On paper, Oklahoma’s trip to Philadelphia looks like a classic trap game. Fresh off a program-defining 24-13 win over Michigan, the Sooners travel east to face a Temple team most fans outside the American Athletic Conference still think of as a bottom-dweller. The game will be played at Lincoln Financial Field—the NFL home of the Philadelphia Eagles—giving the matchup a neutral-site flavor and a bigger-stage feel.
But this isn’t the same Temple program Oklahoma crushed 51-3 last season. In fact, there’s a strong case to be made that the Owls are the most intriguing non-conference opponent on the Sooners’ entire 2025 schedule. And while Oklahoma is rightfully favored by more than three touchdowns, dismissing Temple as just another early-season tune-up would be a mistake.
A New Temple Identity
The Owls’ transformation starts at the top. New head coach K.C. Keeler arrived from Sam Houston State with a résumé of winning everywhere he’s been. “K.C. Keeler brought confidence and an identity with him from Sam Houston State, having won at every school he’s had stops at along his 31-year coaching career,” said Devin Jackson of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “I think he made strong hires in bringing in Brian L Smith as defensive coordinator, who’s from the Philly area (Chester) and OC Tyler Walker, who brings a creative running game with him from Montana State. Temple leans heavily on the run game on offense and a bend but don’t break mentality on defense. The team looks as confident as I’ve seen them in years on the field and that can be traced back to Keeler.”
Temple’s confidence has shown up in the numbers. The Owls are 2-0, outscoring UMass and Howard by a combined 97-17. They’re second nationally in third-down conversion rate and 13th in scoring offense. It’s a far cry from the 13-42 mark Temple posted between 2020 and 2024.
Quarterback Play That Changes the Equation
The Owls’ early success also reflects a quarterback leap. Evan Simon, once viewed as a game-manager, is tied for third nationally in passing touchdowns and sits ninth in completion percentage. Jackson credits the scheme and Simon’s development: “I think the scheme has helped Simon make quick decisions and early in games, you see Tyler Walker giving him easy completions and easy reads to settle in. The scheme sets Simon up for some manufactured shot plays but there’s a different confidence that he has played with, making him more willing to take shots downfield in one on one coverage. He’s had a security blanket in TE Peter Clarke and has done a nice job spreading the ball around to his other playmakers. Simon also isn’t afraid to take off and run if nothing is open downfield.”
Simon’s efficiency has unlocked a deep cast of skill players. Tight end Peter Clarke leads the team in yards and scores, while Jay Ducker—a Keeler transfer from Sam Houston—paces the backfield at 7.4 yards per carry. Temple’s offensive line has been so dominant that the entire unit appeared at last week’s postgame press conference after paving the way for 329 rushing yards.
The Defensive Side of the Ball
Temple hasn’t surrendered a second-half point all season, making smart halftime adjustments under Smith. Edge rusher Cam’Ron Stewart already has three sacks, and linebacker Eric Stuart has been active sideline to sideline. Temple’s revamped secondary features corner Ben Osueke and Missouri State transfer safety Avery Powell. Jackson expects the Owls to use a spy on OU quarterback John Mateer: “It’ll be tough to keep Mateer contained because of his athleticism and ability to make plays on the move, but having a player account for his running ability seems like the best option on Saturday.”
Temple’s task is steep. The Owls haven’t beaten a ranked opponent since 2019 and haven’t generated consistent attendance at Lincoln Financial Field in years. But a 2-0 start and the chance to host No. 13 Oklahoma have injected new energy into the program.
Oklahoma’s New Look
If Temple is the AAC’s surprise riser, Oklahoma is the established powerhouse trying to take the next step under Brent Venables. The Sooners have shifted from the wide-open offenses of the Bob Stoops and Lincoln Riley eras to a defense-first identity. Through two weeks, OU has allowed only one touchdown—a 75-yard Michigan run. Opponents are completing just 43.2 percent of their passes, best in the nation.
Up front, All-SEC edge R Mason Thomas headlines a defensive line that pressured Michigan into nine completions on 24 attempts. Linebackers Kip Lewis and Oklahoma State transfer Kendal Daniels add speed and versatility, while safeties Peyton Bowen and Robert Spears-Jennings form one of the SEC’s more seasoned back-end tandems. The only missing piece so far has been turnovers—OU is minus-four in turnover margin—but the unit is generating plenty of stops.
Offensively, Venables handed the keys to new coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who brought quarterback John Mateer with him from Washington State. Mateer is averaging 331 passing yards and two touchdowns per game, plus 98 rushing yards and three scores. The downside: he’s also Oklahoma’s leading rusher by a large margin, and the running back committee of Jovantae Barnes and Tory Blaylock hasn’t yet produced a consistent threat. OU is averaging just 3.4 yards per rush without Mateer’s scrambles.
Where the Sooners have surged is in the passing game. Deion Burks, Keontez Lewis, and tight end Jaren Kanak have all topped 155 receiving yards already—numbers that dwarf last season’s production, through two weeks. The question Saturday is whether Oklahoma can establish enough run balance to keep Temple from pinning its ears back on Mateer.
Why This Game Matters
With Auburn opening SEC play next week, Oklahoma can’t afford a slip-up. Last week’s victory over Michigan positioned the Sooners for a possible College Football Playoff run. Dropping a road game to an unranked Temple team would torpedo that momentum.
Temple, meanwhile, has nothing to lose. A competitive showing—or even an upset—would instantly validate Keeler’s rebuild and energize a long-suffering fan base. Even without a sell-out crowd, Lincoln Financial Field should feel different with a top-15 opponent in town.
Opinion: The Sooners Should Win—But It Might Not Be Pretty
Oklahoma is the more talented team, and Mateer’s ability to extend drives with his legs gives the Sooners a reliable closing tool if the game gets tight. The defense is too disciplined to get gashed repeatedly, and Temple hasn’t faced a unit anywhere near this caliber.
Still, the matchup has trap-game written all over it. Temple’s third-down efficiency, multiple running backs, and quick-hitting passing game are precisely the formula for keeping Mateer on the sideline and shrinking the number of possessions. Add in Oklahoma’s still-shaky run game and a morning kickoff in an NFL stadium, and you have the ingredients for a frustrating, drawn-out afternoon if the Sooners aren’t sharp.
My best guess here is that Oklahoma pulls away late behind its defense and Mateer’s playmaking, but Temple hangs around long enough to make fans in crimson a little nervous. It’s not crazy to think that this game probably will be—competitive for a half or more, but ultimately a showcase of the Sooners’ superior roster depth and defensive speed.
If the Sooners can get their running backs going and win the turnover margin, they could post a much larger number. If Temple controls tempo, converts third downs, and steals a possession or two, the Owls could stay within the spread deep into the fourth quarter. Either way, Saturday in Philadelphia looks a lot more interesting than most people expected when the schedule first came out.
Matt Hofeld is a college football analyst and contributor covering the SEC. Follow him for more Oklahoma and conference-wide analysis throughout the 2025 season.
Follow us on Instagram