Temple football: Will Owls continue bowl streak in 2020?

How will Temple football fare in 2020?

Temple is looking to make their sixth straight bowl game and challenge for the AAC title, but a difficult schedule awaits.

The AAC has not made any announcements as to whether they could play a conference-only schedule like the Big Ten and Pac-12, so these predictions could include a few asterisks down the line. The game versus Rutgers is canceled due to the Big Ten’s decision to play conference only because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Here is how the Owls’ 2020 season will play out.

• Game 1: at Miami (L) — This is an interesting game on a lot of levels, with Miami coach Manny Diaz facing the Temple program he was leading for three weeks and former standout Quincy Roche suiting up for the Canes. Miami should win comfortably here, though.
• Game 2: vs. Idaho (W) — The Owls should score a win here against the Vandals at home.
• Game 3: at Navy (L) — It will be hard to slow down the Navy option attack with so many new faces in the front-seven.
• Game 4: at UMass (W) — UMass is one of the worst programs in the country and 2020 is going to be another long season for the Minutemen.
• Game 5: vs. South Florida (W) — USF is undergoing a transition to a new coaching staff and should be vulnerable this season.
• Game 6: at Memphis (L): Even with the loss of Mike Norvell, the Tigers will be threat in the AAC with quarterback Brady White.
• Game 7: at Tulane (L) — Tulane is well coached by Willie Fritz and will be a tough team to beat on the road.
• Game 8: vs. SMU (W) — I’m going out on a limb here but I think the Owls can pull the upset on the Mustangs at home.
• Game 9: at UCF (L) — UCF is expected to be a force on both sides of the ball and will be tough to beat on the road.
• Game 10: vs. East Carolina (W) — The Pirates have a powerful offense, but the home-field advantage gives the Owls the victory.
• Game 11: vs. Cincinnati (L) — Temple is capable of pulling the upset, but I think the Bearcats are in for a special season.

Final record: 5-6, 3-5 AAC

Temple has a tough conference schedule and is will have to pull some upsets over a couple of the top teams in the conference like Memphis, UCF, SMU and Cincinnati. I just think there are too many new faces on the defense and not enough elite talent on offense to make up for the losses on the defensive side of the ball.

Rutgers was a probable win, but that game is unfortunately canceled for the Owls.