It's not going to be easy for Temple's new head coach Steve Addazio.
Not only are the Owls jumping from the MAC to the Big East, but they will be doing it without their leading passer, rusher and receiver from a season ago.
But that may not be the worst of it. After spending six seasons at Florida and last year leading Temple to their third consecutive winning season, Addazio is accustomed to watching powerful and efficient offensive attacks. This year's version of the Owls, however, will be without several impact players from a season ago, including running back Bernard Pierce, who will now be playing his football on Sundays for the Baltimore Ravens.
That, coupled with a significantly more difficult schedule, seems to spell doom for Addazio and Temple in 2012. So will the Owls be the doormat of the Big East?
If the past three years are any indication, not so much. Temple has certainly struggled against power conference teams -- going 2-4 over the last three seasons -- but there are reasons for optimism. Penn State needed a late score to slip past the Owls last season, and the Nittany Lions struggled with Temple in 2010, as well. They also recorded a win over Big East foe Connecticut two years ago, and blew out Maryland last season. The recent past suggests that Temple will be competitive in the Big East, at the very least.
Their success this season, however, relies mainly on their ability to reload and replace their departed stars from a season ago. In that regard, they are certainly on the right track.
Addazio received a commitment from former Boston College standout Montel Harris earlier this month. All Harris did for the Eagles was become the school's all-time leading rusher, compiling more than 3,700 yards in just over three full seasons. He missed most of his senior year with a knee injury and was later granted a medical redshirt. He was dismissed from the team in May, however, before joining Temple a couple months later.
Perhaps, then, the Owls' vaunted rushing attack may not suffer too harsh a blow. Even more important, though, will be how easily replaceable linebacker Stephen Johnson will be. Johnson, among the nation's best tackler, leaves a void in the middle of a defense that was third in the country in scoring defense in 2011. When a team relies on a rushing attack as much as Temple has in recent years, a stout defense is critical. Replacing Johnson will be paramount to the Owls' success.
All of this marries to suggest what, exactly? Steve Addazio has what appears to be a powerful running game again, sure, but how much will the grind of a tougher conference weigh on his team?
It remains to be seen, of course. But one thing is for sure: If Temple is to be successful, it won't be easy. But it's certainly not impossible, either.
