EagleBank Bowl: Temple (9-3) vs. UCLA (6-6)
December, 28, 2009
12/28/09
10:30
AM ET
By
Graham Watson | ESPN.com
Temple didn’t know who it was going to play in the EagleBank Bowl until a week after the other bowl matchups were announced, but the team was just happy to be playing in a bowl considering it was their first postseason trip since 1979.
After losing the first two games of the season, Temple rattled off nine consecutive wins to put it a win away from playing in the Mid-American Conference title game. Although the Owls lost to Ohio in the final game of the season, their turnaround was still one of the best in the country.
WHO TO WATCH: Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple
Pierce, the Owls' freshman phenom, led the team with 1,308 yards and 15 touchdowns. Although he missed the final two games with a left shoulder injury, he is expected to be ready for the bowl game. Pierce has been the Owls' offense almost all season and with fresh legs, the Owls will rely on him to carry them to their first bowl win since 1979.
WHAT TO WATCH: UCLA’s quarterback situation
The Owls have had to prepare for two quarterbacks with UCLA starter Kevin Prince questionable as he continues to recover from an AC joint sprain. Senior Kevin Craft would likely start if Prince is unable to go. Temple's defense has been stingy this season, allowing 21.67 points per game. Since the Owls are better against the run than the pass, they’d rather see Craft, who’s thrown three interceptions and just two touchdowns.
WHY WATCH: Temple’s turnaround
Even if you’re not a fan of either of these teams, this is a historical game for a Temple team that has had more winless seasons than bowl appearances in the past three decades. Coach Al Golden has orchestrated a miraculous turnaround during his time with this program and winning a bowl game would just cap what already has been a tremendous season.
PREDICTION: I’m going to go out on a limb here and give the nod to Temple. Its running game is fantastic and its defense is underappreciated. The Owls should be able to have success against either Prince or Craft and make the Bruins one-dimensional. Plus, the crowd is going to be in Temple’s favor with the bowl right down the road from the school. Temple 24, UCLA 17.
After losing the first two games of the season, Temple rattled off nine consecutive wins to put it a win away from playing in the Mid-American Conference title game. Although the Owls lost to Ohio in the final game of the season, their turnaround was still one of the best in the country.
WHO TO WATCH: Bernard Pierce, RB, Temple
Pierce, the Owls' freshman phenom, led the team with 1,308 yards and 15 touchdowns. Although he missed the final two games with a left shoulder injury, he is expected to be ready for the bowl game. Pierce has been the Owls' offense almost all season and with fresh legs, the Owls will rely on him to carry them to their first bowl win since 1979.
WHAT TO WATCH: UCLA’s quarterback situation
The Owls have had to prepare for two quarterbacks with UCLA starter Kevin Prince questionable as he continues to recover from an AC joint sprain. Senior Kevin Craft would likely start if Prince is unable to go. Temple's defense has been stingy this season, allowing 21.67 points per game. Since the Owls are better against the run than the pass, they’d rather see Craft, who’s thrown three interceptions and just two touchdowns.
WHY WATCH: Temple’s turnaround
Even if you’re not a fan of either of these teams, this is a historical game for a Temple team that has had more winless seasons than bowl appearances in the past three decades. Coach Al Golden has orchestrated a miraculous turnaround during his time with this program and winning a bowl game would just cap what already has been a tremendous season.
PREDICTION: I’m going to go out on a limb here and give the nod to Temple. Its running game is fantastic and its defense is underappreciated. The Owls should be able to have success against either Prince or Craft and make the Bruins one-dimensional. Plus, the crowd is going to be in Temple’s favor with the bowl right down the road from the school. Temple 24, UCLA 17.
Graham Watson | email
College FootballWatson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Missouri Tigers and the Big 12 Conference for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She also covered college football recruiting for the Dallas Morning News.
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