Projected 2017 record and S&P+ ranking: 8-4 (67th)
Biggest strength: A defense that ranked 17th in Passing S&P+ returns most of an awesome secondary.
Biggest question mark: Part of that pass defense was an incredible pass rush; will the loss of Hassan Reddick and three other excellent pass rushers lead to a little bit of regression or an outright collapse?
Biggest 2017 game: I couldn’t decide between two — the Sept. 21 trip to USF and the Sept. 30 visit from Houston will define whether Temple is looking for another conference title or simply looking to reach six wins.
Summary: Geoff Collins takes over as head coach for a Temple program that has completely changed its expectations and capabilities over the last decade. It’s hard to imagine Temple avoiding a step backwards in 2017, but the exciting young pieces Collins inherits should be ready to thrive by 2018.
The next two Saturdays, Temple will have scrimmages that should go a long way in determining the starting quarterback. Four players are battling, and none of them have separated from the others yet. The candidates are redshirt junior Frank Nutile, redshirt sophomore Logan Marchi, redshirt freshman Anthony Russo and freshman Todd Centeio.
This season, the Owls are even more likely to rotate linemen. No player might be as dominant as Reddick, but this could be a deeper line, especially at tackle.
Because of the inexperience, Patenaude will likely mix his fast-paced spread offense with some pro sets, having the quarterback take the snap from under center. The Owls will likely play their share of smash-mouth football to control the clock.
Relegated to the dreaded ESPNU with an 11a kick. Not an intriguing match up this year unfortunately.
I’m traveling to Philly for this one (family in the area). Their seat map doesn’t really indicate where the visitor’s section is.
I’m either going to buy tickets though UH or just sit behind our bench.
Temple true freshman quarterback Todd Centeio saw his first action of the season in Friday’s 29-21 win over Massachusetts, completing both passes for 20 yards and running for 10 yards on two carries.
Temple in a similar boat as us at the QB position.
Following the team’s previous win against the University of Massachusetts, the Owls seemed to be set with their quarterback. Logan Marchi finally seemed to becoming acclimated with his receivers and the offense. Then, against USF, he took a massive step backwards. After a poor start highlighted by 2 early interceptions, head coach Geoff Collins elected to replace Marchi with redshirt-senior Frank Nutile. Then, after a so-so start from Nutile, the team elected rotate quarterbacks regularly not allowing either to get into the swing of the game.
Marchi struggled to start the game, and throughout the rotation role added another interception and fumble to his mounting turnover list. The stat line at the end of the game was forgettable- completing 3 of 13 passes for 32 yards and 3 interceptions. Nutile also struggled throwing for 57 yards on 5 of 13 attempts with 1 interception.
https://twitter.com/SHPawdcast/status/913175699606921217
https://twitter.com/SHPawdcast/status/913175960383578112
https://twitter.com/SHPawdcast/status/913176170887368705
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https://twitter.com/SHPawdcast/status/913176963480784897
https://twitter.com/SHPawdcast/status/913177185732759553
https://twitter.com/SHPawdcast/status/913177434668777472
https://twitter.com/SHPawdcast/status/913177666232168451
Temple looking to bounce back against Houston
“Houston, obviously they’re a tough opponent,” Collins said. “They’ve won a lot of games over the last four years. Major Applewhite [Houston head coach] and I worked together at Alabama. He and I are really good friends. I respect the job that he does.”