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Rhule talks with Missouri; Temple up to No. 20 in AP poll

As Temple prepares for Saturday's inaugural American Athletic Conference championship game at Houston, the unknown future of head coach Matt Rhule hangs over the program.

As Temple prepares for Saturday's inaugural American Athletic Conference championship game at Houston, the unknown future of head coach Matt Rhule hangs over the program.

After Saturday's 27-3 win over Connecticut clinched the East Division title and earned the Owls the title-game berth, Rhule wouldn't address a report by footballscoop.com that he was interviewing for Missouri's vacant head coach job Sunday.

A person close to the situation confirmed that Rhule spoke with Missouri officials Sunday morning in Philadelphia.

One Temple source, who did not want to be identified, expressed confidence that Temple could retain Rhule. The source also said it is expected that the situation with Missouri should be resolved fairly soon either way.

According to the person, no other schools are expected to meet with Rhule this week, even though Temple officials understand that other suitors could eventually come Rhule's way.

According to another source, a few schools have made it known that they had some degree of interest in Rhule, but Missouri is the only one to meet with him.

Temple's football team was honored at halftime of Sunday's basketball game against Delaware at the Liacouras Center. Rhule was there with the team as it went to center court.

Also on Sunday, Temple (10-2) earned its highest ranking of the season. The Owls are No. 20 in the Associated Press poll of writers and No. 21 in the USA Today coaches poll. The previous high this season was when Temple was No. 21 in both polls Nov. 8. The Owls were also No. 21 in the AP poll Oct. 25.

Houston (11-1), Temple's opponent Saturday, is ranked No. 17 in the AP poll and No. 18 in the coaches poll.

mnarducci@phillynews.com

@sjnard