Miami to play Owls in Philly

It's like David versus Goliath, with one difference.

At least David had a slingshot.

This will be the scenario at Franklin Field at noon tomorrow when Miami (Fla.) takes on Temple in each's first Big East Conference game of the season.

Take your pick of what you want to call Miami: Winners of 24 straight. The consensus No. 1 team in the nation. The defending national champions. Any of them will do.

Last Saturday, The Hurricanes (2-0) humbled then-No. 6 Florida, 41-16, at The Swamp, the Gators' usually impossible-to-win-in venue.

Temple (1-1) did keep it close for a while against Pac-10 foe Oregon State last week, but fell, 35-3, at Franklin Field.

The Owls play the first four of their home games on Penn's campus before switching to South Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium for their final three contests.

Temple runs a spread no-huddle offense, in which the Owls line up with four wide receivers and a running back.

That worked fine in their first contest, a 34-7 win over Division I-AA Richmond. Sophomore quarterback Mike McGann passed for 213 yards and two scores.

McGann fell apart in the game against the Beavers, going 14 for 35 for only 99 yards and three interceptions.

Tanardo Sharps has been the most consistent of any of the Owls, rushing for 121 yards against Richmond and 95 yards against Oregon State.

Of course, in their last 24 games, the Hurricanes are 24-0.

Last week, Willis McGahee, filling in for Frank Gore, ran for 204 yards on 24 carries.

Although Ken Dorsey threw three interceptions, he also had four touchdowns. As a starter, Dorsey is 28-1.

There is a little hope for the Owls, as star Miami receiver Andre Johnson will sit out the game with left-shoulder pain.

Still, it's going to be a longshot for the Owls. Miami has been ranked first in at least one of the polls since the Sept. 2, 2001, poll. Temple is a 37-point underdog according to the latest lines.

OK, so they don't have a slingshot, but maybe they at least have a rubber band. It would be one for the ages.

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