The 2024 college football season is finally here and, thanks to Georgia Tech’s upset of No. 10 Florida State, it’s already off to a wild start! Oklahoma‘s season will begin this week with a home game versus the Temple Owls On Friday at 6 PM CT. This season marks a huge milestone not just for the sport as a whole, with the advent of the new 12-team College Football Playoff, but for Oklahoma, with its move to the Southeastern Conference. The Sooners have the toughest schedule in the conference and arguably one of the toughest in the country, so they’ll need to adapt to the SEC quickly if they want to have a successful season. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. First, the Sooners have to make it through their season opener against the Owls.
Temple Overview
Unfortunately for the Owls, they finished last season with just three wins, marking their fourth straight season of three wins or less. Their defense finished 127th in the country in points allowed per game (35.7) and their offense was only slightly better, finishing 109th in points per game (21.1). Unfortunately for Temple fans, this squad isn’t supposed to be much better this season and they’ve been picked by most to finish last in the American Athletic Conference. Their only three wins came against Akron, Norfolk State, and Navy. Temple will also have to replace quarterback EJ Warner, who transferred to Rice after starting for Temple the last two seasons.
The Owl Offense
Temple still has yet to name its starting quarterback, although it seems likely that it could be redshirt junior Forrest Brock who wins the job. The Owls also brought in former Rutger player Evan Simon to compete for the job. Unlike quarterback, the running back position is pretty cut and dry. Former Maryland transfer Antwain Littleton will be the starter; he had 708 rushing yards, nine touchdowns, and averaged 4.4 yards per rush in three seasons for the Terrapins. Joquez Smith, who finished second on the team in rushing last season with 325 yards, will be Littleton’s backup. The offensive line should also be improved compared to last season, as it returns tackle Luke Watson and guard Wisdom Quarshie, and brings in South Carolina center Grayson Mains. The Owls’ receivers are an older group and will be led by Dante Wright, who hauled in 39 catches for 507 yards and four scores in 2023. Zae Baines will probably be wide receiver two and he had 442 yards and one touchdown a year ago. All things considered, OU’s defense is much bigger and more physical than Temple’s offense and really should have its way with this AAC foe.
The Owl Defense
Temple’s defense was atrocious last season, so it would be incredible if they didn’t improve at least a little bit. However, the Owls did lose their best defender, linebacker Jordan Magee, to the NFL. He led the team in tackles (80) and tackles for loss (14) and was tied for the team lead in sacks with 3.5. Tra Thomas is an edge defender who should be the leader of the Temple defense in 2024. He finished with 30 tackles, five tackles for loss, and three sacks. Cam’Ron Thomas Stewart and Allan Haye will join Thomas on the defensive line. Eric Stuart, a transfer from Foothill College, will man the middle linebacker spot, alongside fellow transfer Tyquan King from East Carolina. Elijah Deravil had 40 tackles a year ago and should be the team’s best defensive back. This defensive unit is a major work in progress, and Oklahoma has so much more talent than the Owls do. Jackson Arnold and Co. may have a huge scoring day in store on Friday.
Prediction
This is a tune-up game for the Sooners but they can’t overlook Temple. That said, this should be a great chance for Jackson Arnold to put his Alamo Bowl performance behind him and light up the scoreboard.
Final score prediction: Oklahoma 42 – Temple 6
Main Image: NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK
