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Mack leads surging South Florida past No. 21 Temple, 44-23

Temple has a one-game lead over the Bulls in the East Division with two games remaining on its schedule-home contests against Memphis and CT. The challenge now is to finish strong after stumbling Saturday night. “I think that’s what is exciting for us and what motivates us each week”.

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Ugh… That was your cue to gasp shockingly, people.

Temple football is now ranked No. 21 in both the latest AP Poll as well as the Coaches Poll.

The basketball ones probably do not favor the Owls, but an objective view of the football ones certainly do at 5-4 South Florida, also at 7 p.m. on the same network at Raymond James Stadium.

Last week’s play should have been a wakeup call.

As a passer, Flowers is actually having a similar season to that of his counterpart in this match-up, P.J. Walker. They’re also 7-2 against the spread while South Florida is 5-4 straight up and 6-2 at the betting window. Walker is averaging just 1.8 yards per carry and has only scored on the ground twice.

More importantly, Flowers’ abilities as both a passer and runner have opened things up for his backfield running mate, Marlon Mack. Mack has totaled 835 yards on carries for a 5.8 average per attempt while scoring four times. Flowers connected on a 68-yard scoring strike to wide receiver Rodney Adams to make it 7-7 in the first quarter after Temple had taken the lead on a 1-yard plunge by running back Jahad Thomas. The sophomore is USF’s second-leading rusher, with 657 yards, and is without a doubt the engine that makes the Bulls go.

USF’s offense capitalized off of a awful performance from Temple’s defense. Last year, the Bulls defense was put in bad situations and gassed by the end of games routinely.

The game could be determined by how USF’s surging offense does against Temple’s defense, which is allowing 18.4 points per game. It won’t be pretty football, but it is important football in deciding the AAC East.

A win sends Temple into the inaugural American championship game on December 5….

SIX NOT ENOUGH: USF is trying to become bowl eligible for the first time in five years, but coach Willie Taggart said the team is not focused on that.

With this win, the Owls clinch the AAC Eastern Division title and all indications are they will do just that.

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The Owls better void their heads of any thoughts about next week’s match-up with the Tigers. They didn’t even come close to doing that tonight, and it may have cost them a shot at a New Year’s Day bowl.

Jahad Thomas Nate Godwin