The Really Big Preview: UAB at Temple

UAB needs one win. One win to reach bowl eligibility for the first time since 2022. One win in a place the Blazers have never played — Lincoln Financial Field, where Temple is 1-4 this season and playing its senior day. The Blazers are 2-25 in their last 27 true road games over four seasons. Changing that Saturday would be a huge step forward for this program in the first full season under Coach Alex Mortensen.

1. Game details

Matchup | UAB (5-4, 3-2 American) at Temple (2-7, 1-4 American)

Date | Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026

Kickoff | 1:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. CT

Location | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pa. (HERO Hybrid Grass)

Capacity | 67,594

TV | ESPN+ — Joe Tordy (play-by-play), Patrick Murray (analyst), Jake Starr (sideline)

Radio | WJOX 94.5 FM — David Crane, Bryant Turner, Landrum Roberts

Series | UAB leads 1-0 (UAB 34-24 — Nov. 18, 2023 in Birmingham)

Line: Temple -2.5 (-110) | O/U: 48.5 (ranges 48 to 51.5 by book)

Moneyline: UAB +110 / Temple -130

2. The stakes

UAB controls its own path to a bowl. The Blazers need one win in their final three games — at Temple, UTSA and at North Texas — to reach six victories and bowl eligibility for the first time since the 2022 Bahamas Bowl.

The road record is the problem. UAB is 0-4 away from Protective Stadium this season — losses at Illinois, at Louisiana, at Memphis and at South Florida. Over the last four seasons, the pattern is documented and persistent.

Temple is 2-7, on a four-game losing streak and eliminated from bowl contention. But the Owls erased a 28-0 deficit against Navy last week before losing 42-35. Keeler's program is playing its senior day and has three games left to evaluate personnel for 2027.

The only previous meeting was Nov. 18, 2023 in Birmingham — UAB won 34-24. UAB dominated the ground game 259-55 and scored 17 fourth-quarter points. This is UAB's first football game in Philadelphia.

3. The numbers

122.6 — Passing yards per game allowed by UAB's defense, the best mark in the FBS. All nine opponents this season have been held under 200 passing yards. Temple averages roughly 163 passing yards per game.

27 — Sacks allowed by UAB's offense this season, the most in the American Conference. The offensive line has not graded above average as a unit in Pro Football Focus evaluation all season. Temple has recorded only 10 sacks in nine games.

1-5 — Temple's record in one-score games. K.C. Keeler: "Seventy percent of the games in this league are one-score games. And I gotta figure out what is missing. I don't think it's talent. I really don't." Every prediction model projects this as a one-score game.

5-0 — UAB's record when holding opponents to 20 points or fewer. The Blazers are 0-4 when allowing 21 or more.

4. About UAB

The Blazers are a team split in two. At Protective Stadium: 5-0. On the road: 0-4. The defense has carried the season — the nation's best pass defense, a top-five pass rush by PFF team grade and a secondary anchored by the highest-rated cornerback in the American Conference according to Pro Football Network.

The offense has operated within constraints. Alex Mortensen acknowledged before the Charlotte game that the Blazers are "playing far more conservative than I would like to ever play." The offensive line is the reason — UAB allows pressure on more than four of every 10 dropbacks, and Ryder Burton has absorbed the consequences. His net rushing yards on the season are negative when the league-worst 27 sacks are included. The three-back committee of Rod Robinson II, Bam McReynolds and Ja'Vin Simpkins has been the offense's most productive unit, combining for 1,165 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns — 85 percent of UAB's rushing production.

UAB is 13-1 when scoring 30 or more since joining the American in 2023. The Blazers have scored 30 twice this season (Samford and East Carolina). They have overcome 10-plus-point halftime deficits twice — the first time UAB has done that in a single season since 1999.

5. About Temple

Temple is in year two of the K.C. Keeler era. The record says 2-7. The film, according to Mortensen, says something different: "They're good. Like they're good. I mean, they are. And turn the film on, they have good players, like they really do." He urged anyone evaluating Temple to look past the record: "Don't even look at the record right now. Put the film on... trust what you see a little bit."

The Owls beat South Florida 17-13 earlier in the year — the same Bulls team that beat UAB 30-10 in Week 8. They played Penn State to 3-3 into the second quarter before trailing 10-3 at halftime. They led Toledo by 14 before losing 49-48 in overtime. They came back from 28-0 against Navy.

