probably won't conclude with a Big East title - the Owls return only eight starters from last season's squad.
But there's a reasonable chance the Owls will finish higher than predicted in the preseason media poll - last place.
"There's a time that you have to reload that chamber up a little bit," Addazio said, "and we're in the process. But we still have a lot of talented football players."
Boston College transfer running back Montel Harris, quarterback Chris Coyer, and nose tackle Levi Brown are among the Owls' talented and proven players.
But lack of depth at certain positions could be a big problem. A couple of bumps and bruises could turn a respectable record into a losing one.
The offensive line and wideout positions appear to be concerns.
Perhaps the biggest questions heading into Friday's season-opening Mayor's Cup game against Villanova is the status of junior Deon Miller. The 6-foot-5 wide receiver has been sidelined for most of training camp with a viral illness that could keep him out of the opener.
Miller said he was fine, and the junior was optimistic.
"I'm feeling good right now," Miller said. "I'm getting in the groove of things. I'm working out right now. So I feel good."
Temple will have a huge hole to fill if he does miss time at the start of the season. The Virginia native is the top returning wideout (18 catches, 253 yards, three touchdowns).
Tight end Cody Booth (two catches) and wideouts Ryan Alderman (two) and C.J. Hammond (one) round out an inexperienced receiving corps.
Another wideout, senior Malcolm Eugene, quit the team Monday after struggling during camp. Alderman, a former walk-on, could get the start if Miller is unable to play.
Like the wideouts, the Owls' offensive line is loaded with unproven players.
Fifth-year senior right tackle Martin Wallace is the lone returning starter. Fifth-year senior center Sean Boyle, who was sidelined the last two seasons, is coming off four shoulder surgeries.
Redshirt freshman left tackle Zach Hooks, redshirt junior left guard Jeff Whittingham, and redshirt sophomore right guard Jaimen Newman are the Owls' other starting linemen.
"As we move forward, we are in a footrace to get our younger players [ready to contribute]," Addazio said. "Actually, a lot of true freshmen right now and a lot of true sophomores have to play a lot of football. And that's crazy sometimes.
"But that's great for the future. I'm excited about that."
While that might be true, this season could go a long way in determining how some will view the Owls.
Winning at least six games could validate the 26 wins and two bowl-game appearances Temple had over the last three seasons. Lose six games, and some might say the Owls' recent success was just a result of playing inferior MAC competition.
But Harris doesn't see Temple having a losing season.
The fifth-year senior believes the Owls can win the conference title and earn an Orange Bowl invitation.
"I see the caliber of athletes" at Temple, Harris said. "I think we can compete.
"I was at Boston College, and it was the same type of athletes. So I think we should be able to compete in the Big East."
With 3,735 rushing yards in his career, the 5-foot-9, 207-pound Harris is Boston College's career rushing leader and ranks first among active Football Bowl Subdivision running backs.
He is also B.C.'s career leader in 100-yard games (22) and carries (786), and ranks third in touchdowns (27). The recent graduate is eligible to play immediately at Temple because he is taking a graduate course that is not offered at B.C.
Matt Brown, who backed Bernard Pierce last season and has 18 career touchdowns at Temple, and Harris are expected to give the Owls a formidable running back tandem.
"We are going to run the ball a lot in the early, in the late, and in the middle. No doubt," Addazio said. "That's going to happen."
The coach also has three dependable junior, dual-threat quarterbacks to run his spread offense.
Coyer, last year's New Mexico Bowl offensive MVP, will make his fifth consecutive start Friday. Juice Granger and Penn State transfer Kevin Newsome are backups with similar skills.
"Chris is really starting to become that complete quarterback," Addazio said. "And that's what you want. He can run, and he can throw. He can hurt you on any front."
The Owls defense will be anchored by nose tackle Levi Brown and third-year starting safety Justin Gildea.
Despite being undersize, Temple redshirt freshman middle linebacker Nate D. Smith (6-foot, 230 pounds) is expected to have a big year.
But unlike in the MAC, the Owls can't look at the schedule and pick out three or four guaranteed victories. Every conference game will be a battle.
"How we are going to be able to respond to the week-in, week-out battles are yet to be determined," Addazio said. "If we come off a big win or a disappointing loss, are we going to be able to respond? That's what we are working on."
Contact Keith Pompey at 215-854-2939 or kpompey@phillynews.com, or follow on Twitter @pompeysgridlock. Read his blog, "Owls Inq," at www.philly.com/owlsinq
