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Temple retained every eligible starter and every position coach from K.C. Keeler's first season, giving the Owls unusual roster and staff continuity entering the opener.

New quarterbacks Jaxon Smolik and Ajani Sheppard are expected to split duties, leaving quarterback rotation and passing efficiency as Temple's clearest offensive uncertainty.

Temple's defensive line has seven newcomers but could rotate 10 players against a Rhode Island offensive line replacing three or four starters, with starting guard Damon McMillian seen on crutches after the Rams' opener.

The matchup is not a routine FCS spot for Temple's offense: Rhode Island returns an experienced, multiple-front defense that ranked in the FCS top 25 in total, scoring, and red-zone defense last season.