The Temple Owls head into the 2024 season with significant challenges on the defensive side of the ball, primarily due to the departure of key playmakers. One of the biggest losses is linebacker Jordan Magee, who has moved on to the professional ranks. Magee was a standout for the Owls in 2023, leading the team with 80 tackles and 14 tackles for loss. He also tied for the team lead with 3.5 sacks. Replacing Magee's production will be a difficult task for the Owls, as his presence was felt in both run defense and pass rush.
During the offseason, defensive coordinator Everett Withers introduced a new 4-3 defensive scheme, a significant shift from the strategies Temple has employed over the past few seasons. This change could bring some positive outcomes, particularly by adding more size and strength to the box. However, the transition also raises questions about how well the current roster will adapt to the new system.
In 2023, the Owls struggled to contain the run, allowing 198.3 rushing yards per game, which ranked them near the bottom of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) at 13th. They also managed to record only 22 sacks, placing them 10th in the AAC. The new scheme might help tighten up the run defense, but the question remains whether it will generate more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
For Oklahoma, this matchup offers an excellent opportunity for quarterback Jackson Arnold to gain valuable experience early in the season. With Temple’s defense undergoing a scheme change and facing personnel challenges, Arnold could find the game conditions favorable to work on his development and establish confidence.
Additionally, the Sooners’ receiving corps, which is being tested for depth following several offseason changes and camp injuries, will face a Temple secondary that could be vulnerable. This gradual challenge should allow Oklahoma's wide receivers to build chemistry with Arnold and find rhythm before facing tougher competition later in the season.
Overall, Temple's defensive unit, while adjusting to a new scheme and trying to replace key players like Magee, presents a potentially advantageous scenario for Oklahoma to fine-tune their offense. The matchup could serve as a building block for the Sooners as they prepare for the more rigorous tests that lie ahead in their schedule.