UCLA vs. Temple (@ RFK Stadium in Washington D.C.)
Advantages
Temple
Temple enters the bowl game with one of the most stout rushing defenses (108.8 yards per game allowed) in the country. The strength of the Owls' defense is its front seven -- particularly potential future pros Andre Neblett, a disruptive force at nose tackle, and Adrian Robinson, a sophomore defensive end with 12 sacks this season.
-talented freshman rb Pierce when healthy was putting up some of biggest numbers in college football
. How does he respond to injury to his shoulder? Freshman dealing with injury for first time
-playing close to home in tough weather conditions (which they are used to)
-first bowl appearance in decades going to bring alums. out of the woodwork (treat it like a home game)
-will treat this game like a championship game
-Finished season 9-3 with big wins against NAVY, BUFFALO, and ARMY
(losses to Villanova 1AA champ, Penn State, and Ohio in MAC champ. game)
Disadvantages
-Playing in MAC has not seen team speed like UCLA will bring
-Shoulder injury to Pierce
-MAC Talent level vs. PAC-10 talent level
-QB Chester Stewart could be rattled, if he takes a big shot or two. He will be making just his fifth collegiate start and was clearly rattled in Temple's regular season finale vs. Ohio on Nov. 27 -- completing just seven of his 22 passes for just 92 yards.
Advantages
UCLA
-Team speed is much greater than Temple's. Special teams threats to go the distance at any time during the game
-Redshirt QB Kevin Prince has shown flashes of brilliance this year and flashes of a Freshman. Given an extra month of practice time you would expect him to be more polished
-Coach Neuheisel has been here before. He has been to bowl games and knows how to get the most out of his players with the extra time to do so.
Disadvantages
UCLA
-OL is in shambles with injuries and academic/disciplinary problems. Not a good sign with a Freshman QB that has been rattled during the year
-Traveling cross country where they have had little success in the past
-90% of roster are California boys that have more than likely never played in the cold (see forecast below)
Temps at game time (wind chill) around 18 degrees and falling as night falls.
Winds From NW at 22 mph
gusting to 36 mph
Pick
After reviewing all factors to be considered, I did not know the name of the bowl they are playing in until I now I found that I have broken down the Eaglebankbowl at RFK stadium. With that said, I will take 4.5 points with a Temple team under frosty conditions that should neutralize the team speed of the Bruins. The offensive line questions for the Bruins is another key factor. If Temple can keep pressure on Prince, his receivers will not be able to get down field, limiting the big play potential. Temple must win this game with field position. If UCLA is able to break big plays on special teams, Temple will not be able to hang with the big boys from the PAC-10.
Temple +4.5
Advantages
Temple
Temple enters the bowl game with one of the most stout rushing defenses (108.8 yards per game allowed) in the country. The strength of the Owls' defense is its front seven -- particularly potential future pros Andre Neblett, a disruptive force at nose tackle, and Adrian Robinson, a sophomore defensive end with 12 sacks this season.
-talented freshman rb Pierce when healthy was putting up some of biggest numbers in college football
. How does he respond to injury to his shoulder? Freshman dealing with injury for first time
-playing close to home in tough weather conditions (which they are used to)
-first bowl appearance in decades going to bring alums. out of the woodwork (treat it like a home game)
-will treat this game like a championship game
-Finished season 9-3 with big wins against NAVY, BUFFALO, and ARMY
(losses to Villanova 1AA champ, Penn State, and Ohio in MAC champ. game)
Disadvantages
-Playing in MAC has not seen team speed like UCLA will bring
-Shoulder injury to Pierce
-MAC Talent level vs. PAC-10 talent level
-QB Chester Stewart could be rattled, if he takes a big shot or two. He will be making just his fifth collegiate start and was clearly rattled in Temple's regular season finale vs. Ohio on Nov. 27 -- completing just seven of his 22 passes for just 92 yards.
Advantages
UCLA
-Team speed is much greater than Temple's. Special teams threats to go the distance at any time during the game
-Redshirt QB Kevin Prince has shown flashes of brilliance this year and flashes of a Freshman. Given an extra month of practice time you would expect him to be more polished
-Coach Neuheisel has been here before. He has been to bowl games and knows how to get the most out of his players with the extra time to do so.
Disadvantages
UCLA
-OL is in shambles with injuries and academic/disciplinary problems. Not a good sign with a Freshman QB that has been rattled during the year
-Traveling cross country where they have had little success in the past
-90% of roster are California boys that have more than likely never played in the cold (see forecast below)
Temps at game time (wind chill) around 18 degrees and falling as night falls.
Winds From NW at 22 mph
gusting to 36 mph
Pick
After reviewing all factors to be considered, I did not know the name of the bowl they are playing in until I now I found that I have broken down the Eaglebankbowl at RFK stadium. With that said, I will take 4.5 points with a Temple team under frosty conditions that should neutralize the team speed of the Bruins. The offensive line questions for the Bruins is another key factor. If Temple can keep pressure on Prince, his receivers will not be able to get down field, limiting the big play potential. Temple must win this game with field position. If UCLA is able to break big plays on special teams, Temple will not be able to hang with the big boys from the PAC-10.
Temple +4.5
