Saturday August 31

Temple at Notre Dame (-30)

First ever meeting.  Temple is breaking in their third head coach in four years, former OC and reported "players choice" Matt Rhule (...we all know how that typically plays out) after Steve Adazio bolted to try and resuscitate the Boston College program.  The Owls will continue their Philly version of conference affiliation roulette as a member of the newly formed AAC this year after a 1 year return to the Big East, after a few years in the MAC, after getting unceremoniously booted from the Big East in 2004.  Temple has 8 returning starters from a offense that just about flat-lined a year ago en route to a 4-7 finish (86th in scoring in the FBS last season).  Rhule is reportedly trying to convert the Owls to more of a pro-spread, pass-focused offensive system after a lot of years of ground chuck and will look to first time starter Connor Reilly to direct the attack.  Good luck with that.  Reilly, a junior, had 0 pass attempts last season.  None. Only one starter returns from a pretty porous 2012 Temple defensive line (a shade under 200 rushing yards/game allowed last year).

IFP says:
Notre Dame win probability = 96%
Notre Dame cover probability = 62%

This one will be no hoot for the Owls.  We don't see Temple cracking double-figures on the scoreboard and we fully expect the Irish to introduce a handful of either reasonably new or brand new home run hitters on offense (WRs Chris Brown, Corey Robinson, and James Onwualu in particular) en route to racking up 500+ yards of total offense.  There will be no gnashing of teeth about Tommy Reese from loyal IFP readers this Saturday.  And the Notre Dame defense, behind arguably one of the best D-Lines in America, should pick up right where they left off at the end of the regular season a year ago.  Raise your hand if you can't wait to see 5-star LB deluxe Jayon Smith trot out onto the field at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday afternoon!!

The gold hats roll and cover.  Notre Dame 42 - Temple 6.