Temple

Temple quietly loaded up for a big year with OT Ransom McDermott arriving from Louisville as the headliner in a 23-player transfer haul designed to bounce back from a 5-7 disappointment. The Owls grade out 90th nationally with a -4.0 JP+ rating, driven primarily by defensive struggles that rank 113th while the offense sits at a respectable 67th. They lost key pieces like WR Xavier Irvin and RB Terrez Worthy to the portal but added Penn State transfers Joey Schlaffer at tight end and QB Jaxon Smolik to complement returning starter Evan Simon.

JP+ projects 6.4 wins for Temple, suggesting bowl eligibility is within reach despite the defensive concerns that surrendered too many points last season. The schedule offers manageable home games against UAB, Charlotte, and Rhode Island, though road trips to South Florida and Navy plus a home date with Penn State will test their ceiling. If McDermott and the offensive line additions can protect Simon while Schlaffer provides another receiving threat, Temple could surprise in the American Athletic Conference. If the defense doesn't improve from its bottom-25 showing, another sub-.500 campaign looms.