Temple’s football team has been projected to place third in the American Athletic Conference’s East Division for the upcoming 2015 season, according to a poll of sports media members.

The results were announced at The American’s annual football media day, held Aug. 4, in Newport, Rhode Island. The event was emceed by ESPN SportsCenter anchor and Temple alumnus Kevin Negandhi, SMC ’98, HON ’15.

The University of Cincinnati Bearcats and the University of Central Florida Golden Knights were selected to finish ahead of the Owls in the six-team East Division. This will be the first season in which the conference will play with 12 teams and two divisions.

According to a news release issued by The American, “The Owls could be poised for a breakout season under third-year head coach Matt Rhule, who has 19 returning starters, including 10 from a defense that ranked fourth nationally in scoring last season (17.5 ppg). LB Tyler Matakevich enters his senior year with 355 career tackles and could become just the seventh player in FBS history to register 100 tackles in a season four times. Temple finished 6-6 last season, improving by four wins from the previous year.”

The Owls open their season on Sept. 5 against Penn State at Lincoln Financial Field. Tickets for that game and any Temple home game can be purchased by calling the Temple Ticket Sales Office at 215-204-8499 or visiting OwlsTix.com.

—Preston Moretz and Erica Brooke Fajge