Temple football has been here before. The Owls are staring their first-ever Mid-American conference championship in the face in the final weeks of the season, and facing an Ohio Bobcats team with their own plans for a MAC title.
On Wednesday night, the Owls (5-3, 3-2 MAC) meet the Bobcats (5-3, 2-2 MAC) in prime time on ESPN. The winner will emerge with a clear path to the conference championship, and control of its own destiny. The loser will need some help.
The Owls enter the matchup tied in the loss column with conference foes Ohio and Miami (Ohio). The Owls meet the Red Hawks next week. If Temple wins out on its schedule, it will be MAC Champions.
But you have to win the games. In 2009, the Owls brought a nine-game win streak into a game against the Bobcats, but it was the Bobcats who used the game as a springboard to a league title. In 2010, the Owls lost fell to Ohio and Miami (Ohio) in its last two games of the season and was not selected to a bowl game despite winning eight games.
Of course, not everything is the same -- head coach Steve Addazio wasn't in Philadelphia the last two seasons. On Wednesday night Temple will find out if more has changed than just the man wearing the headset.
Game Time: 8 p.m.
TV Schedule: ESPN
Online Stream: ESPN3.com
Location: Peden Stadium (Athens, Ohio)