Scouting Temple: Talkin' offense

[1987alum]

OK, time to get serious about the Owls.

On offense, you can expect them to do what everyone else has done against us - run.

Temple has totally revamped its offensive game plan, ditching the spread it employed last year in favor of a more traditional strategy, so they will be in a better position to exploit our defensive weakness.

That task will fall to Umar Ferguson and Michael Billops.

Ferguson is the banger. At 6-0, 215, he's the type of physical back that overpower linebackers. He didn't play against Toledo, then got 33 carries against WMU and churned out 110 yards. In 230 career carries, he has yet to fumble the ball.

Billops is more of the scatback at 5-8, 185. Billops didn't play against WMU, but against Toledo, he carried 18 times for 121 yards.

You'll note that the Owls have had 100-yard rushers against both MAC opponents.

The Owls have the beef up front, too. Their starting O-line goes 6-6/295, 6-4/315, 6-4/280, 6-4/310, 6-7/300. Their center is a freshman, but the rest of the line has plenty of experience, as do the second stringers.

Like the Falcons, the Owls have a ton of receivers on their roster, more than 15. But that's mostly residue from the former spread offense. Bruce Gordon is the most productive receiver (17 catches), but the Owls have been thinking run first. They lost their top receiver from last year.

Mike McGann is the quarterback. He was actually the starter two years ago before Walter Washington was inserted into the lineup, relegating McGann to backup status through all of last year.

McGann is no scrambler. At 6-6/225, he'll remind other BG old-timers more of Brian McClure than Josh Harris. He's a streak passer. When he's hot, which he hasn't been much this year, he's deadly. When he's off, he's deadly to his own team. He's a career 49% passer with a 28/32 TD to INT ratio. On the year, he's 44 of 109 (40.4%) with one TD and 6 INT. He's been sacked six times.

If you think those numbers warrant a change, it's important to note that there's not much behind McGann. He and Washington owned all the snaps the last few years and now McGann is backed up by three freshmen and a sophomore (BTW, he's 6-2, 255!).

So there shouldn't be a lot of surprises from the Temple offense. They'll line up behind their big offensive line and run the football.

[Falconboy]

Sounds like another challange for our front 7. Will they come through? I guess its a case of wait and see this Sat.

[rocketfootball]

I remember reading somewhere that McGann had throw 40 INT's to just 23 TD's in his career going into the Toledo game. He threw 2 INT's and no TD's in that game, but not sure what he had against WMU.

[Falconfreak90]

Thanks for the insight, '87. Good to have a man in the field in Philly!

"Ferguson is the banger. At 6-0, 215, he's the type of physical back that overpower linebackers. He didn't play against Toledo, then got 33 carries against WMU and churned out 110 yards. In 230 career carries, he has yet to fumble the ball."

230 career carries without a fumble is very impressive.

[Rightupinthere]

It seems as though Temple has the weapons to make a game of it. If they are able to establish a running game we may be in trouble.

We should have a better D than WMU and I stress should. Under three yards a carry isn't stellar against the Broncos. Broncs gave up a whopping 127 yards on 45 carries.

Here's what some of the other schools did against WMU's D:

UT: 254 yards on 43 carries or 5.9 YPC
SIU: 117 yards on 35 carries or 3.3 YPC
UVA: 188 on 41 carries or 4.6 YPC

We had freaking BETTER shut down their running game! IS IT SATURDAY YET?

[1987alum]

If they are able to establish a running game we may be in trouble.
----
We had freaking BETTER shut down their running game!

This will be true for the remainder of the year, I'm afraid.

Temple wants to run the ball; they don't want to get into a shootout. It would be gutsy, but not shocking, for Lovett to pull out some 5-man line and 8-in-the-box packages to force Temple's hand.

[ffejfalcon]

You're right 87...Stack the D line and shut down the run. At least start with that and see how it unfolds. Make the adjustments as the game progresses.

I'm sure you will see a more confident Jacobs and offense this week. I hope we are up big by the end of the 3rd qrt so Tuner gets some more reps. Was anyone else impressed with his speed during his stint against Boise? He looked quick....

[1987alum]

You're right 87...Stack the D line and shut down the run. At least start with that and see how it unfolds. Make the adjustments as the game progresses.

I'm sure you will see a more confident Jacobs and offense this week. I hope we are up big by the end of the 3rd qrt so Tuner gets some more reps. Was anyone else impressed with his speed during his stint against Boise? He looked quick....

I thought the same thing about Turner. Someone else mentioned (in another thread) that our backs (Pope, Lane, et al) looked like they were moving in slow motion compared to Boise State's backs. When Turner came in, it looked like he was running in a totally different gear.

[hammb]

You're right 87...Stack the D line and shut down the run. At least start with that and see how it unfolds. Make the adjustments as the game progresses.

I'm sure you will see a more confident Jacobs and offense this week. I hope we are up big by the end of the 3rd qrt so Tuner gets some more reps. Was anyone else impressed with his speed during his stint against Boise? He looked quick....

I thought the same thing about Turner. Someone else mentioned (in another thread) that our backs (Pope, Lane, et al) looked like they were moving in slow motion compared to Boise State's backs. When Turner came in, it looked like he was running in a totally different gear.

Nothing new to add. He definitely had a GREAT burst. If Pope is not healthy I wouldn't mind seeing him line up at HB at all. He's got great speed, and adds versatility back there for sure. I've always been a fan of Lane, but he has not looked good against UW or Boise this year.

I hope he can throw as well as have that great burst though I really see him as more of a Josh Harris type than an Omar type. He is noticeably smaller than Omar (as was Josh), and as such will not be as able to sit in the pocket and toss it around.

[1987alum]

I really see him as more of a Josh Harris type than an Omar type. He is noticeably smaller than Omar (as was Josh), and as such will not be as able to sit in the pocket and toss it around.

That was my impression also.