The Temple Owls aren’t a team you think of when you are considering potential conference champions, but don’t tell that to head coach Matt Rhule.
Rhule made an appearance on Philadelphia morning TV show Breakfast on Broad this week and said that he believes the veteran players on his team will help the Owls to contend for an American Athletic Conference championship this season.
“There’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to bring a conference championship trophy back to Temple,” Rhule said. “There’s not one in our building anywhere, and that’s what I think this group of seniors is going to contend to do.
“We’ve invested a lot of time over these last three years into these kids, so it’s their time and they look like they’re going to play at a high level.”
You have to admire the confidence.
This season, the Owls return all eleven starters on defense. On the offensive side of the ball, nine of eleven starters return — including quarterback P.J. Walker.
While it may be a stretch to beleive the Owls, who finished just 6-6 a year ago, can take home the conference title, it all begins with confidence and Rhule is making sure his team is mentally prepared.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports