Temple 2026 Preview
The College Football Experience (@TCEonSGPN) on the Sports Gambling Podcast Network continues its 138 college football team preview series with the Temple Owls 2026 Season Preview. Pick Dundee aka (@TheColbyD) & Ryan McIntyre (@Moneyline_Mac) break down the 2026 Temple Owls roster and what to expect in the American this season. Can K.C. Keeler build on a 5-7 debut now that the deck rates his coaching seat just a 1 out of 10 in year two? And did Temple win the transfer portal by landing Penn State quarterback Jaxon Smolik after his 15-of-19, 241-yard, three-touchdown Cherry and White spring game?
Can an offense that ranked 101st nationally take a leap under coordinator Tyler Walker now that Smolik runs the show? Do returning weapons like JoJo Bermudez, Colin Chase and tight end Peter Clarke give the Owls one of the better skill groups in the American? Does Brian Smith’s defense bounce back after finishing 91st in total defense and 122nd against the run a year ago, with Curly Ordonez and Avery Powell leading the returners? Can Temple survive a schedule that runs from Penn State and Army through Navy, UAB and a first-ever meeting with Rice? And where’s the betting value on the Temple Owls win total, American odds and College Football Playoff chances? We talk it all and more on this episode of The College Football Experience.
Keeler Settles Into Year Two In Philadelphia
This Temple 2026 preview starts with K.C. Keeler in year two on North Broad. First, the Owls finished 5-7 in 2025, his debut season in Philadelphia. Then the deck rates his coaching seat just a 1 out of 10. That is one of the coolest marks on the whole board. The reason is simple, because the program trusts the rebuild. Also the close-game meter tells the real story of that record. Temple went 2-2 in games decided by eight points or fewer. Because a couple of those coin-flips fell the wrong way, the win column undersold the roster. So year two is the step where Keeler closes out the tight ones.
Jaxon Smolik And An Offense With Real Portal Help
Temple’s offense ranked 101st nationally in total yards last season. The scoring number sat a bit better at 67th under Tyler Walker. First, Penn State transfer Jaxon Smolik headlines the makeover at quarterback. He went 15 of 19 for 241 yards and three scores in the spring game. Then the receiver room returns JoJo Bermudez and Colin Chase. Tight end Peter Clarke gives Smolik one of the better options in the American. Because the group brings back 62 percent of its production, Walker has real continuity. Meanwhile the passing game ranked just 98th a year ago. So that number is where the Owls need the biggest jump.
Brian Smith’s Defense Looks To Climb
Brian Smith runs it back as defensive coordinator after a rocky first year. First, the unit ranked 91st nationally in total defense. Then the rushing defense finished a brutal 122nd. That run number is the weak spot on the roster. The pass defense held up better at 38th, the one bright spot. Because the group returns just 43 percent of its production, Smith leaned on the portal. Also linebacker Curly Ordonez and defensive back Avery Powell headline the returners. Together they have to set the tone for a young group. So the run defense is the number that has to move in the American.
The Schedule And The Win Total
Temple opens at home against Rhode Island. Then a Week 2 date with Penn State arrives at the Linc. First, a road trip to Toledo and a home game with Army round out the early slate. Then the American run moves through South Florida, UConn, Charlotte and East Carolina. From there the November stretch brings Navy, UAB and a first-ever meeting with Rice. The regular season closes on the road at Memphis. What does a Saturday feel like at Lincoln Financial Field when the Owls are rolling? The deck sets the Temple win total at 5.5. The Owls sit at plus 4000 to win the American and plus 4000 to make the Playoff. So the hosts weigh the over against a 6-out-of-10 program on the rise.
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Podcast Chapters
00:00 Download the SGPN App Today!
02:18 Last Year Lock Recap
03:03 Meet the Hosts
05:37 2025 Review and Close Games
07:05 Why Keeler Matters
08:30 Temple Potential and AAC Path
12:40 Program History and COVID Dip
15:51 Offense Stats and New QB
19:01 Defense Numbers and Portal Help
24:58 Temple Legends and Lineage
25:45 Local Bar Maxies Spotlight
28:08 Stadium Problem at The Linc
30:22 Campus Stadium Debate
30:40 Program Momentum Rating
31:21 Temple NIL Beer Hunt
35:31 Week 1 Rhode Island
36:11 Week 2 Penn State Upset Talk
38:34 Weeks 3-4 Toledo and Army
40:29 Midseason AAC Stretch
44:24 Closing Run and Win Totals
47:53 Future Rivalry Wish List
49:44 Wrap Up and Sendoff
