My top 3 are:

Mike McGann
Henry Burress
Adam DiMichele

In all the excitement, I forgot to mention how great the senior PK's fake punt was.

Great job by him.

Even though the defense didn't play its best game Friday night against SMU and the game almost gave me a heart attack, the win was a classic. The Owls showed the poise and determination to win a game like this, which in past years we would have yacked up.

Brendan McGowan did well replacing Kyle Friend. Jager Gardner and Ryquell Armstead did yeoman's work in place of Jahad Thomas early. Gardner's 94-yard run was electrifying. At that point, I thought it would be a stress-free win. Robby Anderson, Ventell Bryant, Romond Deloatch, John Christopher, Adonis Jennings, Saladeen Major and Colin Thompson were great.

Sean Chandler had a couple bad interference calls, but the kid is a flat-out stud and a serious playmaker. He has three INT's and two are for TDs. And SMU punted away from him every time last night. The kid who has really flashed for me is freshman S Delvon Randall. He takes a few bad angles and misses a tackle or two, but when he does tackle, it's violent. He really wraps guys up. And he's a monster on special teams. He's a major hitter and will be a stud at safety for three more years after this season when he finally gets a lot of playing time.

Overall, I can't say enough about intestinal fortitude of the players. This was the prefect trap game, but they kept battling and pulled it out. I'm just as proud as I was last Saturday night.

A full slate of games that interest Owl fans.

For the games not being played on NYs eve or NYD ( Cotton, orange, fiesta or peach) how will the bowls determine which team will play in each bowl?
I understand that the conferences are already determined, but if we don't gain an access bowl is there a slotting system or is it just a witches brew of matching fan demographics with each game?

why didn't Austin Jones kick off?

536 yds of Offense, 268 Passing and 268 Rushing.

Are you kidding me.

Gutsy win. Go Owls!

I'm concerned about this game. The ND game was tough & we sustained a lot of key injuries. Key players, perhaps Thomas. I hope the backups can step up & continue the great play so far this year. But we have seen our OWLS not play well against teams they are heavily favored. I'll be screaming at the TV to motivate them.

Ive been torturing myself all week with the "what-ifs" and I need to stop but I have one more what if. I wasn't playing close attention to this so I could be wrong but it appeared to me that Nate L Smith was playing the majority of the game ahead of Will Hayes. And I know Nate was injured on that one big play on their last drive. What if he hadn't been injured on that play? Would he have been the safety lined up in Cover 2 on Will Fuller's TD? Would he have made the play?

Ok, Im done. On to SMU.

Go Owls!

Lost in all of post game with Notre Dame was the clutch kicking of Austin Jones. How sweet was it to not to have to cover your eyes on any of his kicking duties!

Had a chance to talk to Ferebory Keita, Sedee's brother, about his recruitment.

https://temple.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1806716

Awesome video documenting last week. Must watch.

Video here

I was previously under the impression that the G5 school with the highest ranking in the College Football Playoff poll would be awarded one of the New Year's Day Bowls (e.g. Fiesta). After further review of the College Football Playoff website, it appears that the highest rated conference champion gains a spot in the major bowls...and the payday that comes with it. See excerpts below.

When not hosting semifinals, the Cotton, Fiesta and Peach Bowls will welcome displaced conference champions and the top-ranked champion from a non-contract conference

A conference will receive $4 million for each team that plays in a non-playoff bowl under the arrangement (in 2014-2015, the Cotton, Fiesta and Peach Bowls).

So if my understanding is correct, the team that wins this year's AAC championship is likely to play in either the Fiesta or Peach Bowl. I can't see an MWC or MAC champion being ranked higher than a Houston, Memphis, or Temple...or possibly even Navy. So, the AAC is currently poised for a NYD bowl. And Temple's path to the AAC championship game and a shot at a NYD Bowl appears fairly undaunting at this point.

Am I missing something?

Its been mentioned a few times on other threads but I thought it was worth its own thread. This is a major week for the AAC. The majority of the games thus far have been obvious. Nobody expected Memphis or Houston to lose up until this week. By AAC standards, this is a pretty important week:

Cincy - Houston: Cincy needs this to keep any hope of catching up to us in the division. Houston obviously has its own problems in keeping up with Navy and Memphis. I think a desperate, nothing to lose Cincy team pulls this one out over a Houston squad that might be playing a little nervous with their ranking and trying to keep up.

Navy - Memphis: Obviously two of the heavy weights in the other division. Navy is not getting enough credit nationally b/c they lost to ND but they are a legit squad who will give a weak Memphis d fits. If they can get a lead early and keep pounding on that Memphis defense I think they have a real shot to win this. The key for them will be not letting Memphis score quick. Gotta make them work and run down the clock with each of their drives. I think Memphis pulls this one out though.

USF - ECU: Maybe the most understated matchup of the week but I know I will be paying attention to this one as USF is next in line for us. But also they have looked like a tough squad so far and have been a bit of a surprise. Their defense has some really talented players. They had a few bad losses on their record but have played tough teams. Played Memphis to within one touchdown. To me, these two teams are both squarely in the middle of the pack as far as AAC talent goes but if USF can go out and lay the hammer to ECU, I think they can really elevate their status in the conference and will give them some extra confidence coming into the Temple game. I got USF pulling this one out in a close one.

Chris Mullin off to a swimming start at Saint Johns... At least he can recruit though...

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...exhibition-loss-division-ii-st-thomas-aquinas

If this had happened to us, the board on here would have Dunphy's head on platter.

Any word on whether he's going to flip from PSU to Temple?

More and more I think it makes sense for Matt Rhule to stay (he has so many ties here and I think he'll think twice before leaving after what happened with Al and Steve) but I am worried Phil Snow gets a godfather offer and leaves. 2 straight years of nationally ranked defense and with the increase profile of this team I can see him getting some great offers for a Power5 D coordinator or even a potential mid-major head coach. He doesn't really have any ties here, not that I know of, and has coached all over the country. Anyone that follows this stuff closely have any ideas of potential landing spots/openings?

No game time as of yet. I assume next week we will know. If both teams are still ranked, I expect another prime time game, not on ABC, but perhaps one of the ESPNs. #TEMPLERISING

Kyle Friend out a couple of weeks.

Jh Thomas is questionable

No Tavon Young, Kip Patton or Nate D. And a few others.

Some good news may be coming..

ND = #5 (first team out of playoff)
Memphis = #13
Toledo = #24
Houston = #25

Owls 11.5 point favorites.