Sports Network Top 25 picks

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Here are the top 25 games and other selected matchups for week one.

THURSDAY NIGHT'S GAMES

No. 5 Villanova (0-0) at Temple (0-0)

Crosstown rivals with high expectations for the 2009 season meet for the first time since 2003 at Lincoln Financial Stadium with the newly-christened Mayor's Cup on the line.

Villanova took the contest 23-20 in double overtime, after the Wildcats added two field goals in the last four minutes of regulation to spoil the Owls' first home game at Lincoln Financial Stadium.

Six years later both teams are vastly improved, with Villanova gearing up for Colonial Athletic Association and FCS title runs and Temple hoping for its first bowl appearance since 1979.

The Wildcats return 15 starters from last year's playoff team including quarterback Chris Whitney, who replaced Antwon Young after the Penn game and threw for 1,448 yards and 10 TDs. Running back Aaron Ball (1,073 yards rushing, 5.0 average, 13 TDs) and receivers Matt Szczur (32 catches, 16.0 average, four TDs) and Brandyn Harvey (43 catches, 12.8 average, three TDs) are also threats in this potent offense.

Buck Buchanan Award nominee Osayi Osunde (75 tackles, five tackles for loss) leads a defense that ranked 26th nationally. Tim Kukucka and Phil Matusz anchor a stout defensive line, but the Wildcats will need a significant contribution from defensive end transfer Mario Johnson (College of San Francisco) and improvement from a secondary that gave up too many big plays last season.

For the Owls, senior quarterback Vaughn Charlton (1,225 yards passing, five TDs) steps in after the graduation of Adam DiMichele (career 5,024 yards passing, 60% completion rate, 40 TDs) and wide receiver Jason Harper (33 catches, 17.3 average, three TDs) will try and rebound an offense that ranked near the bottom of the FBS.

Temple's defense has been one of the most consistent in the Mid-American Conference but had trouble in 2008. Bronko Nagurski Award nominee Andre Neblett (7.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles). will anchor a run defense that might have trouble against the Wildcats.

VILLANOVA 27, TEMPLE 24 OT