Penn State at Temple - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Penn State Nittany Lions at Temple Owls

Temple logo
Saturday, September 12th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Lincoln Financial Field - Philadelphia, PA

 
Nittany Lions (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Matt Campbell (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 31 - 21 (29 - 30 on Road)
Record Prediction: 9.4 - 2.6 (#10)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 0) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 6)
TEM 2nd straight Home Game
Our Line: Penn State -20  (SP+ PSU -23)

Projected Score: PSU: 38 - TEM: 18 (56)
PSU Win prob: 93% | Cover: 53%
PSU Travel: 155 miles
Owls (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach K. C. Keeler (5 - 7)
Avg Score : 28 - 30 (24 - 31 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 5.6 - 6.4 (#71)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 1) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 6)
 
Penn State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Penn State vs Marshall-25
Sat 9/12Penn State at Temple-20
Sat 9/19Penn State vs Buffalo-30
Sat 9/26Penn State vs Wisconsin-20
Fri 10/2Penn State at Northwestern-11.5
Sat 10/10Penn State vs USC+0.5
Sat 10/17Penn State at Michigan+4
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/31Penn State vs Purdue-23
Sat 11/7Penn State at Washington+6.5
Sat 11/14Penn State vs Minnesota-13.5
Sat 11/21Penn State vs Rutgers-18.5
Sat 11/28Penn State at Maryland-13

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 0, Avg 3, Bad 3, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 3, Good: 0, Avg 3, Bad 3, Poor 3
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Penn State's Schedule
Temple's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Temple vs Rhode Island-18.5
Sat 9/12Temple vs Penn State+20
Sat 9/19Temple at Toledo+11
Sat 9/26Temple vs Army+0.5
Sat 10/3Temple at South Florida+15.5
Sat 10/10Temple vs UConn+0.5
Sat 10/17Temple vs Charlotte-18
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/31Temple at East Carolina+13
Sat 11/7Temple at Navy+7.5
Sat 11/14Temple vs UAB-9.5
Thu 11/19Temple vs Rice-11.5
Sat 11/28Temple at Memphis+12.5

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 3, Bad 3, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 3, Bad 3, Poor 3
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Temple's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
PSU#32 (.23)46% (26)3147% (33)3.12 (38)17445% (32)1884.32 (25)#50 (.12)41% (62)20.544% (94)38% (36)3.33 (37)37.30.81
TEM#46 (.2)44% (46)27.844% (60)2.8 (97)14845% (37)1984.58 (13)#132 (.28)46% (125)29.749% (130)43% (88)4.77 (136)50.30.31.3
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
PSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
TEM0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
PSU Offense133128.646.3%4.320.8203621741884.855%43%47%45%14%.23
TEM Defense1229.730.746.3%4.771.3 - - - - - 57%42%49%43%15%.28
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
PSU Defense1320.530.241.2%3.331 - - - - - 51%48%44%38%16%.12
TEM Offense1227.823.844.4%4.580.3183451481984.550%49%44%45%14%.2

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Penn State1329:2919.644%59%4.137.30.816.22.4231.9
Temple1230:0818.338%74%550.30.31.34.61.3128.2
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
PSU Offense1355% (29)47% (33)36.5174.44.830 (26).21 (25)3.12 (38)76% (43)9% (47)1 (52)
TEM Defense1257% (130)49% (130) - - - - .22 (128)3.37 (133)74% (90)9% (86)0.97 (75)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
PSU Defense1351% (83)44% (94) - - - - .11 (75)2.97 (84)69% (54)11% (34)0.93 (55)
TEM Offense1250% (63)44% (60)33.2147.84.513 (78).09 (82)2.8 (97)60% (130)9% (67)0.86 (116)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
PSU Offense1343% (111)45% (32)17.426.1187.67.210.816 (86)7 (60).28 (53)1.4 (111)26% (11)31% (57).35 (52)5% (25)2 (69)
TEM Defense1242% (6)43% (88) - - - - - - 7 (38).39 (123)1.7 (114)28% (127)33% (110).42 (117)6% (81)1.8 (19)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
PSU Defense1348% (63)38% (36) - - - - - - 6 (55).18 (40)1.5 (26)30% (99)27% (28).23 (49)5% (101)1.9 (33)
TEM Offense1249% (68)45% (37)17.929197.56.81128 (8)2 (1).35 (36)1.5 (87)31% (64)27% (99).2 (107)5% (35)1.8 (127)

Penn State's Power Ratings
Penn State's Power Rating: 17.04  #22
Penn State's Offense Rating: 19.45  #25
Penn State's Defense Rating: 7.41  #21
2026 Talent Rating: 884.00  #39
Blue Chip Ratio: 29%  #20
Penn State's 2026 Expected Record: 9.4 - 2.6
Penn State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 18.1  #15
Penn State's Offense SP+ Rating: 35.1  #17
Penn State's Defense SP+ Rating: 18.8  #22

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
Penn State: 17.04   Temple: -2.36

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Penn State: 18.1   Temple: -5.1




Temple's Power Ratings
Temple's Power Rating: -2.36  #89
Temple's Offense Rating: 14.78  #59
Temple's Defense Rating: 24.40  #130
2026 Talent Rating: 698.00  #77
Blue Chip Ratio: 2  #73
Temple's 2026 Expected Record: 5.6 - 6.4
Temple's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -5.1  #88
Temple's Offense SP+ Rating: 27.1  #68
Temple's Defense SP+ Rating: 33.2  #109

