But he added that a loss to an FBS team could ultimately hurt your playoff chances.
"Now you look to make the playoffs, and you go, OK, now I have to play five teams in the top 20 [nationally] in our league [Colonial Athletic Association] and try to survive that and only lose two more times," said Talley, whose squad is ranked first nationally in the Sports Networks' preseason poll.
"An 8-3 team is going to get you in the playoffs and a 7-4 probably won't," he added. "So in terms of making the playoffs, I think it's difficult to have a I-A team on your schedule."
Last season, Villanova benefited from five Temple turnovers before a last-second field goal gave the Wildcats a 27-24 victory.
Things could be much tougher this time around.
The Owls boast a Heisman Trophy candidate in sophomore running back Bernard Pierce. Temple also has a fleet-footed backup running back in sophomore Matt Brown.
Villanova didn't have to worry much about the Owls' one-two punch last season. As freshmen, the duo had a limited role. Pierce had six carries for 44 yards, with half of that coming on a 22-yard run. Brown caught three passes for 14 yards and returned a punt 8 yards.
Talley said that maintaining possession will be the best way to slow down Temple's offense.
"They are a pretty quick-strike team, even though they run the ball great," he said. "I mean they'll just pull if off play action and throw deep on you. And Michael Campbell is as good a wideout as there is in the country. They go deep to him three or four times. So the key is not to be on the field too much."
But the Owls realize that they must also keep Villanova's offense in check.
