In a rare move, UCLA travels to the east coast
UCLA got lucky this season by slipping into post season play. Tomorrow at 4:30 p.m EST, the Bruins (6-6) will face off against the Temple Owls (9-4) in the EagleBank Bowl in Washington, D.C. This is a bowl game against two diametrically opposite teams. UCLA plays in a much stronger conference and plays top quality teams. Temple, more of a basketball school, plays in a weaker conference and generally gets slaughtered by sound D-1 programs.
However, Temple deserves to be bowling this year as they won 9 out of their last 10 games to earn a bowl birth for the first time in 30 years. Meanwhile, this is the 30th bowl appearance for the UCLA Bruins who aren’t accustomed to traveling east to play a non-powerhouse squad.
On paper, UCLA should cruise with ease over the Temple Owls. However, I wouldn’t count the Owls out so fast. UCLA rarely travels to the east coast and when they do, it isn’t pretty. It’s been cold in D.C. and there is no sunshine at RFK. The Bruins will have their hands full containing an Owls team who is averaging 30 points per game.
I look for this game to be close, but in the end Temple should walk away with the EagleBank Bowl trophy.