Average Talent
Average American Athletic Talent Rating is 572.14
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


Penn State Scoring
Offense: 31 PPG
Offense on Road: 28.6
Defense: 20.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 30.2

Penn State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Penn State 38
Temple 18


Projected Total Points: 56
Temple Scoring
Offense: 27.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 23.8
Defense: 29.7 PPG
Defense at Home: 30.7

Temple's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
201609/17Penn State34Temple27Penn State -7Push48.0Over
201509/05Temple27Penn State10Penn State -14Temple43.0Under
201411/15Penn State30Temple13Penn State -10.5Penn State0
201209/22Penn State24Temple13
201109/17Temple10Penn State14
201009/25Penn State22Temple13
200909/19Penn State31Temple6
200809/20Penn State45Temple3
200711/10Temple0Penn State31
200611/11Penn State47Temple0
200308/30Penn State23Temple10
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Temple111 Overs
Penn State1011 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams9 - 22 - 01 - 01 - 0
Road Teams2 - 90 - 20 - 10 - 1

(#22) PSU at (#89) TEM
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatPSUTEM
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #22 #89
SP+SP+ #15 #88
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #39 #77
Blue ChipsBC% #20 #73
Penn State Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Ready for Campbell & new era of PSU
(2/12) LB coach T Veidt was Cincy's DC last 2 years
(2/2) Reset w Campbell & staff + 23 Iowa St portals
(1/29) Does roster churn wipe slate? Great looking staff
(1/28) Over 50% new roster, 23 of 36 Portals from ISU
(1/28) 12 starters from Iowa St incl QB + all skill pos
(1/28) OL has big ? at OT, DL has big ? at DT.
(1/28) Def back 7 solid, 3 ISU LB's. DBs good w exp
(1/27) Likely have the easiest schedule in the Big Ten
Penn State Injury Report
Temple Notes
(2/25) Vibes: Excited, Owls should bowl, strong run game
(2/25) HC Keeler a good one, look to bowl after 5 wins
(2/25) QB1? Smolik (PSU) vs Sheppard (WSU) likely
(2/25) RB H Smith back, Brown (RU) added. Have depth
(2/25) WR has a decent stable, 2 productive FCS adds
(2/25) TE Peter Clarke is a big target, a top G5 option
(2/25) OL has 4 good starters and depth options. Strong
(2/25) DL is a ?, LB unit looks strong. CBs very green
Temple Injury Report
Penn State on Offense
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
PSU OffTEM Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #26 #125
ExplosiveExp #100 #69
PPAPPA #32 #132
PowerPwr #25 #130
SP+SP+ #17 #109
Pts POPPO #25 #136
HavocHav #39 #94
Penn State Run Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
PSU OffTEM Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #33 #130
Run ExplRExp #52 #75
PPAExp #25 #128
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #38 #133
Stuff RateStuff #35 #131
TackleTak - NR
Penn State Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
PSU OffTEM Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #32 #88
Pass ExplPExl #111 #114
PPAExp #53 #123
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #47 #86
DB HavocDB #25 #81
Temple on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatTEM OffPSU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #46 #62
ExplosiveExp #110 #18
PPAPPA #46 #50
PowerPwr #59 #21
SP+SP+ #68 #22
Pts POPPO #13 #37
HavocHav #52 #63
Temple Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
TEM OffPSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #60 #94
Run ExplRExp #116 #55
PPAExp #82 #75
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #97 #84
Stuff RateStuff #87 #77
TackleTak - NR
Temple Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatTEM OffPSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #37 #36
Pass ExplPExl #87 #26
PPAExp #36 #40
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #67 #34
DB HavocDB #35 #101
Program Comparison
TEM 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Up to Average G5

PSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'26 Profile: Remains CFP Hopefuls

Weather Forecast
Playing in Lincoln Financial Field
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
PSU's OC Taylor Mouser (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Rocco Becht (Tr)20433761%25651697.6
Alex Manske (Tr)4580%28005.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Carson Hansen (Tr)18795065.165
James Peoples (Tr)6134435.649
Rocco Becht (Tr)8711181.325
Quinton Martin Jr.2010305.221
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Brett Eskildsen (Tr)30526517.575
Chase Sowell (Tr)32500215.652
Benjamin Brahmer (Tr)37446612.127
Keith Jones31438414.148

View Penn State's Full Roster

PSU's DC D’Anton Lynn (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Marcus Neal7711133
Kooper Ebel (Tr)778153
Caleb Bacon (Tr)6810343
Jamison Patton (Tr)481003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Caleb Bacon (Tr)6810343
Tony Rojas255221
Yvan Kemajou135231
Marcus Neal7711133
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Daryus Dixson242106
Marcus Neal7711133
Caleb Bacon (Tr)6810343

TEM's OC Tyler Walker (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Hunter Smith6240326.572
Keveun Mason2816716.029
Colin Chase126905.821
Samuel Brown V (Tr)163802.49
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jayce Freeman (Tr)41774818.965
Jovanni Bermudez39501412.838
Peter Clarke30483616.150
Colin Chase40414410.442

View Temple's Full Roster

TEM's DC Brian Smith (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Curly Ordonez698113
Avery Powell541001
Eric Stuart442010
Pooh Lawton232001
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
JaMair Diaz (Tr)141120
Curly Ordonez698113
Russell Sykes134100
Earl Kulp50000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Curly Ordonez698113
Jayvant Brown121001
Avery Powell541001