Kevin from NittanyWhiteOut and Examiner is back to offer his thoughts on this weekend’s local college football action.
The Temple Owls now have the same record as Ohio State.
Read that sentence again. Temple and Ohio State have the same record. At least for one more day.
Temple needed a late field goal to pick up their seventh straight win and stay atop the MAC East division last night. Temple defeated visiting Miami (of Ohio) 34-32 after giving up 19 points in the fourth quarter. These Owls sure know how to make things interesting don’t they? With three games to play in the regular season, and two on the road, we will see what kind of character Temple has. Can they get the job done and reach the MAC Championship game?
PENN STATE
It is not often that I lead this college football segment on Phinally Philly with anything but Penn State, but since Temple played last night and won, I felt inclined to give them their props. But Penn State clearly has a big game ahead of them this weekend in Happy Valley.
The Nittany Lions are playing host this weekend to the hated Ohio State Buckeyes. OSU quarterback Terrelle Pryor makes his much anticipated return to Pennsylvania after mocking Penn State for being “too country” as he declared for Ohio State. Now Pryor must face the wrath of a sold out Beaver Stadium that is thirsty to welcome Pryor back to the Keystone State.
Last year Pryor, as a freshman, made a pair of crucial mistakes that allowed Penn State to rally and seal a victory in Ohio Stadium. For Penn State the game sent a message that they were a legitimate national title contender (but then they lost to Iowa…).
For more on the big game stop by Nittany White Out, where we have been talking about the history of this series as well as exchanging thoughts with a popular Ohio State blog and a whole lot more all week! I also have posted my full game preview on Examiner.
On a personal note, the 2008 Penn State-Ohio State game is one I will always remember, but not for the big fumble. If you recall, game three of the World Series was also that night so I was one of the only people in the region thankful for the lengthy rain delay before Jamie Moyer went out and did his thing against a hapless Tampa Bay Rays team. Game Three started before the conclusion of the Penn State game, but the wonderful people at ABC were kind enough to keep me updated on what I was missing in the baseball game. In the end I got to see all of the important parts of both memorable games.
VILLANOVA, PENN
#4 Villanova also has a huge game on their hands. The Wildcats travel to top ranked Richmond for a CAA showdown for the ages. Both teams have fantastic offenses and their defenses are about even as well. A win could vault Villanova to the top ranking in the FCS ranks but a loss does not necessarily ruin their season. Villanova still looks to be in good shape for a playoff spot when the regular season comes to an end.
The Penn Quakers are riding a five game winning streak into their rivalry game this weekend at Franklin Field against Princeton. The Tigers are limping in with a 2-5 record and have allowed well more than twice as many points as they have scored. Penn should easily get by Princeton this time around.
BONUS SMALL BALL FOOTBALL GAME!
Shippensburg vs. California (Pa)
In the PSAC State Game the surprising Shippensburg Red Raiders look to defend their home turf at Seth Grove Stadium. They will host the powerful Cal Vulcans for the top spot in the PSAC (division 2). Ship clinched their first ever PSAC East title with victories over a top five team in Bloomsburg and always tough West Chester. Cal probably should be the favorite this weekend, but Ship tends to play well at home.
The winner will be guaranteed a spot in the division wo playoffs and should receive a first round bye. the loser could miss a playoff seed.
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