I can't help but not buy into the hype of a Temple team that did not impress me against OHIO when it was their biggest game of the season the team crumbled to Ohio. Temple after all started the season with a loss to D1-AA Villanova and then scored just 6 points against Penn State. I'll tell you exactly why that has some kind of relevancy as neither one of these teams have a similar opponent and both are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 non-conference games. However, both teams have faced Big10 opponents in Kansas State and Penn State. Both Kstate and Pstate have identical strengh of schedules at .493. UCLA beat Kansas Sate 23-9, and Temple lost to Penn state 31-6. To me Temples defense is over rated and UCLA's defense is under appreciated because their offense is just so bad. Kansas State is or appears to be an exact copy of what Temple is in the sense of pure ratings. Kansas State 81, 105, 25 and 87 offensive ranks (total, pass, run, scoring) While Temple 89, 112, 23, &36. Now Temple's strength of schedule of .417 is miles behind Kansas State's .493. UCLA shut down that offense because it was one dimensional and I think they will do this again here today.
If you are not convinced yet know that against one dimensional offenses UCLA has given up just 17.2ppg. I believe they can shut down Temple despite Temple getting their talented RB Bernard Pierce. It just won't be enough with North Carolina having 6 All -PAC10 defenders and have NFL talent sprinkled in each part of the defense. The front line features DT Briant Price, LB Reggie Carter, and stand out CB Alterraun Verner including FS Rahim Moore. The talent is there and while UCLA was the last team in for the bowl games and they have to travel east I still think they have much more to play for here than many feel. This was just Rick Neuheisel's second season and although more was expected they are still in a bowl game after 4 wins last year. Their QB Kevin Prince is a redshirt freshmen who has looked solid at times and is compared to be the second coming of Cade McNown. The passing offense ranked 52nd and a running game ranked 97th which is not as bad as it appears since playing a average 48th ranked rush defense. The strength of UCLA's offense (pass game) matches up against the weakness of Temples D in their secondary. Temple does not have the passing game to make any kind of a come back especially considering UCLA has a shut down secondary. Look for UCLA playmakers Johnathan Franklin and WR Nelson Rosario to get their names called early and often.
