Temple ready for prime time; Penn looking to go back to back; Villanova out for revenge

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Temple (3-5, 1-4 AAC) vs. Navy (5-2)
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Thursday, 8 p.m., ESPN

Last time out
Temple lost to Army, 31-28 (OT), on Oct 21.

Navy lost to UCF, 31-21, on Oct 21.

Scouting report
In a rematch of last season’s AAC Championship Game, both teams are coming off a much-needed bye. Navy comes into Philadelphia on a two-game losing streak, with its starting quarterback Zach Abey recovering from a concussion, and needs just one more win for an automatic bowl berth. Temple, on the other hand, must win three of its four remaining games to become bowl eligible. 

History is not in the Owls' favor, as the Midshipmen are undefeated in 12 games at the Linc (two wins against Temple, 10 wins against Army). The Midshipmen also boast the best rushing offense in the nation at 376.1 yards per game, led by Abey, who is expected to play Thursday. Abey has rushed for 1,142 yards on the ground so far this season, which is good for second in the nation, as well as 13 touchdowns. If he plays, the Owls' defense must slow him down for a chance to win. 

For Temple, redshirt junior quarterback Frank Nutile will make his second career start. He completed 20 of 29 passes for 290 yards, a touchdown and no turnovers in his first start against Army on Oct. 21.

What it means
If Temple wants to have any chance to make a bowl game, it has to win three of its last four.

Series history
This will be the 13th meeting between Temple and Navy, with the series locked at 6-6. The last time the two teams played was in last year’s AAC championship game, which the Owls won, 34-10.

What’s next?
Temple travels to Cincinnati.

Navy hosts SMU.

Penn (3-4, 1-3 Ivy) vs. Princeton (5-2, 2-2 Ivy)
Franklin Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1 p.m. Saturday


Last time out
Penn defeated Brown, 17-7, Saturday.

Princeton lost to Cornell 29-28, Saturday.

Scouting report
Princeton’s high-powered offense will meet up with Penn’s poor scoring defense. The Tigers lead the Ivy League by scoring 39 points per game and are gaining an average of 480 yards per game on offense. Penn’s defense is the opposite. They rank seventh in both scoring defense and in total defense. The Quakers allow 27.7 points per game and a total of 409 yards on defense. This could be a long day at the office for the Quakers.

Series history
This is the 109th meeting between the teams. The Tigers hold a 66-41-1 advantage and Princeton won 28-0 last year. 

What’s next?
Penn is at Harvard.

Princeton hosts Yale.

Villanova (4-4, 2-3 CAA) vs. Richmond (4-4, 2-3 CAA)
Villanova Stadium, Villanova, Pennsylvania
1 p.m. Saturday


Last time out
Villanova lost to Elon, 19-14, Saturday.

Richmond lost to Stony Brook, 27-24, Saturday.

Scouting report
The key matchup here will be Richmond’s passing game against Villanova’s pass defense. So far this season, Richmond has thrown for an average of 370 yards per game, the most in the Colonial, and Villanova’s pass defense has allowed 253 passing yards per game. Villanova’s rush defense has been dominant so their secondary will have to step up in a big way against the Spiders. Richmond quarterback Kyle Lauletta has completed 64 percent of his passes and has thrown for 26 touchdowns. Villanova’s secondary will get work early and often.

Series history
Villanova leads the series, 22-12. The Spiders won 23-0 last season.

What’s next?
Villanova is at Rhode Island next Saturday.

Richmond is at James Madison next Saturday.

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