A method for controlling the temperature of a workpiece in a hot strip mill includes calculating temperature changes of the strip at each mill stand location by determining changes in workpiece deformation resistance and correlating the changes in deformation resistance to changes in temperature. Error corrections are made for changes in rolling speed. The calculated temperature change at each mill stand is used to control water sprays positioned adjacent the mill stands. A temperature sensor is placed downstream of the last mill stand to act as a check on the desired delivery temperature of the workpiece. Temperature discrepancies from the temperature sensor are fed upstream to modify temperature corrections.