The Big Temple Owls Preview

Opponent: Temple Owls

2021 Record: 3-3, 1-1 AAC

Head Coach: Rod Carey (12-14 in three seasons)

Date/Time/Location: Saturday, October 23, 7 p.m., Raymond James Stadium (65,857), Tampa, FL

How To Watch/Listen: ESPN+, 95.3 WDAE, Bulls Unlimited

Series History: Temple leads series 5-2. Last: Temple won 39-37 in 2020.

You wanna talk about needing a win? The South Florida Bulls NEED a win on Saturday when they face the Temple Owls inside Raymond James Stadium. If the Bulls don’t win, they will go TWO FULL YEARS without winning against an FBS team. This program cannot afford to lose a very winnable game because—frankly—there may not be another one on the schedule this year.

Temple escaped last year with the win after a questionable timeout, and playcall by head coach Jeff Scott, and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, Jr. Surely, they’ve fixed that since last year...............................

Well, anyway, Scott has said time and time again that this team is much different than last year’s team. Saturday will be a huge test to that theory. In 2020, the Bulls lost close games to Memphis, and Temple, and promptly got taken to the woodshed the very next game. We’ve talked all year about how will this team respond to getting punched in the face. Well, this game is responding to getting punched in the face, and then on the way down getting kicked right in the groin. More than anything, this game will tell us more about the culture, and where the team is headed than any point under Scott.

The Owls are led by Georgia transfer QB D’Wan Mathis. He’s completed 61% of his passes, but the offense has been completely underwhelming. They’re scoring just over 23 points per game, and in games against teams with a semblance of a pulse, they’re scoring 13 points per contest. Running back Edward Saydee leads the team in rushing 191 yards at 3.9 yards per carry. Wide receiver Jose Barbon has 26 catches for 325 yards. This offense is not explosive at all.

The defense is even worse. They’ve allowed over 33 points per game, and in games against teams with a pulse, they’ve allowed over 43 points per game. The Owls gave up 61 points to Rutgers.

I don’t really want to focus on Temple here because to be honest, I need this win. The team needs this win. The entire fan base needs this win after the week they’ve had.

Go out there, and prove you’re a different team. I’ll believe it this week.

USF 45, Temple 20