Temple Owls 2018 Football Preview
Opening Statement: The first season under Geoff Collins started off in a bumpy fashion, as the Owls started out 3-5 on the season. The Owls then found Frank Nutile at QB, and the team finished 4-1, and beat FIU in the Gasparilla Bowl 28-3. The Owls are in much better shape coming into the season in 2018 than they were a year ago, with experience across the roster. The schedule, however, is a bit on the tougher side, so will that be something to consider when asking if the Owls can make a push in the AAC race?
Breakdown Offense: Nutile returns as the starter at QB after passing for 1600 yards and 12 TDs in 8 games last season, and he was the hero that lifted the team in that season closing run. He is not giving that job back to anyone, so Logan Marchi, who he replaced, transferred to East Tennessee State after the season to regain his shot. Nutile completed 61.3% of his passes, which is an upgrade over Marchi, but he still tossed 7 picks, which is something that will need to be worked out over a full season as starter. Todd Centeio likely steps into the number 2 role in fall camp.
Ryquell Armstead is back at RB, and is joined by David Hood once again to form up the 2 headed monster attack from a year ago. They combined for 1242 yards rushing last fall, with 10 scores. Hood averaged 4.91 yards per carry, but Armstead is more the short gain type, averaging just 3.87 yards per carry. Jager Gardner, who carried 12 times, but missed 10 games last fall, could be the 3rd back, but a receiver could have some carries as well in Isaiah Wright, who carried 25 times in a multi-duty role last fall.
Wright is the lone returning starter at WR after catching 46 passes last season for 668 yards and 4 scores, while averaging 14.52 yards per catch. Adonis Jennings and Keith Kirkwood have both moved on, and that takes 87 receptions off the table from a year ago. Ventell Bryant and Jaden Blue are expected to take over those roles. Bryant caught 29 passes last fall, but Blue will be a freshman. Another freshman, Sean Ryan, out of Brooklyn, brings high expectations, and hopes are that he could have some impact after enrolling early.
The line returns just 2 starters that finished the season in LG Vincent Picozzi and C Matt Hennessey. Jovahn Fair is slated in at RG, and has some experience. Jalein Robinson is penciled in at LT, while James McHale is the RT heading into fall camp. They have both started in the past and have experience, making the transition easier. Depth is going to be a problem, as there has been little development behind this group.
Breakdown Defense: The interior defensive line has some experience coming back with 2 returning starters in Dan Archibong and Michael Dogbe. They combined for 4.5 TFLs last season, and Archibong started as a freshman. Quincy Roche was a huge contributor as a rotational DE last fall, as he totaled 11.5 TFLs as a freshman with 7 sacks. He is a full starter this fall. Dana Levine is starting at the other open DE spot. He totaled 2 sacks off the bench last fall, and should see increased numbers this season. Again, there is not much in the way of depth other than DeAndre Kelly off the bench.
The starting LB unit returns intact in Sam Franklin, Shaun Bradley, and Chapelle Russell. Bradley led the team with 85 tackles last fall, while Russell finished 3rd as a sophomore with 70. Franklin added 59 tackles. Russell is coming off a second major knee injury, and his status may not be clear until well into camp. Bradley finished with 10 TFLs, and is probably the most disruptive of what could be a very good unit.
Delvin Randall returns to start at Safety, but 3 new starters must be found. Luckily there is some experience to rely upon. Randall finished with 83 tackles and 4 INTs last fall. Benny Walls is expected to start at the open Safety spot. He forced 2 fumbles as a sophomore last fall.
Linwood Crump and Rock Ya-Sin are the expected starters at CB. Crump totaled 6 PBUs last fall and added 15 tackles as a sophomore. Ya-Sin does not have as much game experience, but is a senior heading into the season.
Breakdown Special Teams: Aaron Boumerhi is the starter at PK after hitting 15/23 FG attempts last season, but he also missed 2 PATs as well as 8 FG attempts, meaning that he left 26 points on the field last season. He could be pushed in camp, but likely retains the job.
Connor Bowler is expected to win the open Punter job after the departure of Alex Starzyk. He is a freshman.
Wright is expected to be the primary KR man after averaging 24.92 yards per return. He scored once last season. He also averaged 9.91 on punt returns, with one score.
Final Analysis: There is enough returning talent to remain competitive for the Owls in 2018, but not enough talent returning likely to compete for the AAC East title with UCF. Temple could surprise some people with a couple of wins that they should not get, if they could knock off both Maryland and Boston College out of conference. If they could do that, anywhere from 6 to 8 wins could be possible. I will bank on 6 and another bowl.
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