Temple RB Jahad Thomas can key upset win over Notre Dame

If you hate Notre Dame and are looking for reasons why they might be able to lose a road game against undefeated Temple, look no further than Owls running back Jahad Thomas, who is making plays all over the field this season.

Not only does  Thomas have 822 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns this season, he’s caught 18 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown, and also has a kickoff returned for a touchdown.

Thomas has shown excellent quickness and acceleration and obviously has the ability to score any time he touches the football with 14 total touchdowns this season. He’s not just putting up big numbers against lesser competition, either. He’s grading out as one of Pro Football Focus’ top backs in college football this season.

That video will give you a great look at some of the best playmakers on Temple’s 7-0 dream team so far this season, but the key to beating Notre Dame will likely be a big game from Thomas and some opportunistic play from the defense, which has been key in an undefeated start as well. Thomas has been making big plays like these ones all year long…

A national stage against Notre Dame could be exactly what the doctor ordered for Thomas, who has been getting plenty of credit from the college football die-hards but if he can stand out against ND in a national spotlight with College Gameday on hand, he can really emerge as one of the top backs in the country.

The question from a scout’s perspective is whether or not this success can translate to the next level, and I think so. Thomas is a bit smaller for a back at 5-10 180 pounds (listed) but you don’t see that size deficiency holding him back from effectiveness, even in Temple’s toughest game of the year against Penn State.

This is a player who is only going to get better and better. Can he help Temple continue their incredible season against Notre Dame? I believe he can.