Temple Owls vs. Villanova Wildcats: Preview, How to Watch & Prediction

Start Time: September 9th, 2017 at 3:30 p.m. EST

Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

TV: ESPN3

Live Coverage: 97.5 The Fanatic and WHIP Radio

All-Time Series: 15-16-2 vs. Villanova

Last Meeting: 8/31/13. Villanova 10 - Temple 41

Temple Owls Outlook

It was a rough first outing for Geoff Collins in his head coaching debut as Notre Dame dominated the Owls in the trenches. It was a bad matchup for the cherry and white as the Irish strength is along the offensive and defensive lines, while Temple has a lot of turnover at those spots. Temple's offensive line couldn't create any push for Ryquell Armstead to get going, and the defensive line was manhandled as Josh Adams and company rushed for 422 yards on the ground.

If there was one positive to take away from the season opener it's that the Owls hope to have found their man at quarterback. Logan Marchi was 19-for-35 for 245 yards and touchdowns. More importantly, we did not turn the ball over in his first start on the road in South Bend. That in itself is an achievement.

It's never a good thing when your safeties - regardless of how good Delvon Randall and Sean Chandler can be - are the team leaders in tackles. In order for Collins to right the ship, he will need to get Armstead going and stop opposing teams on the ground. Notre Dame features the best lines the Owls will face this season so expect a better performance on both sides of the ball.

Villanova Wildcats Outlook

Nova enters this contest as the No. 6 team in the FCS, coming off a 38-35 victory over the Lehigh Mountain Hawks. The win gave new head coach Mark Ferrante his first career victory. The Wildcats were led by quarterback Zach Bednarczyk, who finished 17 of 23 for 209 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for 73 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. It was the fifth time on Bednarczyk's career he had at least one rushing touchdown and passing touchdown in the same game.

The performance from their dual-threat QB allowed the Wildcats to jump out to an early lead over Lehigh. Senior RB Matt Gudzak paced the Wildcats on the ground with a career-high 142 yards and two touchdowns in the win. This is not a team lacking in confidence as they returned five players who made the Colonial Athletic Association All-Conference players last season.

Prediction

Villanova is going to have to hit Temple right in the mouth early if they want to make this a ball game. The Owls were reeling right out of the gate last week, but they were going against a Notre Dame team that was clearly more talented than them. That will not be the case Saturday. In their last three matchups, Temple has outscored Villanova 114-41. Expect the Owls to take this one handedly as well and give Collins his first career win.

Villanova 20 - Temple 44