NCAA Football Preview – Temple Owls

Rhule didn’t inherit an incredibly deep roster and it showed every week for the Owls, who lost six straight games to get his tenure started. The real low point of the season was a crushing 30-29 loss to FCS-foe Fordham. Temple surprised Army in their seventh game of the season, rolling to a 33-14 victory. However, the losses stacked up once again after that, although it took some incredible late-game heroics by Rutgers (23-20) and UCF (39-36) to knock down the seemingly improving Owls. At least the campaign ended on a high note, with the team avoiding its first one-win season since 2003 when it took care of Memphis (41-21).

Temple does not have a particularly impressive pedigree in football, but the school has doubled down on the program, cutting some other sports in part to boost football’s resources. That means Rhule doesn’t have an extremely long leash. Continued dismal results will lead to aggravation sooner rather than later.

2014 ANALYSIS:

OFFENSE: Even when Golden was patrolling the sidelines and leading the Owls’ recent renaissance, they could never quite find a consistent player at quarterback. Hopes are high that Rhule has struck gold with P.J. Walker. Last year, as a freshman, Walker started the last seven games of the season, after Connor Reilly failed to impress. Walker raised plenty of eyebrows, throwing for 2,084 yards and 20 touchdowns to just 8 interceptions, while completing 60.8 percent of his pass attempts. He also showed some explosive play-making ability, tallying 332 yards and three scores on the ground. Walker then took part in the Manning Passing Academy in the offseason. How much he improves as a sophomore could really make or break the season.

Walker’s elusiveness may come in handy this season due to the lack of strength along the offensive line. Center Kyle Friend is the only returning starter for a unit that will be learning on the job. That isn’t great, considering Temple allowed 32 sacks last season, 23 of which came on Walker.

“We need the guys on the “twos” to fight and give us some depth. It’s one of the main areas of focus for us,” Rhule said.

The depth the Owls lack up front, they are blessed to have in the running game. Along with Walker’s ability to take off, the team also features a pair of proven commodities in Kenneth Harper and Zaire Williams. Harper racked up team-highs in yards (613) and rushing touchdowns (9) last season, while Williams contributed 533 yards and 3 scores. They should continue to work well as a platoon in 2014.

While last year’s top rushers are back, the two best receivers are not, with Robbie Anderson (44 receptions, 791 yards, 9 TDs) and Ryan Alderman (40 receptions, 548 yards, 2 TDs) leaving major gaps on the depth chart. Jalen Fitzpatrick (38 receptions, 429 yards, 3 TDs) will step in as the top target, while John Christopher (31 receptions, 331 yards, 2 TDs) should get additional looks as well.

DEFENSE: Even though it is far from guaranteed that Temple will contend for the AAC crown this year, it has the closest thing there is to a lock for all- conference honors in Tyler Matakevich. The junior linebacker was a first-team all-league choice a year ago, after he racked up an incredible 137 tackles. He had double-digit tackle totals in seven of 12 games as a sophomore and produced 101 stops as a freshman. He will anchor a solid linebacking group, with Nate D. Smith (66 tackles, 3.0 sacks) and Stephaun Marshall (36 tackles) also returning to the starting lineup.

Of course, a defense is only as strong as its weakest link, and there are plenty of soft spots. The defensive line, which under-performed last year as is, finishing with only 19 sacks, doesn’t have much experience. Defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis tied for a team-high with three sacks, but he will be surrounded by unproven talent this time around. Expect recruit Michael Dogbe to get tested early.

The secondary also played miserably last season, logging only 3 interceptions and allowing Temple to rank among the five worst teams in the country in pass defense (298.6 ypg). The threadbare unit has a lot of work to do this season, with cornerback Tavon Young (51 tackles, 1 INT) the only returning starter.

SPECIAL TEAMS: This was perhaps the worst phase of the game for Temple, as the special teams struggled, especially in field goal opportunities. Three different players combined to attempt nine field goals for the Owls. They only made three. Jim Cooper missed all three of his tries, but he is likely the starter this season.

Punter Paul Layton needs to be replaced. Cooper may fill in, but the team also has Alex Starzyk, Tyler Mayes and Colby Perry on the roster.

The return game is another area where Alderman’s sure hands will be missed. Fitzpatrick has some punt return experience, while Jahad Thomas led the team in kickoff returns (24) and return yards (476).

OUTLOOK: August is always a time for heightened expectations in college football, and that optimism has spread to Philadelphia. However, the schedule for Temple doesn’t leave much room for hope, or error.

The year begins with a visit to Vanderbilt, a retooling SEC squad, but an SEC squad nonetheless. Home dates against Navy and Delaware State appear to be winnable, but the Owls then play a stretch of four games that includes road duels with Connecticut, Houston and UCF. They don’t get a break from Cincinnati or East Carolina either, although those will be home contests, while a late season trip to Beaver Stadium also looms as a difficult test.

Despite the tough schedule, Rhule certainly believes his team is ready to take a step forward.

“In a second year I think we’re more prepared for what this league means,” Rhule said. “What this league means to me is really strong, competitive teams that play a dynamic style of offense.”

Two years ago the Owls appeared to have finally found a star quarterback, with Chris Coyer impressing with his play during the 2011 New Mexico Bowl for a nine-win Temple team. He never lived up to the hype. Walker must avoid the same fate if Temple has any shot at being competitive. However, there is only so much Walker can do, and fixing a battered and inexperienced offensive line and secondary are not in the job description. At Temple, it is likely going to get worse before it gets better.

Categorized in: NCAA Football