Temple @ UMASS

Let’s talk about this one. Sometimes the gems are in the trash games.

This matchup might look like a battle of the basement on paper, but the Owls actually have some real upside heading into 2025, and that makes them the side to trust against UMass.

Offense: Clear Edge Temple

Temple finally has some juice at quarterback. Evan Simon returns with over 2,000 yards and a positive TD-to-INT ratio, and they added Gevani McCoy, a proven dual-threat from Idaho who racked up 42 TD passes in two years. Compare that to UMass, who is still figuring out their starter between a Yale transfer, Utah transfer, and last year’s backup. The Minutemen also lost their top three RBs, while Temple bolstered its backfield with Jay Ducker, a legit workhorse who’s already proven he can produce at the FBS level. Temple’s O-line isn’t perfect, but they’re miles ahead in stability and upside compared to UMass.

Defense: Both Bad, But Temple Improving

Neither team has been a model of defensive excellence, but there’s a key difference: Temple has an actual path to improvement. They were shredded on the ground last year (226 YPG allowed, #132 FBS), but they’ve brought in size and depth through the transfer portal, plus UMass has no established RB depth after the portal exodus. Meanwhile, Temple’s pass defense was quietly respectable (#65 efficiency D), and their secondary returns legitimate starters. UMass, on the other hand, has to replace their top pass rushers, their top linebackers, and essentially rebuild the secondary from scratch with transfers. That’s not a recipe for stability.

Special Teams: Not Even Close

Temple brings back a solid punter and has a new kicker the staff trusts. UMass? They were rated the worst special teams unit in the country last year by Phil Steele (#134) and are breaking in a brand-new kicker and punter. That’s a massive edge for the Owls.

The Bottom Line

UMass is still in complete rebuild mode. New QB battle, gutted RB room, shaky offensive line, and a defense that couldn’t stop anyone last year. Temple, for all their flaws, has stability at QB, upgraded talent in the backfield, and a defense that should at least take a modest step forward. Add in the glaring mismatch on special teams and you’ve got the perfect spot to back the Owls.

The Pick: Temple 

They’ve got the better QB situation, stronger ground game, and a defense that should do just enough. UMass still looks like a year (or two) away.