After an undefeated start in the Mid-American Conference, the Kent State football team continues its streak in unfamiliar territory again this week.

As of Tuesday, Kent State (3-2, 3-0 MAC) are favored 24 points to beat their next opponent, Temple (0-5). It would mark the Flashes first win against a non-conference Division IA opponent since 1986.

Kent State takes on Temple at 1 p.m. Saturday in Philadelphia. It is the first time the two schools will face each other.

Kent State coach Doug Martin said even though they are expected to win this game, the Flashes shouldn’t take the Owls lightly.

“We’re not good enough to look down the road,” Martin said.

Martin joked that if the any of the players say anything about being the favorite team, they will receive a “knot on their head a boy scout can’t untie.”

Sophomore quarterback Julian Edelman said the team has to avoid getting over confident, as well as over anxious.

“We have to have a great week at practice,” Edelman said. “We can’t take it softly. We can’t take it like it’s too big of a game. We’ve got to go in loose.”

Beside the expectation of winning, the Flashes will have to deal with some off-the-field issues.

“The logistics in traveling to this game are going to be difficult,” Martin said. “Handling some distractions on the road, playing in a NFL stadium is going to be a little bit different.”

Overall, Martin said he is pleased with the way the Flashes have handled adversity, especially during away games.

“This crowd doesn’t seem to let things affect them very much.” Martin said. “As far as how the game is going, they understand there is going to be ebb and flow every game.”

The Flashes will travel to Lincoln Financial Field, the home stadium for the Owls and Philadelphia Eagles.

Edelman said he is looking forward to playing in the home stadium of the Eagles because its his first time playing in an NFL stadium and he’s a big fan of former Eagle Terrell Owens.

The quarterback’s 305-yard, two-touchdown passing performance against Akron earned him the title of MAC Player of the Week for the second time in the past three weeks. Edelman also rushed for a third touchdown against the Zips.

When it comes to playing Temple, the team has a good idea of what to expect.

“Defensively they bring a lot of different looks at you, a lot of different blitzes,” Martin said. “It’s very similar to our defense. Its basically the same scheme.”

Martin added that the Owls’ quarterback, redshirt sophomore Adam DiMichele, is a point of emphasis for the Flashes, as well as runningbacks senior Tim Brown and freshman Jason Harper, whose speed could be an issue.

Martin said the team needs to take this game as a new challenge. The Flashes cannot think of the game as just another chance to improve their record.

Edelman echoed Martin’s thought.

“We can’t be complacent,” Edelman said. “We can’t get complacent with the lead we have, or our record right now. It’s any given Saturday, and that’s how you have to take it. You have to take it like any other game.”

Contact football reporter Deanna Stevens at [email protected].