By BRAD HURLEY

"Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships" is a sports phrase that we've all heard. In my journalistic career, I've jotted the saying down a number of times. Perhaps, that phrase should be altered a bit, at least when referring to the Penn State football program. The saying should go a little like this. "Defense sells tickets, defense is the only thing that is going to help Penn State qualify for a bowl game."Penn State owes almost all of its success to the defensive unit this season. The offense, like I mention every week is a work in progress. There's a ton of backlash out there. Some blame quarterback Christian Hackenberg. Some blame the offensive line and some blame offensive coordinator John Donovan.I believe all have a part in the offense's lack of success, but what this really comes down to is inexperience and depth. PSU's offensive line has been shuffled around more than a deck of cards at a casino. They're young, they're inexperienced, and they just weren't ready to be thrown into the fire like they were. But that's all Penn State had and Penn State fans and the media thought because the Nittany Lions returned many skill players that success was a given. Well, this is an ugly reminder that by far the most important part of an offensive unit are the big boys up front.Also, let's be honest Hackenberg misses Bill O'Brien's offense. O'Brien is a quarterback and offensive guru and he made things happen at PSU. He put points on the board and put "Hack" in position to be successful. He took the very talented tools Hackenberg has and built an offensive scheme around him. Now, the offensive line was much better than this seasons's offensive line and Hackenberg had one of the best receivers in the NCAA last season in Allen Robinson.Donovan nor head coach James Franklin have the offensive mind of O'Brien and fans need to realize that. It's very likely that Hackenberg's best statistical year in college is behind him. In his freshman season, Hackenberg threw for close to 3,000 yards with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. This season "Hack" is around 2,300 yards with just seven touchdowns and 12 interceptions. It's a pretty safe bet that Hackenberg will get close to 3,000 yards again, but the passing touchdown production will be a ways off unless some things drastically change in the next three weeks."I know it could probably be frustrating at times to watch. I know everybody has the answers. If you do, please e-mail them and specifically what they are and how they work," said Franklin. "But I believe in our guys. I've been around this coaching staff for a long time. I've seen them break record after record after record running these schemes on offense, defense and special teams. I believe in our players and I'm hoping every single day as we continue to compete and stay positive that the tide will turn."Penn State will no doubt have to rely on its defense this week as they face off with interstate rival Temple (12 p.m. ET, ESPN 2) to try and become bowl eligible. With bouts with Illinois away and Michigan State at home there's certainly no guarantees that Penn State will be heading to a bowl game, which makes this weeks game vs. the Owls (5-4) even more important.On offense, Temple is averaging 27.5 points per game and a little over 300 yards of total offense. Penn State is holding teams to 15.6 points per game below their season average. The Nittany Lions "D" is also giving up just 2.5 yards per carry on the ground and with Temple not having a breakout back they should fair well in that department again this week. The Owls leading rusher is Jarrad Thomas and he has 371 yards on the ground and zero touchdowns.Temple's biggest weapon on offense is wide receiver Jalen Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick has 37 catches on the season for 512 yards and five touchdowns. He is someone the PSU secondary must keep their eye on because he is a true threat on offense.Christian Hackenberg and the offense must do a better job of protecting the ball this week. The Temple defense has forced 27 turnovers so far this season with six defensive touchdowns. Scoring hasn't been easy to come by for the Nittany Lions (20 ppg), so giving up points on the offensive side of the ball would make a win even harder to come by.Penn State is an 11-point favorite according to Las Vegas. My pick is Penn State 24, Temple 14.