Temple is 23rd nationally allowing 170.7 passing yards per game and is 21st holding opponents to complete only 54.2 percent of its pass attempts. A deeper look inside the Temple pass defense indicates is not as good as it appears. Tyler Van Dyke will be the best quarterback Temple has played this season.
Temple opponents are attempting only 24.0 passes per game which is the fourth lowest nationally. The Owls are tied for 67th nationally with Indiana allowing opponents 7.1 yards per pass attempt. Temple is also 67th allowing opponents a 129.57 passer rating. Most of Temple’s success was versus FCS Norfolk State.
The Spartans completed 12 passes in 22 attempts for 110 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions in a 41-9 loss to Temple last week. Temple is 39th nationally allowing 201.5 passing yards per game in their two games versus FBS opponents Akron and Rutgers.
Temple is 81st nationally versus FBS opponents allowing 8.1 yards per pass attempt. The Owls are ninth nationally allowing 16 pass plays of 10 or more yards, 31st with four completions of 20 or more yards, 51st with three of 30 plus and 86th with three of 40 or more. Temple has also allowed two of 50 or more and one 60 plus.
Canes OC Shannon Dawson at the podium now.
— Christy Chirinos (@ChristyChirinos) September 18, 2023
On Temple's defense, which he faced last year at Houston:
"They're more athletic, they get after the passer...chaotic up front, a lot of movement...they're explosive on the edge...they're going to challenge us and get in our face."
Miami should be able to exploit Temple deep. The Hurricanes are 13th nationally averaging 322.0 passing yards per game, seventh with a 196.11 passer rating, ninth averaging 10.9 yards per attempt, sixth completing 77.5 percent of their passes an 22nd with eight TD passes. Those numbers should continue versus Temple.
New offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson has renewed the confidence in the ability of Tyler Van Dyke to throw the deep ball. Miami is 13th nationally with 38 completions of 10 or more yards, eighth with 17 completions of 20 or more yards, 20th with four completions of 40 or more yards and 21st with two of 50 plus.
Dawson will take what the Temple defense gives Miami. Temple is 95th allowing 152.67 rushing yards per game and 74th allowing 3.85 rushing yards per carry. Miami should be able to set up the pass with the run and able to take deep shots when Temple stacks the box. Miami should have a big day offensively in Philadelphia.