Wyoming vs. Temple: 5 Things We Learned from the New Mexico Bowl

It is the most wonderful time of the year!

Bowl season is officially here and it started today in the New Mexico Bowl. Both Temple and Wyoming came in as 8-4 squads, but it was the Owls who left with the dominant 37-15 victory.

There are only 34 bowls left, but certainly this had enough fireworks early in the game to get us excited for the New Year's (Jan. 2) bowls and, of course, the BCS National Championship between Alabama and LSU.

However, the first bowl kicked off and I give everybody a look at the five things we learned form the New Mexico Bowl that featured the Temple Owls and the Wyoming Cowboys.

Bowl Season Kicked off the Right Way

There were 35 points scored in the first half, and though millions were likely not watching the New Mexico Bowl, the game provided us enough entertainment to get pumped for the next 34 bowls!

It was a great start as the Temple Owls claimed their second bowl victory in program history and it was the first since 1979.

Plus, the 31 wins by this senior class was the most in Owls history, and it goes to show how much of an impact head coach Steve Addazio has already made in just one season.

Note: From 2001-2008 the Owls once were 21-72!

Bernard Pierce Is Ready for the NFL

I am not saying he will be the next Arian Foster (Todd McShay drew the comparison), but he can become a capable backup as a rookie next season (just a junior, likely to declare).

Listed at 6'1", 218 pounds, the junior does not have elite speed but is an exceptional north-south runner who will become a mid-round pick if he leaves early (54 career TDs).

Pierce toted the rock 25 times for 100 yards with two touchdowns, as he was named the New Mexico Bowl MVP. His backup may be much smaller in stature, but Matt Brown (5'5", 170pounds) is ready to take the reins next season.

The Owls Defense Is Better Than America Thinks

Temple led the MAC and was 17th in the nation with 32 sacks (2.67 per), with a future NFL player in defensive end Adrian Robinson. Temple also ranked 15th in total defensive yards allowed (315.5 YPG). They were also 26th against the run (122 YPG) and 21st in pass efficiency defense (114 YPG).

The linebackers can fly around better than any unit in the MAC and they proved that by shutting down the Wyoming Cowboys offense.

Wyoming came in led by their freshman quarterback Brett Smith, but Temple was able to pick off three of his passes which set the temp early in the first half. Once the Owls had the quick 21-0 lead, the front four was able to pin their ears back while the secondary blanketed the Cowboys receivers.

Future Looks Bright for Wyoming

Dave Christensen has reportedly agreed in principle to five years, according to ESPN’s Joe Schad, and the future looks bright with freshman quarterback Brett Smith.

Despite the lackluster performance, Wyoming did manage to go 8-5 with the four regular-season losses to Boise State, TCU, Utah State and Nebraska (bowl teams, three near BCS-caliber teams arguably).

Throw in the fact that this Cowboys squad was fourth in the nation in turnover margin (+1.33), and the former Toledo/Missouri offensive coordinator finally has this program heading in the perfect direction. 

Temple May Win the MAC Next Season Under Steve Addazio

The future looks even brighter for the fighting Bill Cosbys because they are starting to get some legit players in Philadelphia.

They had a second-round pick last year in safety Jaiquawn Jarrett, and Bernard Pierce would be a solid Day 2 pick if and when he declares.

Temple does not turn the ball over, and sophomore quarterback Chris Coyer should have a sensational junior season with running back Matt Brown coming back on top of another year under Steve Addazio.

Though Toledo, Ohio and Northern Illinois have been the favorites lately, it is only a matter of time before the Owls capture the MAC championship.