Notre Dame football is featured in the ESPN College Gameday host contest for the second time this season. Again, it’s on the road, as the Fighting Irish head to Philadelphia. Gameday will originate from the Independence Mall. This marks the 27th time that GameDay has originated from a Notre Dame game site, including the once studio-based show’s road debut at the Joyce Center before the 1993 Florida State game.
Since this event game is in Philly, maybe the Fresh Prince will be in attendance? Or Boyz II Men?
TV: ABC 7 PM Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Heather Cox
SPREAD: Notre Dame football -10
#21 Temple (7-0) Preview:
This is Temple’s first-ever ranked matchup against a ranked team. Crediting Stephen Colbert, it’s a “Superb Owl,” as the Owls are undefeated this under third year coach Matt Rhule, who is 15-16 overall. Temple blew out a very good Penn State team in week one, but the rest of their slate lacks signature wins.
Notre Dame football Coach Brian Kelly giving a synopsis of Temple:
“Offensively, they bring a lot of different personnel groupings at you. Thomas, the running back, certainly, Walker, are the two that obviously are the energy to that offense. But have big-play capabilities with Anderson and Brian at the wide receiver position. They want to run the football, play-action pass. But utilizing a lot of different schemes and personnel groupings.”
The head of the Notre Dame football Sports Information Department John Heisler sent out a preview of this game on the official ND football website. Here’s an excerpt:
“Philadelphia actually may have been known more as a college basketball hotbed, thanks to Big Five (Villanova, Drexel, Penn, St. Joseph’s, LaSalle) competition at the Palestra, but Saturday night’s football clash may help change that.
“It may well be the biggest game in Temple history, considering an Owls victory would enable them to go to 8-0 for the first time.”
“It’s like a dream come true. I would never have thought about this happening. It’s going to be real cool. I don’t think college football was really that important in Philadelphia. But it seems like it is now with Temple playing like this and Notre Dame coming to town, so it will be fun.”
PREDICTION: Notre Dame football 31, Temple 19
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