Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scor

FACTS & STATS: Site: Perry Stadium (23.724) -- Bowling Green, Ohio. Television: BCSN, Espn3.com. Home Record: Temple 2-2, BGSU 1-2. Away Record: Temple 3-0, BGSU 2-2. Neutral Record: Temple 0-0, BGSU 0-0. Conference Record: Temple 3-1, BGSU 1-2. Series Record: Bowling Green leads, 7-4.

GAME NOTES: The Temple Owls have proven to be one of the elite teams in the Mid-American Conference and will look to prove it again when they take on the Bowling Green Falcons at Perry Stadium.

Since suffering their second loss on the year with a 36-13 setback to Toledo, the Owls have been outstanding, posting two straight shutouts in decisions over Ball State and Buffalo. The Owls have been a fierce squad on the road, allowing just 10 points in three road matchups.

As for the Falcons, they have fallen on hard times. After winning three of their first four games the Falcons have suffered three straight setbacks. Bowling Green was trounced by West Virginia and Western Michigan, but this past weekend the team fought hard against Toledo. Even though BGSU hung through the matchup the team still landed in the loss column once again, 28-21.

The Owls narrowly defeated Bowling Green last year, 28-27, cutting the Falcon's lead in the all-time series to 7-4. The biggest issue for the Owls in this series has come on the road, as they are currently winless in four tries in Bowling Green.

Typically when experts start naming some of the top backs in the nation they usually start with players such as LaMichael James and Trent Richardson, and rightfully so because both are very talented tailbacks. However, there is a hugely talented back that resides in the MAC, and his name is Bernard Pierce.

The junior has been nothing short of sensational this season and rolls into this weekend with 17 touchdowns already under his belt. Two weeks ago Pierce set the school's all-time rushing touchdown mark, passing Paul Palmer, and in last week's decision over Buffalo the all conference tailback was in a record- breaking mood once again.

After rushing for 152 yards and two scores, Pierce became the all-time touchdown leader at Temple, also passing Palmer for that honor and is now tied with the former Owl with 264 points in his career. Pierce has already rushed for 844 yards in seven games.

It is also helpful that the Owls have a capable backup so Pierce does not have to carry the load. Last week against the Bulls, the elite tailback carried the ball just once in the second half and gave way to Matt Brown, who finished with 120 yards, giving him 443 on the year.

The success on the ground is needed for Temple, because the Owls have been atrocious through the air. Mike Gerardi and Chester Stewart have both encountered major problems and have combined for just five touchdowns and four interceptions.

Clearly if this offense is going to be successful it will have to rely on the play of Pierce and Brown.

Obviously most of the talk of Temple revolves around Pierce, but the defense has been equally important this year, and through seven games this unit is allowing just 9.6 ppg, which is second best in the nation.

The Owls are coming off their second consecutive shutout, and this is the second straight year that Temple has posted back-to-back shutouts. In the win over the Bulls, the Owls surrendered just 155 total yards.

Temple held the Bulls to just 71 rushing yards, and this unit has put forth a similar effort in each game in that department, which is why the team is currently 10th in the nation against the run, limiting teams to just 87.1 ypg.

The defense has been equally up to the task against the pass, and that is because of the pressure the front line has supplied. Temple has racked up 40 TFLs and 20 sacks thus far. Leading the way is Tahir Whitehead and Adrian Robinson as the two players have four sacks apiece.

While Temple's offense is predicated around the run, the Falcons have relied more on the pass and come into this weekend averaging 258.9 ypg through the air.

Matt Schilz is a big reason for the team's success in that department, as the quarterback has thrown for 1,697 yards and 17 touchdowns. Kamar Jorden and Eugene Cooper have been the top two options for Schilz as both players have six touchdowns apiece. Jorden is leading the team with 42 receptions and 521 yards, while Cooper is averaging a healthy 13.4 ypc.

The ground attack has played second fiddle in this offense, but thanks to the play of Anthon Samuels the Falcons have a legitimate horse in the stable. So far the tailback has rushed for 592 yards and four touchdowns, and is coming off a 105-yard performance in the loss to Toledo.

Bowling Green only lost by seven in the contest and might have won if Schilz had a better showing. The quarterback completed just 21-of-42 passes and finished with 220 yards and one score, but was also intercepted once as well.

Schilz will likely have a tough time against Temple's defense, but if BGSU is going to win the quarterback must overcome and lead the way.

The defense will also have to perform at a higher level, because right now the unit is just not good enough to help the team land in the win column. Last week the Rockets, who usually throw more than run, rumbled for 268 yards and four touchdowns. That does not bode well for the defense with Pierce coming to town.

However, this has been a major concern for the coaching staff all year long and right now this unit is being punished for 194.1 yards per contest and has already surrendered 16 rushing touchdowns.

There are a few bright spots for this unit though, one being Dwayne Woods, who is currently leading the team with 58 tackles and eight TFLs. Woods will need to be at his best Saturday if the Falcons have a prayer of slowing down Pierce and company.

Pierce is a handful for any team, especially one that is struggling against the run. Clearly the Owls have an advantage in this matchup, but the bigger showdown will be the passing attack of BGSU versus Temple's tenacious defense. Bowling Green is home, but the Owls have been strong on the road and should remain flawless as the visitor.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Temple 31, Bowling Green 17