Who’s up next for the Owls: Big East Conference Preview

After a sloppy loss to Boston College to open its conference play, Temple has its hands full for the next six weeks. Here’s a look at what the Owls will encounter.

No. 2 Miami Hurricanes: (2-0 in Big East, 6-0 Overall)
Outlook:
This is Miami’s last year in the Big East, as it will switch to the Atlantic Coast Conference next year. They haven’t lost a conference game since the 1999 season, and have strung together 26 consecutive Big East wins. Although the Hurricanes needed a field goal to defeat West Virginia at home two weeks ago, they’re still favorites to make it to the Bowl Championship Series. Florida transfer quarterback Brock Berlin leads Miami’s offense, but with a season-ending injury to lead rusher Frank Gore, talented tight end Kellen Winslow will be asked to do more, as well as Jarrett Payton, son of NFL-great Walter Payton. Temple travels to the Orange Bowl this weekend, a place where Miami hasn’t lost in 25 games. Miami hasn’t lost to Temple since 1930.

Key Players:

TE Kellen Winslow Jr.: 32 rec-348 yards, 1 TDs
RB Jarrett Payton: 67 attempts-305 yards, 3 TDs
FS Sean Taylor: 42 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 6 INT, 2 TDs

Rutgers: (3-3, 0-2)
Outlook:
The Scarlet Knights are trying to get their first conference win since 1999, and have only won three Big East games in the last six years. They are an experienced team returning 43 letter winners and 13 starters from last year.

Key Players:

QB Ryan Hart: 99-of-170 for 1,251 yards, 8 TDs, 10 INTs
CB Jarvis Jones: 52 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, 1 block kick, 2 INT, 1 TD
DE Raheem Orr: 43 tackles, 11.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 4 QBH, 1 FR

Syracuse Orangemen: (3-2, 0-1)
Outlook:
After a disappointing two and five conference record last season, coach Paul Pasqualoni is looking to bounce back with a great rushing attack. His team leads the Big East in rushing offense headed by junior Walter Reyes, who has averaged a league leading 164.8 all-purpose yards per game and has scored 13.6 points per contest. This season the Owls go up north to the rowdy Carrier Dome where they have a career record of 2-16.

Key Players:

RB Walter Reyes: 108 carries, 721 yards, 11 TDs
WR Johnnie Morant: 24 rec., 428 yards, 2 TDs
LB Rich Scanlon: 64 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2 QBH, 1 sack