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During Dark Times For Philly Pro Sports, Temple Football Shines Bright

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - We watched the Eagles hit rock bottom this past week. The flyers are underachieving. The Sixers are historically bad. And the Phillies...well, no need to even go there.

So who is left to root for in the city?

"Our four for four professional teams are terrible," Temple alum John Harrison says. "The Owls have had a chance to light a little bit of a fire inside the fan base."

Yes many say the Temple Owls are the best thing going in Philadelphia sports right now.

"I'm a season ticket holder for the Eagles and I'd rather come to these games," says fan John Bollendorf.

"Considering how terrible Philly pro sports are this year, it's great to have Temple be at the forefront basically of sports in Philadelphia," adds fellow fan Joe Miller.

After beating UConn Saturday night, the Owls advance to the AAC title game, something that's really exciting for longtime fans like Steve Marvel:

"I used to go to the Vet to watch Temple play, and now to see all this, it's great."

Student Ben Salazer says while the Eagles, Phillies, Flyers and Sixers continue to struggle, it's a great time to be a Temple supporter:

"I am a big fan of every sports team in this city, and Temple football is the best sports team in the city by far."

His dad, Mark, is a professor at Temple and sees everyday the impact this team has had:

"I take the train in, I see Temple gear all over the place. This team has really lit up the city."

Not only have they lit up the city, but as JoAnn Kovatch -- the mother of a Temple cheerleader -- points out, they've filled a void as well:

"We need something to root for and cheer for and why not be the Temple team?"

Next up for the Owls, a matchup with Houston for the conference championship next weekend.

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