Temple primed for late season run; Penn looking for three in a row; Villanova eyes bounce back

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Temple (4-5, 2-3 AAC) vs. Cincinnati (3-6, 1-4 AAC)
Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Friday, 7 p.m., ESPN2


Last time out
Temple beat Navy, 34-26, on Thursday.

Cincinnati beat Tulane, 17-16, on Saturday.

Scouting report
Both teams are fighting to stay bowl eligible. An Owls' win would knock the Bearcats out of bowl contention and an Owls' loss would leave them with zero margin for error and a game against top-25 ranked UCF on the horizon.

Temple has played two solid offensive games in a row behind new starting QB Frank Nutile, who completed 22 of 30 passes for 289 yards, four touchdowns and just one interception in last week’s upset victory against Navy. Nutile will face a tough Bearcats' pass defense this weekend that gives up just 208 yards per game, which is second in the AAC, and has allowed 16 touchdowns on the season.

What it means
If Temple wants to have any chance to make a bowl game, they have to win two of their last three.

Series history
Temple owns the series lead 11-7-1 and has won the last two matchups between the teams, including a 34-13 blowout last year.

What’s next?
Temple hosts Central Florida.

Cincinnati travels to play East Carolina.

Penn (4-4, 2-3 Ivy) at Harvard (5-3, 3-2 Ivy)
Harvard Stadium, Boston, Massachusetts
12:00 p.m. Saturday

Last time out
Penn defeated Princeton, 38-35, Saturday.

Harvard defeated Columbia 21-14, Saturday.

Scouting report
The matchup to watch this weekend is the battle in the trenches. Harvard has a strong rush defense that is one of the best in the Ivy League and Penn’s rushing offense is second in the conference. Harvard allows only 102 yards per game on the ground, second in the conference. Penn rushes for 180 yards per game. Only Yale (230) averages more on a per game basis. Since Harvard has eight interceptions (second in the Ivy) this season, look for Penn to pound the football to try to add to its win total.

Series history
This is the 88th meeting between the teams. The Crimson hold a 48-37-2 advantage and the Quakers won 27-14 last season.

What’s next?
Penn hosts Cornell.

Harvard is at Yale.

Villanova (4-5, 2-4 CAA) at Rhode Island (2-7, 1-5 CAA)
Meade Stadium, Kingston, Rhode Island
12:00 p.m. Saturday

Last time out
Villanova lost to Richmond, 22-0, Saturday.

Rhode Island lost to James Madison, 38-3, Saturday.

Scouting report
Villanova is known this season for its run defense, which is the best in the Colonial. The Wildcats allow just 71 yards per game on the ground and Rhode Island is the 10th best rushing offense in the conference. The Rams, on the other hand, are one of the better passing offenses in the Colonial. They average 231 yards through the air, third best in the conference. Whoever can sustain success in their respective strength will come out on top in this matchup.

Series history
Villanova leads the series 19-3. The Wildcats won 35-0 last season.

What’s next?
Villanova hosts Delaware.

Rhode Island is at Towson.

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