It’s Oklahoma vs. Temple in Week 1 of the college football season. And, the upcoming matchup is shaping up to be a significant mismatch. Oklahoma, entering its first season in the SEC, is heavily favored to win, with betting lines giving them around a 42 to 43-point advantage.
Oklahoma is coming off a 10-3 season in 2023, while Temple finished with a 3-9 record. The Sooners have a talented roster, led by quarterback Jackson Arnold, and are expected to dominate this game. Here’s a look at some key matchups and storylines as we inch closer to game day.
Oklahoma vs Temple History
The Sooners and Owls have met twice, with OU posting a 9-6 home victory in the 1940 season and the Owls winning, 14-7, at Temple Stadium in 1942.
Key Players for Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s offense will be led by the aforementioned Arnold; as well as a talented group of wide receivers including a now-healthy Andrel Anthony and transfer Deion Burks, showed its potential in the Alamo Bowl against Arizona, where they amassed 562 yards.
However, they also struggled with turnovers, committing six in the game. Temple’s defense will face a tough challenge in containing Oklahoma’s explosive offense and forcing turnovers to limit their scoring opportunities.
Key Players for Temple
2023 stats
- Offense: 21.1 points per game (109th nationally)
- Defense: 35.7 points per game (127th nationally)
Key returners
- WR Dante Wright (39 receptions, 507 yards, 4 TDs)
- WR Amad Anderson Jr. (37 receptions, *647 yards, 3 TDs)
- RB Joquez Smith (71 carries, 325 yards, 1 TD)
Key additions
- DL Latrell Jean, Florida Atlantic (24 tackles, 4.0 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT)
- QB Clifton McDowell, Montana (three-star prospect in 2019)
- OL Grayson Mains, South Carolina (three-star prospect in 2022)
- DB Javier Morton, Nebraska (three-star prospect in 2021)
There’s plenty of key players for Temple, but their best player is likely wide receiver Dante Wright. Wright had 39 catches for 507 yards and four touchdowns last season, finishing second in receptions on the Owls behind only David Martin-Robinson, who is now with the Tennessee Titans. Wright is experienced in his sixth season of college football with 159 catches for 2,165 yards and 11 touchdowns in four seasons at Colorado State and one at Temple.
Oklahoma vs. Temple – Key Matchups
Temple’s Offensive Line vs. Oklahoma’s Defensive Front
Oklahoma’s defensive line, led by veterans Ethan Downs and Da’Jon Terry, along with recent transfer Damonic Williams, should be able to dominate Temple’s offensive line. Temple must protect their quarterback and create running lanes against Oklahoma’s powerful defensive front, which is expected to have a significant advantage in this matchup.
Oklahoma’s Secondary vs. Temple’s Passing Game
Temple’s offense relies heavily on their passing game, led by quarterback Forrest Brock and wide receivers Zae Baines and Xavier Irvin. Oklahoma’s secondary, led by Billy Bowman Jr. and Peyton Bowen, will be tested a little at the start of the season.
Oklahoma’s Offensive Line vs. Temple’s Defensive Front
The Oklahoma Sooners’ offensive line will need to gel quickly. The OL must create running lanes and protect the quarterback against Temple’s defensive front. Veteran linemen Jacob Sexton and Jake Taylor will be key contributors, while transfers Michael Tarquin, Branson Hickman, and Febechi Nwaiwu from Oklahoma will also be important additions.
On the other side, Temple’s defensive line has been bolstered by the addition of transfer defensive end Cam’Ron Stewart and nose tackle Latrell Jean. This matchup of experienced offensive linemen against a strengthened Temple defensive front will be a crucial factor in determining the outcome of the game.
Final Thoughts
This has all of the ingredients to be a typical SEC Week 1 game. The Sooners will be at home on a rare Friday under the lights against an inferior opponent.
Barring something completely unexpected, this should be an excellent tune-up game for the Sooners to start the season.
