Temple Owls
2010 Record: 8-4
2010 Bowl Game: No game
2010 ATS, over/under: 7-5 ATS, 4-8 o/u
Returning Starters: 13 (8 offense, 5 defense)

It is literally the end of a “Golden” Era for Temple as coach Al Golden left the program to coach the Miami Hurricanes. Former Florida offensive coordinator Steve Addazio takes over the program for his first head coaching position. Last year, Temple won 8 games but wasn’t invited to a bowl despite having wins over Big East Champion UConn and Army.

This is the latest in our series of pre-season college football previews, as our college football handicappers prepare for a another season of winners.

Here is a look at Temple’s offense, defense, and special teams, as well as their schedule.

Offense

Last year, Temple struggled to move the ball. They averaged only 335.1  yards a game on offense which was ranked 90th in the country. The passing game only averaged 183.8 yards a game, also 90th in the country. The running game wasn’t much better averaging 151.2 ypg, good for 68th in the nation. The Owls only scored 25 points a game, which was 79th in the nation.

Quarterbacks Mike Gerardi and Chester Stewart, now both seniors split time at quarterback last season. However, both struggled and rumors are flying out of Philadelphia that juco transfer Clinton Granger might get the starting nod over both Gerardi and Stewart, as Granger fits into Addazio’s new spread offense system better than the other two. Either way, Owl quarterbacks only threw for a combined 2,206 yards with 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last year, so any improvement will help the team.

The running game expects to be much better with the return of junior running back Bernard Pierce. Pierce missed 3 games completely last season with injuries and only started 5 games last year. However, Pierce still rushed for  728 yards and 10 touchdowns, and caught another touchdown pass. Junior Matt Brown was the team’s leading rusher with 830 yards and 7 touchdowns. However, if Pierce is healthy, Brown will see his carries limited.

Temple must replace leading receiver Michael Campbell who graduated after having 45 catches for 724 yards and 6 touchdowns last season. The top two returning receivers are senior wideout Rod Streater who had 30 catches, 481 yards, and 4 touchdowns last year, and First team all-MAC tight end Evan Rodriguez who had 21 catches, 247 yards, and 2 touchdown catches.

Temple does return 3 starters on the offensive line but has to replace 2 first team All-MAC players in right tackle Darius Morris and guard Colm Madison.

Defense

While the offense struggled last season, the defense was among the best in the nation, especially against the pass. The stingy Owls only gave up 178.2 yards a game passing, and only 318.8 total yards, both ranked in the top 20 in the country. The rush defense wasn’t quite as dominant as the Owls give up 140.7 yards a game, but that was still ranked in the top 50 nationally. Temple gave up 19.1 points a game which was 16th nationally last year.

The defense must replace defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson who had 9.5 sacks and was a first round pick by the Jets. The Owls do return two starters on the defensive line in senior DE Adrian Robinson and junior DT Kadeem Curtis.

The linebacking corps returns only one starter senior OLB Tahir Whitehead, but they do have some depth with Stephen Johnson and Quinten White both seniors.

The secondary must replace free safety Jaiquawn Jarrett who was a second round draft pick in the NFL. Senior CB Kee-Ayre Griffin and junior strong safety Justin Gildea do return.

The Owls still have a ton of talent but expect a little regression losing so much talent.

Special Teams

Junior Brandon McManus will handle the kicking, kickoffs, and punting duties for the Owls. He made 13 out of 20 field goals last season, along with 31 out of 32 PAT’s. He had 7 touchbacks in 59 kickoffs last year. He only had 4 punts last year with one touchback last season with an average of 42.2 yards a punt.

Joe Jones will return most of the punts for the Owls but expect Griffin to return some as well. James Nixon and Griffin will return most of the kicks but expect Maurice Jones to return some if they get injured.

Schedule

Temple has home games this year against Villanova, Penn St, Toledo, Buffalo, Miami-(OH), Army, and Kent St. Besides Penn St the toughest home games are against Miami and Toledo, though Army and in-city rival Villanova will also be tough. The Owls have road games against Akron, Maryland, Ball St, Bowling Green, and Ohio. Besides the Maryland and Ohio games Temple should be favored in all those games. I think it adds up to 8 or 9 wins and Temple should win the MAC Eastern Division, though Miami and Ohio will be contenders as well.

Against the Spread Record

Temple was a mediocre 7-5 ATS last season including 3-3 at home and 4-2 on the road. The over/under record was 4-8 including 3-3 at home and 1-5 on the road.

Game to bet on Temple

I would take Temple October 15 at home versus Buffalo as the Bulls were 2-10 last season straight up and ATS.

Game to Bet Against Temple

The Owls play at Maryland on Saturday September 24, the week after playing a physical Penn St team. Temple will be worn out having to play two physical games in a row and Maryland should win rather handily.

It should be a great season for temple as they try to build on the success Golden had under Addazio. Temple is coming off back to back winning seasons for the first time since 1978. Check out our college football odds page for the best lines on every game.