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Temple is a tough team that went 8-5 last season, including a decisive win in College Park. The Terps will be looking for payback as they travel to Philly for a home-and-home rematch.

The Owls welcome new head coach Rod Carey after his time at Northern Illinois, where he went 52-30 and won two Mid-American conference championships. He inherits an experienced quarterback in Anthony Russo and six returning starters on a defense that held teams to just 27.1 points per game last year.

Although Temple still has a solid squad, they must replace the production from running back Ryquell Armstead, defensive lineman Michael Dogbe and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin, who are all now in the NFL.

Replacing Armstead’s 1,098 rushing yards is a task that will have to be met by a combination of senior Jager Gardner, junior Tyler Raynor, and sophomore Jeremy Jennings. However, Gardner is the only one of the bunch who rushed for more than 100 yards last year.

The Owls’ backfield will be given the chance to succeed though behind an offensive line that returns four starters from last year’s team, including all-conference guard Jovahn Fair. Likewise with Temple’s receiving corps. The Owls return three of last year’s top four pass catchers to the offense, led by Branden Mack and Randle Jones, who collectively caught 67 passes for 1,046 yards and nine touchdowns in 2018.

Carey brought his defensive coordinator Jeff Knowles with him from NIU, which many in Philly questioned at the time, but it could turn out to be a match made in heaven. Knowles’ defense at Northern Illinois was designed to be physical and get after the quarterback. In fact, his defensive ends Sutton Smith and Josh Corcoran combined for 25 sacks last season. If he can replicate that model in Philadelphia, the Temple fans will welcome him with open arms.

Knowles inherits a talented bunch. Qunicy Roche and Zack Mesday give him the ends he needs to tee off on passers, and tackles Karamo Dioubate and Dan Archibong do a great job of clogging up the middle so that the pass rushers can go to work.

Temple’s linebacking corps is also strong, returning a junior and two seniors, led by Shaun Bradley, who’s one of the best at his position in the AAC. The secondary is a bigger question mark, as Ya-Sin, Delvon Randall, Jyquis Thomas, and Rodney Williams have all moved on. However, hybrid safety-linebacker Sam Franklin returns and will be the one to watch out for in this group.

Bottom line: If Maryland can protect its quarterback in this matchup, damage should be able to be done on Temple’s secondary. While the Owls have size on the interior of their defensive line in their starters, that is an area where Temple’s defense is a bit thin in terms of depth. If the Terps can run their stable of backs right up the gut in this game, it will kill two birds with one stone by wearing down the tackles and keeping the pass rushers at bay. Stopping the run against a Temple team that likes to pound the rock will also be important if Maryland wants to come out of Philly with a win.

Series: 7-2, Maryland

Last Maryland win: 2012, 36-27 at Temple

Last Temple win: 2018, 35-14 at Maryland