Closing out our look at the MAC East with a Temple squad that brings back all 22 starters! Al Golden took over at Temple inheriting a team making a transition to a new conference after not having won more than two games in the previous three years. He went 1-11 in his first year with just six players as hold-overs that had starting experience. In his second year he quadrupled their win total and awarded their backers with an 8-4 mark ATS. This year we can again expect to see improvement as the Owls are the only team in returning all 22 starters.

The offense, led by QB Adam DiMichele, averaged just 17.5 points and finished last in the MAC in just about every measurable category. But those numbers were vast improvements and matched or bettered three year highs. DiMichele was sidelined at the end of the year with a broken leg and continues to rehab, but coaches are hopeful he’ll be ready come August. The fact that he has been present throughout the spring and just recently returned to (almost) full duty certainly has this team fired up. Although he struggled at times with INTs, I really like his makeup. He brings stability in the locker room and an air of confidence not normally seen in the huddle within this program. He has weapons at his disposal and I think the combination of Bruce Francis and Travis Shelton will be two of the most overlooked yet productive WRs in the division.  What the Owls desperately need this year to take that big step forward is more production from the ground game. They moved what little experience in the backfield they had to other positions this offseason so the pressure is on for a RB to emerge.  

The defense actually finished with the third best overall numbers in the MAC, truly the backbone of their 4-4 conference record. They were second against the rush, fourth against the pass and fifth in points allowed, all of which were six year bests. Again, these aren’t eye popping numbers, but it speaks to the growth of the program. Junior Galette provided a good pass rush from his right defensive end position and Andre Neblett matched that performance from a tougher spot at nose tackle. If Leyon Azubuike can add some sacks to his 7.5 TFL effort last year and the others simply equal their performance, this unit has the makings of a top two MAC defense, right on par with the Redhawks of Miami.

The Owls have a very difficult schedule though. Starting in week three they have the unenviable task of traveling to Buffalo and Penn State in consecutive weeks before returning home to face Western Michigan, then its right back to the highway with stops at Miami (OH) and Central Michigan. If that isn’t the toughest, it’s certainly one of the top two toughest strings in the conference. If they can pull one or two upsets in that stretch, they will better last year’s 4-8 mark. But then again it is entirely possible that they show improvements everywhere but the W/L column.