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NIU fan here. I'm just wondering what you all think about joining the MAC and what you think Temple will bring to the table. I think your affiliation is just for football, correct me if I'm wrong. Any players that could have great performances this upcoming season? Do you think the Owls can be competitive and if not, when will they?

Temple will bring a program that is in transition for the first two years or so. I think you will see our program go 3-8 at best this upcoming season with a 1 or 2 win season probably more realistic. In all reality a 5-7 win season is a realistic goal for our first full season of MAC play. As for the competitive issue it's a good question and we probably won't know until we go head to head with Buffalo in game 1 of the '06 season. That game will give us a good gauge on Golden's in-game coaching abilities and talent evaluation when compared to the current conference doormat in the Bulls who have also been recruiting from a similar talent pool.

There isn't much talent on the roster right now because the last coaching staff was limited to mostly recruiting JuCo players due to the conference situation. Based on our current roster, a DE named Terrance Knighton is probably our most talented player. If Golden is as good of a recruiter as he is advertised I wouldn't be surpised to see him bring in at least 5 recruits that have more talent/potential than Knighton by national signing day.

You are correct in assuming our affiliation is just for football, but on a personal note, I really hope our administration makes a committment for all sports membership sometime in the near future. Our alumni/fan base is pretty much split on this issue but I really believe having one conference affiliation is the best thing for an athletics program. We'll certainly see what happens with the BE split that may occur in 2010. I think we will stay A10 in all sports but football until the split occurs and if we don't end up becoming a member in a new BE then I definately think we will join the MAC in all sports for good.

My take on the MAC is that it is a much better conference than it is given credit for on a national basis. It probably has much to do with the fact that most of the teams are in close proximity to Big 10 schools.

I don't think the cupboard is as bare as the last poster indicated.

Sr. WR Bruce Gordon is a great talent. I also like returning RBs Mike Neal, Georg Coleman, and Tim Brown.

QB is wide open with three 2005 freshman who all received some PT last year competing with incoming freshmen Jarrett Dunston (enrolled for spring after playing last year for Hargrave MA) and Vaughn Charlton for the job.

Sr. Elliot Seifert and So. Alex Derenthal are the anchors of the OL. I am also interested in seeing K-State transfer Evan Margulies and whether Sr. Sam McNaulty returns. If so, this could be a major strength going up against the MAC schools.

Defensively, we are very inexperienced and will probably be relying upon on some incoming freshmen to step right in and play, including Anthony Ferla, a 1st team All State (NJ) CB.

All in all, it will probably take two to three recruiting classes by Al Golden and staff before the Owls will be able to compete with the upper half of the MAC.

Dan1831 Wrote:I don't think the cupboard is as bare as the last poster indicated.

Dan as a fellow Temple Alum I respect your enthusiasm but we went 0-11 last year and were ranked 118 out of 119 teams. Trust me chief, before this last recruiting class the cubbard was as bare as a cubbard can be.