Seriously, at this point, it is ... and the Owls need to grasp that stone-cold reality. Put it this way, if Apollo Creed morphed into human form to reprise his role in Rocky III to drill home, “there is no tomorrow ... there is no tomorrow” -- that wouldn't be a bad thing for Temple players and coaches to hear. Repeatedly. Ad nauseam. Lose this game, and kiss 2016 goodbye as any sort of solid follow-up to last season's attention-grabbing 10-4 campaign. A trip to Penn State looms next weekend, with the very legit possibility of a 0-3 start this season if business is not handled against the Seawolves, who, by the way, just beat the No. 19 team in their FCS division, North Dakota, in their opener..
2. Just forget about Phillip
As one of the biggest proponents of Temple QB Phillip Walker and loudest champions to utilize his multi-faceted talents more throughout his years in Cherry & White, it is time to give up the ghost, so to speak, and give into the ground game hardcore. It's what head coach Matt Rhule is more comfy relying on anyway, so no biggie. Now, just make it official – at least against a lesser (in theory) foe – and ram the ball down the throats against Stony Brook. According to reports, senior RB Jahad Thomas remains out with a hand issue for the Owls, but they're loaded with runners. Even in last week's upset loss to Army, sophomores Ryquell Armstead and David Hood looked pretty good.
3. Umm, about the D ...
Army embarrassed Temple's front seven, grinding out 329 yards pretty much right through the teeth of DC Phil Snow's unit. The Seawolves don't figure to present quite the same problem, especially since they're more aerial-driven with sophomore QB Joe Carbone. But the manhandling endured by the Owls last week was alarming. Especially when that side of the ball was the cornerstone of the team's 16 wins combined in 2014 and '15. An attacking approach would be wise this afternoon. Turning loose someone such as, say, DE Hasson Reddick would be wise in this one.
- Jack Kerwin | [email protected]