Navy (3-4) is ready to take on the Temple Owls (2-6) in a huge late season matchup for the Midshipmen. If Navy wants to make a bowl game this season, this is a must win game. Temple has been struggling this season, currently ranking 13th out 14 in the AAC.
This is a huge chance for Navy to pick up another win and make it to a bowl game. Here is what you need to know ahead of Saturday’s matchup in Philadelphia.
Temple Offense
Temple’s offense is struggling through injury right now. Their starting quarterback, EJ Warner, son of NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner, has missed the last two games due to a concussion. He is likely however to return for this game. If Warner doesn’t play, Temple’s backup is senior Quincy Patterson. Patterson is a solid running quarterback, but struggles throwing the ball with consistency. Temple is also dealing with injuries to all of their top four wide receivers.
The offensive line for Temple has held up okay in pass protection, but struggled to generate room in the running game. Temple is averaging just 3.4 yards per carry and a little over 100 yards per game on the ground. If EJ Warner plays, this is going to be a good test for the Navy defense, if he doesn’t, Navy should be able to slow down the Owls offense enough to take a lot of pressure off their own offense.
Temple Defense
Last season, the Owls struggled stopping the run. That theme has continued into this season as they give up over 200 yards per game to opposing rushing attacks. To help take pressure off the defensive line in run defense, Temple likes to play a lot of cover 1 and man defense. This puts more defenders in the box but leaves a lot of 1 on 1 opportunities to throw the ball to the outside of the field.
This is a group that has had some injuries and had to adjust defensively to make it through the season. I expect Navy to run the ball a lot early and take some shots down the field through the game.
Navy Keys to Success
EJ Warner’s health will be a pretty big determining factor in how competitive this game ends up being. If he plays, Temple will have enough firepower to put pressure on Navy. If he doesn’t play, Navy will likely be able to play slow, methodical football, and control the clock easing their way to a win.
It’s never easy to face a triple option offense, but coming off a bye week helps here for Temple. Expect Navy to run the ball a lot against a struggling defense. Temple is likely going to have to air it out to move the ball leading to quick drives. This means that the Temple defense will have to be on the field a lot. I also expect Navy to continue to disguise coverages and blitzes well as they have all year.
This is a great chance for the Midshipmen to pull back to .500 and strengthen their chances of making it to a bowl game this season. Navy is currently -7 point favorites and I look for them to cover that this Saturday.
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