Keeler has built this roster through the portal — 22 transfer additions this cycle, including both quarterbacks. He also signed 33 players on early signing day last year and is planning a high school-heavy recruiting class to build long-term. But the portal culture has created friction. After the Toledo collapse, Keeler said: "It was a lot whose fault it was. I've never coached a team whose fault it was." He made midseason changes, promoted Henry Baker to interim defensive coordinator and said the last two games have felt different. "That East Carolina game was like, 'Thank God I have my boys back.'"

Temple is the most disciplined team in the American by penalty count — 35 penalties for 295 yards in nine games, the fewest in the conference.

6. Key players to watch

Marlin Dean, UAB edge rusher — 10.5 sacks on the season (tied for first nationally), 13.5 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles (first nationally at 0.56 per game). His 93.1 Pro Football Focus pass-rush grade is elite. Dean's production has already surpassed any UAB individual sack season since 2004 and earned him two American Conference Defensive Player of the Week awards. (Full feature)

Delvon Gulley, UAB cornerback — The highest-rated cornerback in the American Conference per Pro Football Network. Two interceptions, a 77.4 PFF overall grade and a completion rate against below 30 percent. Gulley leads the conference in passes defended per game.

Keveun Mason, Temple running back — 108 carries, 588 yards, 5.4 yards per carry, three touchdowns. His 76.0 PFF grade leads Temple's skill players. Earned American Conference Honorable Mention after rushing for 158 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries against Rhode Island.

Darrell Sweeting, UAB cornerback — Returns to Lincoln Financial Field to face his former program. Sweeting began his career at Temple in 2023 before transferring to Marshall and then to UAB.

7. Injury report / availability

Temple:

• Ajani Sheppard (QB): Questionable. Did not play at Navy. Played a limited role at East Carolina the week before. Still listed QB1 on the depth chart. Keeler: "I think he'll be ready to go. Don't ever bet against a Johnny. He's just one tough guy."
• Peter Clarke (TE): Out — leg injury. Clarke has 11 career receiving touchdowns as a tight end — a Temple record at the position, surpassing Randy Grossman's previous mark of 10. His absence removes Temple's most reliable red zone target.
• Eric Stuart (LB): Questionable — flu.
• Curly Ordonez (LB): Questionable — flu. Tied for first in the American in total tackles (84).
• Tyree Alualu (LB): Questionable. Grades 91.1 on PFF in limited snaps — Temple's most efficient defender.
• Kevin Hornbeak Jr. (DT): Returning from a two-week suspension. Keeler: "Ready to play on senior day." His 78.1 PFF grade leads Temple's defense among regulars.
• Hunter Smith (RB): Questionable. Had the flu, missed the Navy game.
• Luke Watson (OL), Kevin Terry (OL), Brandon Enarusai (DL): All questionable.
• Devontae Ward-Grant (CB): Out — knee. Kenedy Uzoma (WR): Out.
• Nine different offensive linemen have started this season. Grayson Mains has moved from center to guard to right tackle as injuries dictated.
• Three players were in concussion protocol after the physical Navy game.

UAB:

• Adam Lepkowski (C): Has not played since being injured in the Memphis game. Mortensen mentioned offensive linemen being "beat up" this week, naming Lepkowski and Payton Kirkland specifically.
• Nigel Tate (DT): Out — Achilles.
• Kyrik Mason (OL): Questionable.
• Antonio Ferguson (TE): Questionable.
• Jaylen Elder (WR): Out.
• Colby Archie (LB): Out.
• Mykale Hrabowski (DB): Questionable.

8. When UAB has the ball

Temple's defense allows 408.8 yards per game (10th in the American) and 28.3 points per game. The red zone has been the biggest problem — opponents have scored on 32 of 37 red zone possessions (86.5 percent), including 26 touchdowns. Navy converted all five of its red zone trips into touchdowns last week.

UAB's run game should find room. Temple allows a rushing success rate above 50 percent — opponents succeed on roughly half of their run attempts. Robinson (78.0 PFF grade), McReynolds (75.3) and Simpkins (70.8) give UAB three backs grading well above average. Navy ran 68 times for 317 yards against Temple last week. The Blazers don't run a triple-option, but the blueprint for attacking this defense on the ground is clear.

