was avg 72.10 ypg rushing. They still are only avg 82.36 ypg vs teams that allow 161.66 ypg (2.71 ypr vs teams that allow 4.19). Temple also has a more formidable defense allowing 18.20 ppg vs teams that avg 23.06 (-4.86) as opposed to Miami allowing 25.45 ppg vs teams that avg 22.01 (+3.45). 10 game starter Zac Dysart will miss his 2nd game w/ a lacerated spleen. Last season Dysert completed 30-of-50 passes for 418 yards and three touchdown against Temple, but the Owls pulled out a 34-32 victory. Redshirt freshman Austin Boucher will make his second start. Boucher was a winner in his first career start against Akron. He completed 22-of-32 passes for 213 yards. Boucher didn't throw a touchdown pass, but he took care of the ball. Boucher didn't have an interception or fumble. Miami gained 185 yards on the ground last week, including a career-high 141 by Thomas Merriweather against Akron. However Temple’s run D is much more formidable than Akron’s. Whereas Akron allowed 177 ypg to teams that avg 144 (4.60 ypr to teams that avg 4.01), Temple only allows 128.2 ypg to teams that avg 148 ypg (3.30 ypr to teams that avg 3.86). In addition Temple is tied for 2nd in the MAC in sacks (23) whereas Akron was 11th (12). I have to believe Temple’s goal will be to bottle up Merriweather and force Boucher into second and third-down-and-long situations.
Temple -7
On paper Temple is clearly the better team tonight. So the real question is motivation. And since I am an absolutely terrible sports psychologist, I'll just make an argument for both sides concerning the motivation angle and take it from there. It's all on the line for the RedHawks tonight. A Miami win, combined with an Ohio loss @ Kent Friday would give the Redhawks the MAC East title. Last week's loss to Ohio means that Temple can't win the 2010 MAC title, but there's still a lot to play for Tuesday night on ESPNU, including a second straight bowl berth. If they lose to Miami, the Owls could very well be home for the holidays as Northern Illinois, Ohio, Miami and perhaps Toledo would have better cases to go bowling. Therefore this is a must-win game for both teams, because the winner will be well-positioned for a bowl berth. The loser might not get a bowl invite. Statistically Temple is the better football team. They have much better running numbers than the Redhawks. In fact, up until last week’s 185 yard outburst vs defensively challenged Akron, Miami was avg 72.10 ypg rushing. They still are only avg 82.36 ypg vs teams that allow 161.66 ypg (2.71 ypr vs teams that allow 4.19). Temple also has a more formidable defense allowing 18.20 ppg vs teams that avg 23.06 (-4.86) as opposed to Miami allowing 25.45 ppg vs teams that avg 22.01 (+3.45). 10 game starter Zac Dysart will miss his 2nd game w/ a lacerated spleen. Last season Dysert completed 30-of-50 passes for 418 yards and three touchdown against Temple, but the Owls pulled out a 34-32 victory. Redshirt freshman Austin Boucher will make his second start. Boucher was a winner in his first career start against Akron. He completed 22-of-32 passes for 213 yards. Boucher didn't throw a touchdown pass, but he took care of the ball. Boucher didn't have an interception or fumble. Miami gained 185 yards on the ground last week, including a career-high 141 by Thomas Merriweather against Akron. However Temple’s run D is much more formidable than Akron’s. Whereas Akron allowed 177 ypg to teams that avg 144 (4.60 ypr to teams that avg 4.01), Temple only allows 128.2 ypg to teams that avg 148 ypg (3.30 ypr to teams that avg 3.86). In addition Temple is tied for 2nd in the MAC in sacks (23) whereas Akron was 11th (12). I have to believe Temple’s goal will be to bottle up Merriweather and force Boucher into second and third-down-and-long situations.
Better luck tomorrow.