Expectations Remain High For Temple Owls
NORTH PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Temple Owls remain in control of their own destiny. The key is not to look too far ahead to the finish line.
Temple can clinch the American Athletic Conference East Division title and a trip to the conference title game with victories in its last three games. The next test will come on Friday night when Temple plays at Connecticut. The Owls have won five of six, while the Huskies have dropped five off their last six.
Mismatch? Not according to Temple Coach Matt Rhule.
"I know Connecticut and I know the games we've had against each other," said Rhule. "Even last year we had a decent lead, but it was touch and go all the way down to the fourth quarter. It's going to be a tremendous, tremendous battle."
The Owls rolled past the Huskies the past two years by a combined score of 63-13, but many of the battles in previous seasons have gone down to the wire. The combination of the respect for the Huskies and the importance of the final three games has kept Quarterback Phillip Walker and his teammates focused heading into Friday night's contest.
"I feel like we have to play our best football each week to accomplish what we want to accomplish," Walker said. "I think it's a great opportunity for us to go out there and play each game like a championship game."
It has been a tough grind for the Owls since they began practice during the summer. They have not enjoyed a week off, but the bye week is finally on the horizon after Friday night. Senior Linebacker Avery Williams has the rest of the upperclassmen have emphasized to the younger players throughout the week about taking care of business Friday night before spending a week away from football.
"We've got to win every game so we can go to the championship," Williams said. "This week is probably going to be the hardest week because you've got a lot of guys who are probably looking forward to the bye week, so it's our job as seniors to get rid of that mentality and not look forward to the bye week."
Another reason why the Owls have a healthy dose of respect for the Huskies is because of the familiarity between the two teams. Several players who met on the gridiron in high school will be matched up against each other, and Connecticut has ten Pennsylvania players on their roster. It is a true regional rivalry between these two American Conference foes.
"There is not one part of our team that thinks of us as a favorite in this game," Rhule said. "They're playing against guys they played against in high school. The guys from Connecticut are going back home."
