Temple finished up their 2011 campaign with a win over Wyoming in the New Mexico Bowl (37-15). It was their second bowl appearance in the last three years. This season, the Owls move back to the Big East Conference, where they had played from 1991 through 2004. You can follow the odds and the Owls all season long and get expert picks from Football Free Picks.
Second year head coach Steve Addazio is in for a very tough season ahead as they go back to a conference that booted them out. Now they are in a rebuilding season with only eight starters coming back.
Offense
Their offense last year was as putrid as can be as they barely threw the ball. Chester Stewart was the leading passer with just 743 yards on 83 attempts; however he has since left the program. Stewart leaving doesn't give the team any problems as he had already lost the starting position to Chris Coyer by the end of the season. Coyer started the last four games of the year and ended up throwing 463 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions. He was also third on the team with 562 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Coyer will be under a lot of pressure to improve as the running game took a major hit. Temple's main source of offense, running back Bernard Pierce, decided to leave early for the NFL. Matt "The Bug" Brown is an exciting player for sure, but he doesn't have the size or durability to be considered an every-down back.
The Owls lose their top three receivers from last year, but as a run-first offense this shouldn't have a major impact on the offense. The most experienced returning receiver is Deon Miller, who grabbed 18 balls for 253 yards and three touchdowns last year.
The Owls have a lot of holes to fill on the offensive line. They return just one starter in tackle Martin Wallace. They have virtually no other experience on this unit as the four starters that left started for at least two years each.
Defense
The Owls were able to beat teams with their running game and a top notch defense in the MAC. Temple allowed just 18.9 points/game behind a very balanced unit that allowed just 124 yards/game on the ground and 188 yards/game through the air. That was a direct result of a lack of competition in the MAC though, and with them back in the Big East, they have no way of even coming close to the numbers they had last year.
Temple has done a fantastic job of developing NFL-ready defensive linemen. Last year they had to replace a first-round draft pick in defensive tackle Muhammed Wilkerson, yet still were able to show improvement against the run. This year they lose three time 1st Team All-MAC defensive end Adrian Robinson and 3rd Team All-MAC defensive end Morkeith Brown. They do however, bring back both starting defensive tackles, including 300 lb nose tackle Levi Brown.
Linebacker could be their Achilles heel this year as they must replace 1st Team All-MAC outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead and middle linebacker Stephen Johnson. Their lone starter coming back is junior outside linebacker Blaze Caponegro.
The secondary loses starting corner Kee-Ayre Griffin and free safety Kevin Kroboth, but have six of their top eight back from last season. They should put up similar numbers against the pass again this season, as long as the defensive line continues to play at a high level. Senior strong safety Justin Gildea is the one player to keep an eye on in 2012.
Big East Prediction - 8th Big East
The Owls could definitely improve and compete in the Big East in time. But as of now, the Owls have little to no chance of being a threat in 2012. Their defense could carry them for short periods, but with their offense being virtually nonexistent, they will be unable to compete with some of the powerhouses in the conference.
Second year head coach Steve Addazio is in for a very tough season ahead as they go back to a conference that booted them out. Now they are in a rebuilding season with only eight starters coming back.
Offense
Their offense last year was as putrid as can be as they barely threw the ball. Chester Stewart was the leading passer with just 743 yards on 83 attempts; however he has since left the program. Stewart leaving doesn't give the team any problems as he had already lost the starting position to Chris Coyer by the end of the season. Coyer started the last four games of the year and ended up throwing 463 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions. He was also third on the team with 562 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Coyer will be under a lot of pressure to improve as the running game took a major hit. Temple's main source of offense, running back Bernard Pierce, decided to leave early for the NFL. Matt "The Bug" Brown is an exciting player for sure, but he doesn't have the size or durability to be considered an every-down back.
The Owls lose their top three receivers from last year, but as a run-first offense this shouldn't have a major impact on the offense. The most experienced returning receiver is Deon Miller, who grabbed 18 balls for 253 yards and three touchdowns last year.
The Owls have a lot of holes to fill on the offensive line. They return just one starter in tackle Martin Wallace. They have virtually no other experience on this unit as the four starters that left started for at least two years each.
Defense
The Owls were able to beat teams with their running game and a top notch defense in the MAC. Temple allowed just 18.9 points/game behind a very balanced unit that allowed just 124 yards/game on the ground and 188 yards/game through the air. That was a direct result of a lack of competition in the MAC though, and with them back in the Big East, they have no way of even coming close to the numbers they had last year.
Temple has done a fantastic job of developing NFL-ready defensive linemen. Last year they had to replace a first-round draft pick in defensive tackle Muhammed Wilkerson, yet still were able to show improvement against the run. This year they lose three time 1st Team All-MAC defensive end Adrian Robinson and 3rd Team All-MAC defensive end Morkeith Brown. They do however, bring back both starting defensive tackles, including 300 lb nose tackle Levi Brown.
Linebacker could be their Achilles heel this year as they must replace 1st Team All-MAC outside linebacker Tahir Whitehead and middle linebacker Stephen Johnson. Their lone starter coming back is junior outside linebacker Blaze Caponegro.
The secondary loses starting corner Kee-Ayre Griffin and free safety Kevin Kroboth, but have six of their top eight back from last season. They should put up similar numbers against the pass again this season, as long as the defensive line continues to play at a high level. Senior strong safety Justin Gildea is the one player to keep an eye on in 2012.
Big East Prediction - 8th Big East
The Owls could definitely improve and compete in the Big East in time. But as of now, the Owls have little to no chance of being a threat in 2012. Their defense could carry them for short periods, but with their offense being virtually nonexistent, they will be unable to compete with some of the powerhouses in the conference.
About the Author:
Jack Jones is an expert handicapper who writes and provides his picks for Betfirms. Visit there now and read even more about the Owls' upcoming season.
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