The pass protection dynamic is the curiosity. UAB's offensive line allows pressure at a rate that ranks among the worst 20 teams nationally. But Temple generates pressure at one of the lowest rates in the country. Burton's development has been a season-long arc — 121-of-223 for 1,474 yards and six touchdowns. If the protection holds, the receivers are there. CJ Smith averages 19.0 yards per reception (first in the American, 18th nationally) and Ty Mims caught a 56-yard touchdown against Navy.

The red zone is where the offense has both improved and stalled. UAB has scored on 22 of 26 red zone possessions (84.6 percent) — but only 10 of those resulted in touchdowns. Twelve were field goals. Jonah Delange has made 21 of 25 field goals, leading the American and ranking second nationally in made field goals per game. Delange has been both the safety net and the symptom.

9. When Temple has the ball

The question starts at quarterback. If Ajani Sheppard returns, Temple gets back a 76.4 PFF grade, a passer who has thrown for 1,245 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions and a rushing threat (48 yards on 10 carries against Army). If Jaxon Smolik starts, the grade drops to 47.6. Smolik threw three touchdowns against Navy but went 12-of-26.

Regardless of who starts, UAB's pass rush is the defining matchup. Temple allows pressure on 38.2 percent of dropbacks. UAB generates pressure at the same rate. That collision — a dominant rush meeting a porous protection — should produce pressure on nearly every extended dropback.

Temple's best path may be to avoid extended dropbacks entirely. The Owls' ground game ranks among the top 40 nationally in rushing success rate, and Temple's offensive line returns four starters. Jackson Pruitt (69.6 PFF grade, zero penalties in nine games) has been steady at right guard.

With Clarke out, the receiving corps shifts. Colin Chase (24 receptions, 381 yards, two touchdowns) and Jayce Freeman (21 receptions, 316 yards, three touchdowns) are both fifth-year receivers. JoJo Bermudez (19 receptions, 298 yards, three touchdowns) creates chunk plays from the slot. Joey Schlaffer and Ryder Kusch are the remaining tight end options — neither has graded above 58.0 on PFF.

Against UAB's coverage — Gulley on the outside, Jo'Tavion Pierce's 83.5 PFF grade at safety with a 90.5 run defense mark, and Jeremiah Jordan's 83.7 run defense and 84.2 tackling grades at the other safety spot — Temple's passing game will need to attack specific windows rather than rely on coverage breakdowns.

10. UAB wins if

The run game establishes early. If UAB can run effectively on first and second down, it opens the play-action shots to Smith and Mims that Mortensen has said he wants to dial up more aggressively. Temple's front seven may be diminished — Ordonez and Stuart were sick this week, Alualu is questionable and the defensive line has been shuffled by injuries and suspension.

Dean and the front disrupt the timing. Temple's offense is at its best when the quarterback gets the ball out quickly to Mason in the flat and Bermudez underneath. If UAB's pass rush — led by Dean, complemented by Tylin Jackson's 16 pressures from the interior — collapses the pocket before those routes develop, Temple is forced into the kinds of extended plays where UAB's coverage unit thrives.

UAB protects the football. Against South Florida, Burton lost two fumbles that were returned for touchdowns — 14 points off turnovers that had nothing to do with the Bulls' offense. The Blazers had to overcome four turnovers last Saturday to beat Charlotte. Temple is 0-5 since 2024 when throwing at least one interception. Discipline and ball security on both sidelines could decide a game the market projects as a one-score outcome.

11. Temple wins if

Sheppard is healthy and mobile. The PFF grade gap between Temple's two quarterbacks is the single biggest variable in this game. A healthy Sheppard gives Temple a quarterback who can extend plays, create with his legs and deliver the ball accurately to the perimeter. If he can't go, Smolik's limitations compress the playbook.

Mason and the ground game control the clock. Temple's rushing efficiency gives the Owls a path to sustain drives and limit UAB's possessions. If Temple can stay on schedule with the run, the Blazers' pass rush has fewer opportunities to take over the game.

Special teams flip the field. Bermudez's 24.6-yard punt return average includes a 78-yard touchdown against Navy. UAB punter Oliver Straw averages 46.5 yards per punt (ninth nationally) and the defense forces three-and-outs at one of the highest rates in the American — 23 on the season. That combination means Temple will likely get multiple return opportunities. A single return that flips the field could change the trajectory of a low-scoring game.

