5 Reasons Why Temple Will (And Won't) Pull The Upset

Let's start things out on the end of the spectrum that makes even the most serious Owl fans giddy. Here are 5 reasons why your hometown Owls will pull the unthinkable

Will Bernard Stay Healthy?

1. Special Teams: Coach Addazio really looks to have his guys firing on all cylinders on both kick coverage and kick returns. It's only week 3 and I have already lost track of the number of vicious hits delivered on kickoffs. The owls have only seen 4 kickoffs come their way but 2 of them were returned past the midfield stripe by Joey Jones. McManus had looked a little shaky on field goals but I have all the faith in the world in the Junior placekicker/punter.
2. Bernard Pierce: Temple runs on BP. Pierce is back and stronger than ever. He's had quite a few jaw dropping moves already, not to mention his 6 touchdowns scored in 5 quarters of action. Pierce ripped off 2 touchdown runs in the first quarter in Happy Valley before suffering an ankle injury that seriously hampered the Owls' chance for the upset.
3. Defensive Scheme: I have said it all along. The Owls are not going to be as talented on the defensive side of the ball, but the results will still be better. Gone is the lackluster bend-but-don't-break defense run by Al Golden. It had been replaced by an aggressive defense masterminded by Chuck Heater.
4. Better QB Play: Let's face it. Chester Stewart did not play a good game last year in Happy Valley. He didn't even play a mediocre one. Mike Gerardi looks much more capable of being the game manager that the Owls lacked in last year's contest. Addazio doesn't need his QB to play spectacular. He just needs Gerardi to make the plays that a division 1 quarterback is expected to make.
5. We're Due: Simply put, Temple deserves a breakthrough. We have been excruciatingly close to greatness several times now. This year, it truly is "our time".

Now that we have the good stuff out out of the way, let's take a look at some of the reasons why the Owls won't pull the upset.

Michael Mauti will be called upon to slow down Temple's running game

1. The PSU Running Game: For years the Penn State ground game has given the Owls fits. This year looks to be no different. Silas Redd might not be Bernard Pierce, but he's a very capable back running behind a colossal line. The Owls will need to contain the ground game to have a puncher's chance.
2. PSU Run Defense: Let's face it. Akron and Villanova's run defenses are not at the level of Penn State's. Yeah, the Crimson Tide ran all over them with Trent Richardson, but who doesn't Alabama run all over? We certainly can't expect for Bernard Pierce and company to run for over 300 yards line they did against Akron.
3. Motivation: Penn State has plenty of it. They were just embarrassed on their home field and a loss to Temple just isn't an option. Temple is always motivated for this game. It's their super bowl. This year, Joe Pa's squad will be out for blood though.
4. Injuries: Specifically an injury to Bernard Pierce. I know we don't want to talk about it, but this should be the first game that Bernard has to take a full game of pounding. Coach Addazio says he's learned to tough things out, but we won't know for sure until he gets through this tough stretch of games unharmed.
5. PSU QBs: Yeah, the PSU quarterbacks have not been spectacular but I think Joe Pa is finally ready to go to Bolden and stick with him. It has to be disheartening for Nittany Lion fans to see this QB shuffle situation they currently have. I think the "Nittany Lion Shuffle" ends this week and they finally start to see some continuity in the position.