nelsonmuntz
Point Center
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2011
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Offense:
Temple played really well offensively last year, but only returns 4 starters. Temple's offense has improved each of the last 3 years, and with the pick up of recruiting under Golden and continued under Addazio, Temple is replacing graduating players with more talented, albeit inexperienced players.
The running game was great last year, and Matt Brown was also a big part of its success. QB Coyer was OK against Ohio and Wyoming, but is not the kind of guy you build an offense around. Temple loses its top 3 receivers. While the offensive line technically returns 1 starter, most of the 2 deep saw significant playing time last year. I find that defensive speed is the hardest thing for offensive lines to adjust to when a school upgrades its conference, so I expect the "sacks against" number of 21 to increase over 30.
With the step up in competition and departure of Pierce, I expect a significant drop from the offense, but it won't be terrible.
Defense:
Addazio plays a lot of kids on defense, especially on the line. While Temple loses its best linemen in DT Pat Boyle, everyone returning has significant playing experience on a defense that was pretty good last year. This line held opponents to 3.6 ypc and got 33 sacks against MAC competition, but was also stout against Penn State and Maryland, holding both schools under 3.0 ypc and sacking MD's QB 3 times.
They lose their best linebacker in Whitehead (a 5th round draft choice). Like with the line, the returning players that didn't start saw a lot of playing time for the most part. The entire secondary saw a lot of playing time last year, and they basically return 3 starters from a decent pass defense.
The defense was really good last year, and I am a bit surprised that they had some meltdowns such as the Toledo and Ohio games. It is something to watch this year, because when there is periodic breakdowns by good defenses it means there is a schematic problems, which goes to the coaches.
Schedule:
It is ridiculous that Temple could not get a 12th game with all the schools that either play 2 FCS opponents or play an FCS school that doesn't qualify for bowl eligibility. Temple looked good against Maryland and Penn State last year. Penn State won on a huge drive near the end of the game with a couple of fourth down conversion. Temple can play with the big boys, and I don't subscribe to the "week in, week out" theory that teams will wear down. Other upgrades haven't seemed to miss a beat. Utah didn't dominate the Pac 12, but played very well in what would have been a rebuilding year regardless.
4 Big East home games, and Maryland at home, make this a manageable schedule.
Conclusion:
Temple is making a big upgrade in competition and is returning 10 starters by my count, although that number is a bit squishy with all the players Addazio uses. It seems like Temple is still learning to win, with closes losses to some of the better teams on its schedule last year. I don't think they will suck, and they get Syracuse at home, but they are not Big East caliber yet.
A winning record is a possibility, but they likely come up short to Penn State and don't find a second win in the Big East.
Prediction:
4-7 (1-6)
Temple played really well offensively last year, but only returns 4 starters. Temple's offense has improved each of the last 3 years, and with the pick up of recruiting under Golden and continued under Addazio, Temple is replacing graduating players with more talented, albeit inexperienced players.
The running game was great last year, and Matt Brown was also a big part of its success. QB Coyer was OK against Ohio and Wyoming, but is not the kind of guy you build an offense around. Temple loses its top 3 receivers. While the offensive line technically returns 1 starter, most of the 2 deep saw significant playing time last year. I find that defensive speed is the hardest thing for offensive lines to adjust to when a school upgrades its conference, so I expect the "sacks against" number of 21 to increase over 30.
With the step up in competition and departure of Pierce, I expect a significant drop from the offense, but it won't be terrible.
Defense:
Addazio plays a lot of kids on defense, especially on the line. While Temple loses its best linemen in DT Pat Boyle, everyone returning has significant playing experience on a defense that was pretty good last year. This line held opponents to 3.6 ypc and got 33 sacks against MAC competition, but was also stout against Penn State and Maryland, holding both schools under 3.0 ypc and sacking MD's QB 3 times.
They lose their best linebacker in Whitehead (a 5th round draft choice). Like with the line, the returning players that didn't start saw a lot of playing time for the most part. The entire secondary saw a lot of playing time last year, and they basically return 3 starters from a decent pass defense.
The defense was really good last year, and I am a bit surprised that they had some meltdowns such as the Toledo and Ohio games. It is something to watch this year, because when there is periodic breakdowns by good defenses it means there is a schematic problems, which goes to the coaches.
Schedule:
It is ridiculous that Temple could not get a 12th game with all the schools that either play 2 FCS opponents or play an FCS school that doesn't qualify for bowl eligibility. Temple looked good against Maryland and Penn State last year. Penn State won on a huge drive near the end of the game with a couple of fourth down conversion. Temple can play with the big boys, and I don't subscribe to the "week in, week out" theory that teams will wear down. Other upgrades haven't seemed to miss a beat. Utah didn't dominate the Pac 12, but played very well in what would have been a rebuilding year regardless.
4 Big East home games, and Maryland at home, make this a manageable schedule.
Conclusion:
Temple is making a big upgrade in competition and is returning 10 starters by my count, although that number is a bit squishy with all the players Addazio uses. It seems like Temple is still learning to win, with closes losses to some of the better teams on its schedule last year. I don't think they will suck, and they get Syracuse at home, but they are not Big East caliber yet.
A winning record is a possibility, but they likely come up short to Penn State and don't find a second win in the Big East.
Prediction:
4-7 (1-6)
