Temple has had a rough go recently with six consecutive sub-.500 seasons. But now in the second year of head coach KC Keeler’s tenure, there is optimism for better days ahead.
Last year, Temple went 5-7 and that included two one-point losses to the service academies, losing 32-31 to Navy and 14-13 at Army. The Owls certainly have a chance to earn their first bowl berth since going 8-5 in 2019.
Temple Season Preview
Despite the optimism, there remain several questions with the Owls, especially with having to adjust to a new quarterback. But there are plenty of returning veterans, especially on offense. Rebuilding a defense that doesn’t have as much experience will be a challenge.
Key Players To Replace
Most of Temple’s losses came from players who used up their eligibility.
Leading the way is quarterback Evan Simon, who threw for 2,097 yards, 25 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Receiver Kajiya Hollawayne had 39 receptions for 489 yards and six touchdowns. Running back Jay Ducker rushed for 809 yards and seven touchdowns. Defensive tackle Alan Haye contributed 21 tackles. Linebacker Cam’Ron Stewart had 32 tackles and five sacks. Cornerback Jaylen Castleberry was third on the team with 45 tackles and was tied for the team lead with seven pass breakups.
The Quarterback Situation
Redshirt sophomore Jaxon Smolik spent the previous three years at Penn State and had zero pass attempts. He appears to be the favorite to start, but redshirt junior Ajani Sheppard, a transfer from Washington State, is in a similar situation to Smolik. In three years at Washington State, he attempted two passes. While Smolik is the favorite for the job, Sheppard could battle for playing time.
Key Returning Players
Last year, Hunter Smith rushed for 403 yards and two touchdowns. Tight end Peter Clarke provided a spark in the passing game, recording 30 receptions for 483 yards and six touchdowns.
JoJo Bermudez led Temple with 39 receptions for a team-high 500 yards and four touchdowns. He also averaged 15 yards on 10 punt returns.
Fellow receiver Colin Chase had 40 receptions for 414 yards and four scores. Senior tackle Giakoby Hills is Temple’s best returning offensive lineman. Other experienced returning linemen are guards Eric King and Jackson Pruitt and center Grayson Mains.
Linebacker Curly Ordonez led the Owls with 66 tackles in 2025. Safety Avery Powell was second on the team with 54 tackles. He also had one interception and a team-high three fumble recoveries. Linebacker Eric Stuart recorded 44 tackles. Safety Pooh Lawton had 23 tackles and one interception.
Carl Hardin converted 11 of 14 field goal attempts, including a long of 52 yards. He also had 38 touchbacks on 63 kickoffs. Dante Atton averaged 42.18 yards on 62 punts.
Key Newcomers
Running back Sam Brown V had just 16 carries last season for Rutgers but should be a much bigger part of the Temple offense. Receiver Jayce Freeman had 41 receptions for a career-best 774 yards and eight touchdowns at Stony Brook while also averaging 27.1 yards and scoring a touchdown on 13 kickoff returns.
Penn State transfer Kaleb Artis, who missed last season due to injury, adds depth on the defensive line. Defensive end Jaylon Joseph contributed 23 tackles and 7.5 sacks last season at Lafayette, where he was a second-team All-Patriot League choice.
Temple’s 2026 Schedule
- 9/5 vs. Rhode Island
- 9/12 vs. Penn State
- 9/19 at Toledo
- 9/25 vs. Army
- 10/3 at South Florida
- 10/10 vs. UConn
- 10/17 vs. Charlotte
- 10/30 at East Carolina
- 11/7 at Navy
- 11/14 vs. UAB
- 11/19 vs. Rice
- 11/28 at Memphis
Bold indicates American contests
Temple’s American Conference Title Betting Odds
Temple’s college football betting odds to win the conference are +4000, via BetMGM. The Owls are 11th out of the 14-team American Conference when it comes to those betting odds.
Temple’s Betting Odds & Over/Under Win Total
- Temple’s win total Over/Under is 5.5
- The Under is at -130
- The Over is at +100
Temple Season Prediction
I like the Owls to earn over 5.5 wins and secure a bowl berth. Interesting to note that during Keeler’s second year at his previous three head coaching stops – Rowan University, Delaware and Sam Houston – he went 32-8.
Compared to other teams in the American, Temple brings back a large number of veterans.
The obvious key is at quarterback. Smolik has good credentials, and he had to have talent to not only be recruited but stay at Penn State for three years. But he has virtually no game experience, so it will be interesting how quickly he can adapt. Sheppard is in the same boat, but the positive thing from Temple’s standpoint is that both quarterbacks have talent. Now it is about applying it in games.
One other thing that could aid the Owls is that they have seven home games in Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field. The non-league schedule isn’t easy, but discounting Penn State, Temple has the ability to compete favorably with the other three teams, FCS Rhode Island, Toledo and UConn.
That said, the .500 or better record will likely hinge on the two non-conference games with Toledo and UConn. Toledo is considered a contender in the MAC. According to BetMGM, the Rockets’ Over/Under win total is 7.5. UConn’s Over/Under win total is the same as Temple’s at 5.5.
Five of the first seven games are at home, so Temple will need to get off to a good start, but all the arrows are pointing upward for a program that will be hungry to earn a bowl bid.
