Temple football: Offensive line, defense must be better in 2023

Temple football is coming into the 2023 season looking to be more assertive and aggressive on both ends of the field. The program needs to change and bring back memories of 1979. Why 1979? Because that’s the most victories they’ve had in their school history when they finished with a 10-2 record.

Owls head coach Stan Drayton went 3-9 in his first season with the team. Before coming to Temple, he spent many years as associate head coach, running backs coach, and run game coordinator. Temple has gone through several head coaching changes in the last 10 years.

Temple hasn’t won a conference title or a division title since 2016. The last time they had a Consensus All-American player was Tyler Matakevich in 2015.

Temple needs a lot of work on its defense and offensive line. The worst defensive performance came against UCF last season when they allowed 70 points. That’s unacceptable. Larry Knight returns to Temple and joins the coaching staff the defensive line coach so let’s see if he can change this defense for the better.

The offensive line will need protect their reigning ACC Rookie of the Year, EJ Warner, the son of Hall of Fame quarterback, Kurt Warner. I think Warner could provide some spark for Temple in his sophomore season. He was impressive last year when he threw for 3,028 passing yards, which is the most by a freshman. EJ also added 18 touchdowns. He would need to cut down on the interceptions of which he had 12 last season.

I believe Amad Anderson Jr will lead Temple in receiving yards and touchdowns. If he can be consistent and perform as he did against Tulsa and Navy last year, then Temple might have something good going with Warner and Anderson Jr. as a quarterback-receiver duo for the 2023 season.

Temple will improve by at least two more wins. I see them winning at least five games. That’s my prediction for their upcoming season.

Temple will begin their season against Akron at home on Sept. 2.