Trojans Seek First Conference Win Against Jaguars in Sun Belt Showdown
Troy Trojans Seek First Conference Win Against South Alabama Jaguars in Sun Belt Showdown
As the Sun Belt Conference heats up, the Troy Trojans (1-5, 2-4 ATS, 2-4 O/U) are desperate for their first conference victory when they face off against the South Alabama Jaguars (2-4, 2-4 ATS, 2-3-1 O/U) this Tuesday evening. Both teams are coming off road losses to Arkansas State, making this clash a pivotal moment for both squads. Last season, Troy decisively defeated South Alabama 28-10 at home, and they will look to replicate that success.
Troy’s Quest for Redemption
The Troy Trojans find themselves in a challenging position, having only secured one victory this season, which came against Florida A&M, a non-FBS opponent. Their non-conference schedule included a tough matchup against Iowa, and they stumbled in their Sun Belt opener, narrowly losing 13-9 to UL Monroe. This past week, Troy faced Texas State at home, where they fell 38-17 as 14-point underdogs. To date, the Trojans have only managed to cover the spread in two games.
A significant aspect of Troy’s struggles has been their quarterback situation. This season, the Trojans have cycled through three different quarterbacks. Goose Crowder, who has been effective with 542 passing yards and a perfect 5:0 TD-to-INT ratio, is nursing a shoulder injury and is questionable for the game. Last week, Tucker Kilcrease and Matthew Caldwell split duties under center. Kilcrease emerged as a bright spot in the loss to Texas State, amassing 250 passing yards and currently holds a total of 383 passing yards with a 3:0 TD-to-INT ratio. Caldwell has contributed 288 passing yards, along with one touchdown and one interception.
On the ground, Damien Taylor has been a consistent performer, surpassing 100 rushing yards in two games and totaling 399 yards this season. Meanwhile, junior wide receiver Devonte Ross stands out with 555 receiving yards, offering a reliable target for whoever is at quarterback. Despite averaging a respectable 466 total yards per game early in the season, Troy’s offense has struggled to find the end zone, especially in their last two conference games.
Defensively, Troy has shown inconsistencies. While they limited UL Monroe to just 247 total yards and 13 points in their opener, they allowed 467 yards against Texas State, highlighting their vulnerability. The Trojans’ pass defense is relatively strong, ranking 45th nationally, but their rush defense struggles, sitting at 108th. On average, Troy scores only 20.7 points per game, placing them 110th, while they concede 27.8 points, ranking 92nd in the nation.
South Alabama’s Narrow Loss and Offensive Prowess
The South Alabama Jaguars are aiming for a second conference victory after a rollercoaster season. They began with a stunning 48-15 upset over Appalachian State but faced a tough challenge against LSU, losing 42-10. In their latest matchup, the Jaguars suffered a narrow 18-16 defeat against Arkansas State as 2.5-point favorites. They have managed to cover the spread in two games thus far.
Freshman quarterback Gio Lopez has been a revelation for South Alabama, consistently posting impressive numbers. He has surpassed 250 passing yards in three of his five games, including 292 yards in the recent loss. Lopez currently boasts 1,308 passing yards with a solid 2:1 TD-to-INT ratio. The rushing attack is led by fellow freshman Fluff Bothwell, who has recorded over 100 rushing yards in two of his last four games, amassing 406 yards this season. Senior wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett is a significant offensive threat, consistently contributing with at least 60 receiving yards in all but two games, totaling 532 receiving yards this year. As a result, South Alabama’s offense is averaging 466 total yards per game, marking it as their key strength.
Defensively, the Jaguars have faced challenges despite a few standout performances. They struggled against both Ohio and Arkansas State, giving up 411 yards, including 345 passing yards. South Alabama’s pass defense ranks a concerning 132nd nationally, while their rush defense is more respectable, sitting at 60th. On average, the Jaguars score 36.5 points per game, placing them 25th nationally, but they also allow 27.2 points, ranking 90th.
Conclusion
With both teams looking to find their footing in the Sun Belt Conference, this matchup promises to be crucial for their season trajectories. Troy’s offense needs to find its rhythm, particularly in the passing game, while South Alabama will look to build on its offensive strengths and improve its defensive performance. Expect a closely contested game as both teams vie for a much-needed victory.
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