For more almost two decades, Temple has been left in the dark.
Zero winning seasons since 1990, no bowl appearance since 1979 and kicked out of the Big East Conference.
The Owls also haven't beaten a BCS-conference foe since beating Syracuse back in 2004, when they were still part of the Big East.
Meanwhile, eight of its conference brethren in the MAC have notched at least one victory against such schools.
Yes, Temple is improving. It won five games last season for the first time since that winning season. Not surprisingly, strong quarterback play was huge, as Adam DiMichele threw 18 touchdowns despite injury troubles.
But things got ugly again when signal caller Vaughn Carlton tossed three interceptions as the Owls lost to FCS member Villanova in the inaugural Mayor's Cup on Sept. 3. The two are scheduled to play every season through 2012.
Normally, losing to a FCS foe -- even a top tier one like the Wildcats -- would be cause for alarm. But, remember this is Temple, so it should come as no surprise that two of Villanova's three victories against FBS schools are against the Owls.
Regardless, Charlton figures to be the key to new heights for the program. And by new heights, I mean a winning season.
Make no mistake about it, quick turnarounds are possible with a solid quarterback in the MAC like no other conference.
Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour has led the Chippewas to two conference titles and helped the team to 26 wins entering 2009. Central Michigan had won just 22 games from 2000 until his arrival in 2006 and he's already the school's all-time leading passer.
Ball State's career passing leader, Nate Davis, threw for 3,591 yards and 26 touchdowns to move the Cardinals as high as No. 12 in the polls last season before losing to Buffalo. With Davis gone, Ball State has lost two home games to North Texas (3-21 the last two years) and FCS school New Hampshire to start the season.
Miami (Ohio) went 13-1 in 2003 under the leadership of Ben Roethlisberger, finishing No. 10 in the nation. The Redhawks did post two winning seasons after that but have lost 14 of their past 16 games.
Even lowly Buffalo won the MAC title last season, thanks in large part to quarterback Drew Willy, who passed for 3,304 yards and 25 touchdowns under head coach Turner Gill. Before that tandem got going, Buffalo was probably the worst FBS program earlier this decade, even going 7-51 from 2002-2006.
If Buffalo can win a conference title, certainly a program situated in talent-rich Philadelphia can at least post a .500 season.
Charlton, a redshirt junior, did throw for 317 yards against the Wildcats. Going further back, Charlton went 26-for-43 and 238 yards against the Nittany Lions two years ago.
This isn't meant to put more pressure on the team's quarterbacks than there already is, but in a league where one quarterback can make all the difference, the Owls figure to fly as high as their signal caller takes them.
Otherwise, moving down to the FCS may be the best option.
Or at least they should avoid rescheduling Villanova.
