Head to head: Navy vs. Temple

First up for Navy is Temple. Today GoMids.com compares different critical team areas of Navy and Temple and indicates which team has the edge.

Navy	AREA	Temple	COMMENTS
X	Navy rushing offense vs. Temple rushing defense		Edge Navy. Not much to say here. Last year Navy had the nation's No. 1 rushing offense. Most of that offense, the quarterback and running backs return. Opponents ran roughshod through the Owl defense in 2006. They'll be improved but it won't be enough to stop Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, Adam Ballard and Reggie Campbell.
E	Navy passing offense vs. Temple passing defense	E	Even but leaning towards Navy because they are just a better team. Navy doesn't throw very much; they don't need to with their monstrous rushing game. Temple gave up 224 passing yards a game in 2006. They threw a bunch of freshmen to the wolves in Al Golden's first season as head coach so expect those numbers to go down, especially against Navy.
X	Temple rushing offense vs. Navy rushing defense		Yikes! Temple averaged only 57 yards rushing a game in 2006. Offensive tackle Elliot Seifert who was selected to CollegeFootballNews.com's All-Independent team in 2006 is a good player to build a rushing offense around. RB Tim Brown is a bright spot for the Owls. He had a 78-yard scoring run against Vanderbilt last year. Navy's defense could be vulnerable as the Mids return only 3 starters from 2006.
E	Temple passing offense vs. Navy passing defense	E	This area is even. Temple's strength offensively in 2006 was its ability to throw the ball. Temple returns their top 5 receivers (one is Brown, the RB) from last season along with their quarterback. Again, Navy returns just 3 starters defensively.
E	Special Teams	E	Jake Brownell averaged 38 yards a punt in 2006 and made 2 of 3 field goals. Return man Travis Shelton averaged over 31 yards a return in 2006 for the Owls. Navy's Greg Veteto also averaged 38 yards a punt in 2006 but freshman Kyle Delahooke is pushing him for the starting job. Reggie Campbell averaged 21 yards per kick return for Navy last season.
X	Coaching		This one is easy. Paul Johnson has led Navy to four straight bowls and should get his 100th career victory against the Owls. Al Golden is a bright young coach who is a very good recruiter. He can double his career wins (1) with a win against Navy.

Prediction:

Navy 34 Temple 13