Temple and Notre Dame's Classic in South Philly was Memorable

Saturday night at Lincoln Financial Field was practically a playoff game. On the one side was a heavy favorite who needed to win to remain alive for a shot at the National Title. On the other side was an upstart underdog who desperately wanted to win for respect and a shot at an undefeated season. They played an epic.

Underdog Temple came up a little short. The 7-1 Owls had the lead with a few precious minutes left, but couldn't stop Notre Dame from that last touchdown and a 24 point night. Despite doing just about everything they do well in this game, the Owls were a little bit out-manned. The Washington Post nailed it though, saying that while Temple lost the game, they won everything else about this night.

Notre Dame simply had to have this game. Temple begins a brutal five game finish that includes games against Pitt (previously ranked) on the road, at home with Wake Forest, at Fenway Park to see Boston College, and at Stanford. Three teams were ranked heading into this week over their final five games, and they were playing all of them away. Temple was undefeated, but fans expected Notre Dame to roll them. They not only didn't, they had to scratch and claw their way to a win. This actually was good for the Irish. This is what their season will be like moving forward, and getting it done on the road against a good team has a lot of value.

Notre Dame has now went on the road and played the two best football games I've watched this season. If they win out, they should be a playoff team, in my opinion. Temple showed they are real, and if they can beat out Memphis and Houston for the American Conference title, they will deserve a major bowl game on New Year's anyway. While losing is hard, it will allow this squad to re-focus with some major games out ahead, and to prepare for a hard stretch run. Either way, South Philadelphia was treated to a treat of a struggle on Saturday night.