A Win Over Navy Can Position Temple For Elusive First Lambert Trophy

Temple is one of the most surprising stories of the college football season. After five years as an afterthought in the American, the Owls are back in bowl contention with a 3-2 start and a win over UTSA. This week, the Owls can signal their return to the American’s elite with a win over Navy. Additionally, a win can bring them closer to an honor that has eluded them since the Great Depression.

Temple has never won the Lambert Trophy, Northeastern College Football’s crowning honor. The Owls have had close calls, but could never quite get over the hump.

• In 1934, Temple went 7-1-2 and earned a bid in the inaugural Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day. The Owls would have won the Lambert Trophy...if it existed. The Trophy would not begin until 1936.
• In 1979, Temple went 10-2 with a win in the Garden State Bowl. However, those two losses came to eventual Lambert Trophy winner Pitt and 7-4 Penn State.
• In 2010, Temple went 8-4 and beat 8-4 Fiesta Bowl participant UConn. However, the Owls did not make the bowl, placing ninth in the Lambert Trophy voting, with UConn winning the honor.
• In 2015, Temple went 10-4 and earned a trip to the American Athletic Conference Championship Game. The Owls beat Penn State for the first time since 1943, but it was still not enough to win the Lambert Trophy. The Owls finished second in the voting to 11-2 Navy.
• The following year, Temple avenged its Lambert Trophy snub by beating Navy in the American Athletic Championship Game and finished 10-4, but lost to the Lambert Trophy and Big Ten champion Penn State, which finished 11-2.

So many close calls, but no Lambert Trophy to show for it. Temple could begin its path to changing that this Saturday against 5-0 Navy. Navy figures to be a frontrunner after Penn State’s shocking loss to UCLA. Temple can secure frontrunner status with a win over the Midshipmen. Penn State’s loss to UCLA helped the Owls immensely. The Nittany Lions now figure to have at least four losses and need help from Navy down the stretch to win the Lambert Trophy.

While Temple would need some help, a 9-3 finish by the Owls with wins over Navy, East Carolina, and either Tulane or North Texas could be enough to help them win the elusive Lambert Trophy. The Owls would also need help with Navy losing three of their last five games against North Texas, Notre Dame, USF, Memphis, and Army. Although that seems far-fetched, that is as difficult a stretch as there is in the country. Three losses for Navy to end the year seems realistic. Four Navy losses would be ideal for Temple.

Although Temple head coach KC Keeler is one of the most proven coaches in the country, hardly anyone had any expectations for the Owls this year. Few saw the Owls start 3-2 or still in contention for a bowl game in October. Now, one of the biggest upsets in recent memory can position the Owls for a truly special season in Keeler’s first year at the helm.