2011 Temple Owls Gambling Odds | Predictions

2011-2012 Football Previews – MAC Conference – Temple Owls

Al Golden did a terrific job turning around the Temple program, but now he is in Miami. It will be up to Steve Addazio and his staff to continue the success that Golden started.

Mid American Conference 2011-2012 Football Previews: Temple Owls
Head Coach: Steve Addazio
2010 Record: 8-4
Temple Gambling Odds from JustBet to win BCS: +15,000 (Part of Field)
Temple Odds from WagerWeb to win MAC Championship: +240
Temple Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>

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The Owls went 8-4 last year, but they were somehow overlooked when it came time for a bowl berth.

Temple’s players were obviously disappointed, but one has to wonder if they can channel some of their disappointment and anger into proving they are for real again this season.

While Temple has had a great turnaround, it is important to note that Temple never won the MAC. In fact, Temple hasn’t even played in the MAC Championship Game. The Owls have one of the most talented teams in the MAC going into 2011.

Could this be the year where they actually have a title to show for their turnaround?

Team Strengths:

Temple easily has the best backfield in the MAC. Bernard Pierce may be the best runner in the conference, and Matt Brown should get even more carries this year as well. These two complement each other very well. The opposition will get a dose of power running as well as some lightning quickness.

Temple’s running game will be very tough to stop.

The Owls are absolutely loaded on the defensive front. Adrian Robinson was the 2009 MAC Defensive Player of the Year. He had a down year last season, but most expect him to bounce back this year. Shahid Paulhill and Kadeem Custis are beasts at the defensive tackle positions.

This will be the biggest defensive line in the conference, and they should be the best as well.

In the past few years, the offensive line has typically been a strength for the Temple Owls. I expect that to be the case once again in 2011. John Palumbo is a senior center who should lead this unit and help pave the way for a great rushing attack.

Team Weaknesses:

The quarterback position continues to be an area where Temple just doesn’t know exactly who to turn to. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Chester Stewart seems to have the talent to do the job, but Stewart just isn’t able to get the passing game going at all. Mike Gerardi has been tried at the spot and he wasn’t successful either. Temple is considering giving a freshman or two a chance at the quarterback spot.

The running game is great, but they need some sort of a passing game.

The secondary has been a huge strength for Temple in the last couple years, but I don’t think it will be this year. Jaiquawn Jarrett was the MVP of the defense last year, and they will badly miss him.

Temple will turn to some inexperienced cornerbacks and safeties.

2011-2012 Temple Football Prediction: 9-4

The Owls will host Penn State and travel to Maryland in back-to-back weeks in September.

Temple needs to win at least one of those games to build momentum for the MAC regular season. The meeting with Ohio in Athens will be a tricky one for the Owls. Overall, the schedule is pretty easy.

Given the lack of high quality competition in the MAC East, I think Temple has a pretty good shot at getting to the MAC Championship game this year if they can get reliable play from their quarterback.

2011 Temple Owls Schedule

9/1/11 7:00 PM ET VILL
9/10/11 12:00 PM ET @AKR
9/17/11 12:00 PM ET PENST
9/24/11 12:00 PM ET @MD
10/1/11 12:00 PM ET TOL
10/8/11 12:00 PM ET @BALST
10/15/11 12:00 PM ET BUFF
10/22/11 12:00 PM ET @BGREN
11/2/11 8:00 PM ET @OHIO
11/9/11 8:00 PM ET MIAOH
11/19/11 12:00 PM ET ARMY
11/25/11 12:00 PM ET KENST