The illness clears by Saturday. Stuart, Ordonez and Smith were all dealing with the flu. Alualu is questionable. Clarke is out. If Temple's front seven is diminished on senior day, the Owls lose the one area where they can compete physically with UAB's ground game.

12. X factor

Clarke's absence and Temple's red zone.

Peter Clarke was Temple's most reliable target in the red zone — 11 career receiving touchdowns as a tight end, a Temple record at the position. His leg injury leaves a gap that Schlaffer and Kusch have not filled at a comparable level this season. UAB's defense has held opponents to a 38.5 percent touchdown rate in the red zone (10 touchdowns on 26 trips) — the Blazers force field goals. Without Clarke, Temple's red zone offense loses the player most equipped to convert in tight spaces. In a game the market projects inside a field goal, red zone efficiency could be the margin.

13. Coach speak

Alex Mortensen, UAB, on Temple: "They're good. Like they're good. I mean, they are. And turn the film on, they have good players, like they really do." And later: "Don't even look at the record right now. Put the film on... trust what you see a little bit."

K.C. Keeler, Temple: "Defensively they got a couple savages. One guy's got 10 sacks or something, and like 12 quarterback hurries or tackles for loss. And then they have a safety who's really a good player."

Mortensen on bowl eligibility: "I think it'd be very significant. It would be really positive to be able to accomplish that. It could hopefully build momentum going forward." But he tempered expectations: "In terms of program goals that we wanna long-term, we wanna go way beyond that. And so it'd be one step, but we wanna accomplish far more than that over the long time period."

Keeler on the season: "This is probably one of the most, if not the most disappointing season." And on finishing: "We made a commitment to play all 12. I made a commitment to coach all 12."

14. The predictions

Source | SU Pick | Spread Pick | O/U Pick

YouWager | Temple | — | —

Doc Sports (Guy Bruhn) | — | UAB +2.5 | —

Covers.com (trends) | — | — | Under (heavy)

BetMGM (model) | Temple (51.1%) | Temple (50.1%) | —

SportsBettingDime | UAB (23.4-22.6) | UAB +2.5 | Under 49.5

Bet Better (Marcus Cole) | Temple | Temple -2.5 | Under 48

Capper's Picks (AI model) | UAB (24-21) | — | —

Bleacher Report | Temple (24-23) | — | —

SportsJaw | UAB (24-21) | Pass | Pass

CFB Home | UAB (23-20) | — | —

Baker Stats | UAB (28-24) | — | —

Diehard Sports Network | UAB (26-21) | — | —

Line movement and market signals: The total has moved significantly. It opened at 51.5 and has fallen to 48.5 at most books, with BetOnline and Bovada at 48. UAB games have gone Under in eight of nine this season and 10 of the last 12. Every source that took a position on the total picked Under. The spread opened at Temple -3.5 and has tightened to -2.5 at most books, with BetOnline's juice favoring Temple (-117) and others closer to a pick'em. The moneyline has moved toward UAB — Temple opened at -194 and now sits at -130 to -140 depending on the book. UAB ranges from +109 to +120.

Consensus: Split straight up — seven sources take UAB, four take Temple, one passes. On the spread, two take UAB with the points, one takes Temple to cover and the rest pass. The Under is unanimous where stated. SportsJaw's consensus tracker shows 58 percent of estimated picks on the Over, but every analytical source that published a position took the Under. Temple is 6-0-1 ATS in its last seven games after allowing 40 or more points. UAB is 8-1 to the Under. The market reads this as a tight game decided by a field goal or less — most projected scores land between 43 and 47 total points, with Baker Stats the outlier at 52.

15. Diehard bottom line

At this stage of the season, you are what you are. UAB is a team with an outstanding defense and an offense that has pieces but can't sustain blocks long enough to maximize them. UAB has also been a team that, for whatever reason, hasn't gotten it done on the road. That will change Saturday against a Temple team that hasn't defended its home field in 2026. Like UAB, the Owls are what they are — a team that has been close but not quite all season with a 1-5 record in one-score games. The difference here could come down to the leg of UAB's Jonah Delange. UAB 26, Temple 21.