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2007 Temple Owls Football Preview

Temple Owls

2007 Temple Overview

Temple enters the MAC this season after playing as an Independent over the past two seasons. The Owls have not had a winning season in 16 years and have not topped four wins in a season since 1990. However, a very young team that took their lumps last season looks to be stronger entering the 2007 season. Vaughn Charlton and Adam DeMichele will battle for the starting QB position and each looks to catapult forward an offense that averaged just 11 points per game last season. After ranking #118 in rushing offense last season, Temple went out signed two impressive prospects for this fall, highly regarded JUCO transfer Marcellous Grigsby and freshman Kee-Ayre Griffin. There are some real playmakers at the wideout position in Bruce Francis and Travis Shelton. Shelton is one of the nation’s top return specialists and is the nation’s returning all-purpose yardage leader (196 YPG). For the first time in many seasons, there are some solid offensive linemen and quality depth up front and center Alex Derenthal is the leader of this much improved group. There needs to be some improvement on the defensive side of the ball where Temple ranked #118 (of 119 teams) in scoring defense, #119 in rushing defense, and #117 in total defense last season. The defensive line should be the strength of the "D" this season where all four starters return and providing more depth than a year ago. Two very highly-regarded LBs enter the program this season, Tommie Weatherspoon and Wallace Bates, meaning the LB unit should be much-improved. Local Philly product Daryl Robinson, a national recruit who chose to stay at home, should be a much-needed remedy to a DB unit that can really use him. Head Coach Al Golden has taken over most of the special teams units personally but having Shelton return kicks is a plus. Overall Temple should be much-improved, but it may not quite show up in the win column this fall. Temple is still two years away from legitimately contending for a MAC East title after two straight stellar recruiting classes. This season, four wins would have to be considered a real success.

Mark it Down!
The Owls will lead the MAC in average home attendance this season. Playing their home games at Lincoln Financial Field (68,532 capacity) and hosting both Navy and Penn State give Temple a real shot at averaging nearly 35,000 fans per game this season. Temple averaged 15,810 in 2006.

Temple 2007 Schedule Analysis
The non conference schedule is very manageable for a young team trying to have a shot at winning some games. Temple hosts Navy and Penn State while playing UConn and Army on the road. Cross over games are NIU and Western Michigan. The Owls get a break hosting Buffalo but must travel to Akron and Ohio within divisional contests.

Most Important Game
Hosting Buffalo on September 8 – Both teams will be looking for any early momentum to get their seasons off and running and Temple has the advantage of hosting the Bulls this season after losing at UB 9-3 in OT last season. The loser of this contest will likely end up being in the MAC East seller this season.

2007 Temple Prediction - 2-10 Overall, 1-7 MAC, 1-5 MAC East

published 07.05.2007