Lacking depth, Temple seeks competitive edge

Finding a competitive edge is a high priority as Temple prepares for its first season as a Big East member since 2004.

"How do we make ourselves different? We talked a lot about that in there," Owls coach Steve Addazio said Saturday.

Returning just eight starters, Temple is expected to have lack-of-depth issues.

"All of the things that we can do don't take talent and we can do them all – tremendous physical condition, mental toughness, great assignment knowledge, attention to detail," Addazio said.

Those things don't require players to be faster, bigger or stronger than their opponents.

"They just require a little bit more mental toughness," he said," and we control that."

The Owls are picked by the media to finish last in the eight-team conference.