Temple, Toledo meet the Florida media

There wasn't much news coming out of the Boca Raton Bowl press conference today that was streamed live on the bowl's website and that should come as no surprise. This was an occasion for both teams to introduce themselves to the local media.

Temple coach Matt Rhule and Toledo coach Jason Candle both talked about how excited they were to be there.

And while that might be met with skepticism, one could tell was genuine from both coaches.

Probably the most interesting news, and it's something that has been stated before, is that Temple will have 26 seniors who will be graduating. Rhule did say that nine of the graduates will be coming back next year.

The third-year Temple coach mentioned how a strong showing in the bowl game would truly kick-start the effort for next year's team. Again, no revelation, but something that is very serious to both coaching staffs.

"I played for Joe Paterno and he said the bowl game is pivotal," Rhule said. "It is the end of this season and the first game of next year and you build offseason momentum and it sets the tone how workouts feel."

One thing is obvious, but also very clear: Temple (10-3) feels it will be a big deal to set the single-season school record for wins. The Owls tied the all-time win total set by the 1979 team that went 10-2.

Another interesting aspect of this game is that the loser will finish the season with a two-game losing streak, which nobody wants entering the offseason.

Temple, of course is coming off Saturday's 24-13 loss at Houston in the American Athletic Conference championship. Toledo (9-2) lost to visiting Western Michigan, 35-30. A win would have earned the Rockets a trip to the Mid-America Conference championship game.

So both teams will be coming off bitter losses.

Both Rhule and Candle appeared at ease and why not? The game won't be until Dec. 22 and Temple will depart for Florida on Dec. 17.

As game-day approaches, both teams will become more intense, but for now, the opening press conference was for both coaches to discuss the accomplishments of their program and say how much they were looking forward to heading to a warmer climate.

No news flash there.