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Temple used Jaxon Smolik for 42 snaps and Ajani Sheppard for 15 against Penn State. PFF graded Smolik 42.0 as a passer and Sheppard 84.4, but Sheppard's work came mostly in the fourth quarter. The smaller, later sample supports monitoring the quarterback competition, not declaring a starter change or equivalent performance conditions.
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Temple cornerback Denzel Chavis is questionable with an injury, while the preview projects Adrian Laing and Asa Locks to start and Nakeel Lawrence in reserve. Reported coverage grades range from Laing's 81.9 to Locks' 54.1, Chavis' 57.3 and Lawrence's 52.7, highlighting uneven early secondary play. The lineup is projected, not an official availability announcement.
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Temple averaged 5.8 rushing yards per attempt against Rhode Island and 5.7 against Penn State. Toledo held Michigan State to 3.8 and Central Connecticut State to 3.0. That makes Temple's productive rushing attack against Toledo's early run defense a key matchup, with different opponents and only two games behind each set of figures.
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Toledo's John Alan Richter has 448 passing yards, five touchdowns and one interception through two games and has carried only three times, fitting a pocket-passing profile. Mercer transfer Adjatay Dabbs leads the receivers with eight catches for 135 yards and three touchdowns; 70.8% of his alignment has been outside, with some slot usage.
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Toledo returned only 25% of its defensive production, and new coach Mike Jacobs brought 14 players from Mercer. The secondary earned an 86.3 coverage grade while holding CCSU to 66 passing yards, but Michigan State's Alessio Milivojevic completed 26 of 34 for 247 yards. The opponent contrast limits conclusions from the strong CCSU result.