COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Temple enters with a balanced offense led by Evan Simon’s 2025 production, as the Owls threw for 2,369 yards and ran for 1,769, while JoJo Bermudez, Kajiya Hollawayne, and Peter Clarke gave the passing game multiple usable targets. The defense was less stable, but Temple still showed enough to handle a lower-tier opponent at home if it keeps the game from turning into a track meet. Rhode Island’s 2025 offense was dangerous by FCS standards. Devin Farrell passed for 3,746 yards and 24 touchdowns, Antwain Littleton Jr. rushed for 1,248 yards and 14 scores, and Marquis Buchanan led a deep receiving group. The Rams also finished with 31.3 points per game and 438 yards per game, but the step up to Temple’s size, speed, and depth is the key concern. Rhode Island’s defense was strong for its level, allowing 19.6 points and 319.5 yards per game, yet that unit now faces a more physical FBS attack than it saw most weeks in the CAA.
Temple should control the game from the second quarter on and win by multiple scores, with Rhode Island showing enough offensive competence to avoid a complete collapse. The projected final score is Temple 34, Rhode Island 20, which points to a Temple cover and a slight lean to the over if the Rams can finish a few drives.
