The only game of the weekend featuring ranked opponents means that ESPN’s College GameDay will be at a Notre Dame game for the second time this season. Already announced as a primetime, ABC broadcast, Temple will host ESPN’s signature pregame show this weekend, their first since GameDay kicked off over 20 years ago.
ESPN made the announcement via Twitter Monday morning, mulling over their options before pulling the trigger on a trip to Philadelphia instead of heading cross-country to Pullman, Washington, where Mike Leach’s Cougars are hosting No. 8 Stanford.
We're coming to Philly! See you Saturday, @Temple_FB and @NDFootball. pic.twitter.com/g0EVhjJMAn
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) October 26, 2015
Once looked at as the eleventh or twelfth most-important game on Notre Dame’s schedule, Saturday could very well be the most important game in Temple football history. It comes at a perfect time for the Irish, who need wins over ranked opponents as they try to distinguish themselves from a pack of other one-loss teams jockeying for College Football Playoff consideration.
Notre Dame opened up 10-point favorites over the Owls, who have one of the nation’s best statistical defenses. The Irish are 6-1 coming off an extra week’s rest under Brian Kelly, their lone loss to USC in 2011.
.@CollegeGameDay @Temple_FB @NDFootball pic.twitter.com/Ty29yP0eXV
— Temple Owls (@TempleOwls) October 26, 2015