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If you needed any insight into why Memphis is coming into Lincoln Financial Field a seven-point favorite against a Temple team that just beat No. 23 East Carolina, all you have to do is go straight to the training table at Edberg-Olson Hall, the Owls’ $17 million on-campus practice facility. Head coach Matt Rhule calls it the “M*A*S*H unit.”
In a game that could decide the AAC title, a lot will depend on how the Owls are patched up. Two-way football has returned to Temple. Brian Carter, a starter at defensive tackle — who was not among the many DT starters in the preseason — against UCF will be a starter on the offensive line against Memphis on Friday night.
Ouch.
Double ouch since Shabazz Ahmed — last year’s starter at DE — was forced to the offensive side of the ball before the season. He now appears out.
Also, playing in that Temple game last year were stars like Robbie Anderson and Chris Coyer and some under-rated lunch pail guys like Cody Booth and Evan Regas, and they are no longer here.
The loss of Anderson, who scored three touchdowns in that 41-21 Temple win and flunked out of school, and Coyer, who scored one and graduated with honors, is the reason why Temple has gone from a 20-point winner to a seven-point underdog against this same Memphis team.
Both teams own double-digit wins over East Carolina and Cincinnati, two teams that were favored for the title in preseason polls.
If the Owls can continue with what they did on offense against ECU — using a fullback and play-action passing to buy time for quarterback P.J. Walker and spring tailbacks Jahad Thomas and Kenny Harper at the point of attack — they can run enough minutes off the clock and make enough plays to keep Memphis’ offense off the field.
At least that could be a plan that not only wins a game, but puts them back in contention for a title.
Mike Gibson is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @papreps , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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