Temple moves back into football rankings

Temple not only remained in the race for the East Division title in the American Athletic Conference with Saturday's 31-12 win over visiting Memphis, but the Owls jumped back into the top 25 rankings.

After a week's hiatus, Temple is ranked again in the Associated Press and the USA Today's coaches polls. Temple is 25th in the AP poll of writers and 24th in the coaches poll.

This is the fifth time this season the Owls have appeared in the rankings, a school record. Temple was ranked in both polls for four straight weeks before dropping out after a 44-23 loss at South Florida on Nov. 14.

Temple (9-2, 6-1 AAC) can clinch the East title with a win over Connecticut (6-5, 4-3) on Saturday night at Lincoln Financial Field. It is the regular-season finale for both teams.

If the Owls lose, the only way they could win the division is if USF (7-4, 5-2) loses to Central Florida (0-11, 0-7) on Thursday.

Temple will learn if it moves back into the College Football Playoff rankings on Tuesday.

- Marc Narducci