One of the recurring themes about K.C. Keeler’s first two years at Temple in discussing American Conference play is that his view is that there are so many “50/50” games.

By that, Keeler doesn’t mean Temple is as good as every team it plays but things like turnovers and clean play can make the difference in any given game.

East Carolina head coach Blake Harrell took offense to Keeler’s characterization of last year’s game–going in–as a “50/50” game.

He said it provided motivation for the Pirates in a 45-14 win at Temple because he indicated that it “disrespected” his team.

One, Keeler meant no such disrespect because he calls every conference game a 50/50 job. That was never an ECU-centric comment.

Two, who is ECU to say they are so much better than Temple than they are offended that the Owls don’t think their chances are 20/80 instead of 50/50?

In a league devoid of “Bulletin Board” material this might be the closest thing to it.

Harrell turned out to be right last year as ECU, coming off a bye week, beat a tired Temple team, 45-14.

Now the tables are turned for Saturday’s (3 p.m., ESPN+) game at ECU.

This time, Temple is the energized team coming off a bye week and ECU is the “tired” team coming off consecutive losses to Memphis and UAB.

We will see if it makes a difference by 6 p.m. Saturday night.

What we do know is that this will be a different Temple team than took the field in a 38-31 home loss to Charlotte two weeks ago. Keeler was so upset and “embarrassed” was the word he used, that he demoted the defensive coordinator to safeties coach and he promoted the DB coach to DC. He also dismissed the DL coach and at least one defensive lineman was kicked off the team.

Heads rolled. That kind of accountability hasn’t happened here since Matt Rhule and Al Golden.

What does that mean?

Offensively, Temple should be just fine. Keeler has said that in Sam Brown V he has a “good Big 10 back” but one he only had for Toledo and Army so Brown being on the field with potential superstar quarterback Ajani Sheppard should mean that side of the ball will be just fine.

The old saying, though, is “defense wins championships” and it will certainly win this game.

What we’ve seen too much from the Temple defense this year is reacting. What we haven’t seen is attacking.

By that I mean, Brian L. Smith’s defensive philosophy was to look at the offense and react to what they were doing.

Keeler’s philosophy has always been to attack, hit the quarterback, stop the run, force havoc with fumbles and interceptions. That’s what Baker thinks, too.

We’ll see if that works.

What we know is that the other thing did not.

We also know most of the dudes for ECU who boatraced Temple are gone to the P4 and the dudes who got boatraced for Temple are back so this is a true 50/50 game whether Harrell likes it or not.

Late Saturday Night: ECU-Temple Analysis