Penn State vs Temple: Game Preview, Over/Under, Spread, Predictions and TV Info

The Penn State Nittany Lions are looking to put their painful loss to Alabama behind them, while the Temple Owls are seeking a signature win that will put them on the map this season. Temple is 2-0 and has won by 35 points in each of their first two games.

Penn State is a completely different animal than Temple's first two opponents, though. The Owls are going to have to bring their "A" game if they want to take down Penn State. The Nittany Lions won't climb back into the rankings with this win, but it's the first step.

Where: Lincoln Financial Field

When: Saturday, September 17th, 12:00 PM EST

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: ESPN3

Spread: Penn State -7

Note: Line provided by Bodog

This spread is a thing of beauty. Take Penn State -7. Let's be real, Temple doesn't have a shutdown defense and they aren't an offensive powerhouse. They played bad teams that made them look great and Penn State isn't going to find themselves caught up in a battle with Temple.

Over/Under: 40.5

Take the over. Penn State has already shown their ability to ruin a bad team and put up mega points. Temple hasn't been held to under 40 all season. No way these teams score less than 40.5 combined.

Key Injuries

Penn State

     Chima Okoli- Questionable

     Stephfon Green- Doubtful

     Mike Farrell- Out

     Paul Jones- Out

Temple

     No major injuries to report

BCS/Top-25 Poll Implications

Voters are ignoring Temple right now, and rightfully so. Until the Owls show they can produce at a high level against a legitimate football team, they can't be considered a top-25 team. If they are able to beat Penn State, all of that will change.

Penn State is in somewhat of a catch-22. Win and they prove nothing. Lose and their season goes out the window. This is a chance for them to get some confidence back and prove to themselves that they are much more than just another bubble team.

Keys to Penn State Win

Penn State can't be caught lamenting the Alabama loss. Feeling sorry for themselves isn't the way the Nittany Lions are going to get back in the rankings, though that shouldn't be a problem. It's hard to believe Temple will catch them licking their wounds.

Penn State has to take this game seriously. They face a string of opponents they should handle fairly easily. Dropping even one would doom them for the rest of the season. They need to kick this stretch off right and treat this game like their season depends on it, because essentially it does.

Keys to Temple Win

Temple has to come out with the same mindset and swagger they came out with against Villanova and Akron. Yeah, that's Penn State on the other sideline, but the moment they start believing they don't belong on the same field as Penn State, they've already lost.

Bernard Pierce also has to do some damage. This is a back who can really explode for huge numbers. Just under 300 yards in two games and six touchdowns to boot is a great way to start this season off. He's not going to pick up that sort of yardage this week, but the Owls can still get him going on the ground and establish an offense early on.

Prediction

Penn State 30, Temple 17

This seems a little generous, but Temple has shown nothing but great things on the field this season. They have to be given some credit for what they've accomplished, they just aren't there yet. Penn State has a better offense than they've put forth thus far. Expect to see them really try to pour it on if they get the chance to.