The Penn State Nittany Lions head to Philadelphia to face off against the Temple Owls to open the 2015 season. The Nittany Lions have beaten the Owls 31 straight times, but will this be the year streak falls? Below is the Penn State vs. Temple prediction and game preview.

Penn State vs. Temple Prediction & Preview

Why You Need To Care

Penn State has won 31 consecutive games over Temple in this Keystone State battle. But the Owls nearly broke through last fall and are improving under head coach Matt Rhule.

Temple will never have the cache or fan base of Penn State in the region. However, Rhule guided the Owls to a .500 finish in 2014. And with just about every starter back from that team, the ingredients are in place for this to be an AAC upstart that drags favored opponents into alley fights.

The future is bright in Happy Valley now that James Franklin’s debut at Penn State is in the record books. Franklin laid a foundation, with a little help from the NCAA, winning seven, including a postseason game earlier than anticipated. Now, the Lions are hoping to take the next step in their rebuilding by becoming a more consistent threat within the Big Ten.

Why Penn State Will Win

The Lions were rugged on D a year ago, a trend that ought to continue in 2015. There’s talent at each level, from tackles Anthony Zettel and Austin Johnson up front to a secondary that returns three starters. If Temple is going to address its lack of offensive pop and execution, it’ll have to begin in Week 2.

Why Temple Will Win

Penn State is nasty on defense. The Owls, though, aren’t far behind. Temple is flush in blue-collar stoppers, including LB Tyler Matakevich and linemen Matt Ioannidis and Praise Martin-Oguike. For a Lion team attempting to move beyond last year’s O-line meltdown, this is a very difficult opening day assignment.

Player Who Matters

Which of the quarterbacks moves past last year’s sophomore slump faster, Temple’s P.J. Walker or Penn State’s Christian Hackenberg? Both have a ton to prove, with their team’s development hanging in the balance. For Hackenberg, who needs better protection, this could be the start of his push toward the top of the 2016 NFL Draft.

What’s Going To Happen

No opener will be more of a defensive brawl than this one at the Linc. Penn State and Temple will battle it out in bareknuckle fashion. The Lions, though, possess the better weapons on offense. And RB Akeel Lynch, WR DaeSean Hamilton and TE Kyle Carter will make enough second-half plays to continue the dominance of the Owls.

Penn State vs. Temple Score Prediction

The Penn State vs. Temple prediction is … drum roll, please …

Penn State 28, Temple 17

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MORE: Penn State Football Preview, Temple Football Preview