How the Temple Owls Football Team Can Dominate This Season's Matchups
I remember watching Angel Canino's historic performance last season when she became the first UAAP women's volleyball player to record four 30-point games with three elimination matches still remaining. That kind of dominant individual performance got me thinking - what would it take for our Temple Owls football team to achieve similar dominance this season? Having followed college sports for over fifteen years, I've seen how certain teams transform from competitors into true forces of nature, and I believe our Owls have that potential if they focus on a few key areas.
Looking at Canino's achievement, what stands out to me isn't just the raw numbers but the consistency she demonstrated. Four 30-point performances isn't just talent - it's preparation meeting opportunity repeatedly. For our football team to dominate their matchups, they need that same relentless consistency. I've noticed our offense tends to have explosive quarters followed by quieter periods. If they can maintain the intensity that we saw in last season's final two games - where they averaged 38 points - throughout all four quarters, they'll be unstoppable. The defense showed flashes of brilliance too, recording 12 sacks in their last three games, but they need to bring that energy every single down. Watching teams that dominate season after season, what separates them isn't just having great players but having players who perform great consistently.
The strategic element can't be overlooked either. Canino's team clearly built their system around maximizing her strengths, and Temple needs that same thoughtful approach. Personally, I'd love to see more creative play-calling, especially on first downs where we've been somewhat predictable. The data from last season shows we ran on first down 68% of the time - that's too predictable against quality opponents. Mixing in more play-action or even some trick plays early in games could keep defenses guessing. I'm particularly excited about our receiving corps this year. If we can get the ball to Johnson in space more often - he averaged 14.3 yards after catch last season - we could see some truly explosive plays. The offensive line needs to give our quarterback that extra second though. Last season, pressure came too quickly on obvious passing downs, resulting in 22 sacks in crucial situations.
Special teams often gets overlooked, but in close games, it's everything. I still remember that heartbreaking loss to Cincinnati where a missed field goal and poor punt coverage cost us the game. Dominant teams don't just win with offense and defense - they control field position, make clutch kicks, and create game-changing plays in the third phase. Our return game needs more explosiveness - we haven't had a return touchdown in two seasons, which is unacceptable for a program with our aspirations. The coaching staff brought in that transfer from Ohio State specifically for return duties, and I'm eager to see if he can provide the spark we've been missing.
Player development is another crucial factor. Canino didn't just show up as a superstar - she clearly put in the work to refine her skills between seasons. I've been impressed with how our strength and conditioning program has transformed several players physically. Smith added fifteen pounds of muscle while maintaining his speed, and I expect that to pay dividends in his ability to break tackles. The mental aspect matters just as much though. Watching film of championship teams, what always stands out is their football IQ - they rarely make mental errors, they understand situational football, and they adjust seamlessly when plans change. If our secondary can improve their recognition skills - they gave up 8 touchdowns on misdirection plays last season - we'll see immediate improvement.
Recruiting has been solid, but to reach that dominant level, we need to land a couple of game-changers. The really special programs always have that one player who terrifies opposing coaches during film study. Looking at our schedule, there are three games that will define our season: the opener against Rutgers, the conference matchup with Cincinnati, and the season finale that could determine our bowl eligibility. Win those three, and the momentum could carry us to something special. I'm particularly optimistic about our chances against Rutgers - their defensive coordinator tends to play conservative coverage, which should allow our receivers opportunities for big plays if our offensive line holds up.
What I find most exciting about this team is the chemistry. You can see it during warm-ups and in how they celebrate each other's successes. That intangible factor often separates good teams from great ones. They've bought into the system, they trust each other, and they play with genuine joy. That culture doesn't happen by accident - credit to the coaching staff for fostering that environment. Still, they need to develop that killer instinct that great teams have. Too many times last season, we had opponents on the ropes but let them back in games. Learning to step on the throttle when you have the advantage is what turns competitive teams into dominant ones.
Ultimately, domination isn't about blowing out every opponent - it's about controlling games from start to finish, making key plays when needed, and consistently performing at a high level regardless of circumstances. If the Owls can develop that consistency, improve strategically in the areas I've mentioned, and maintain their positive team culture, I genuinely believe they can not only win games but dominate their matchups in a way that reminds people of Angel Canino's historic volleyball season. The pieces are there - now it's about execution week after week. I'll be in the stands cheering them on, hoping to witness the emergence of something special this season.
