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Kickoff: November 26th, 3:00 pm CST
Location: Bobcat Stadium, San Marcos, TX
Stream: ESPN 3
Radio: AM1300/AM930/89.9 FM 94.7 FM WTBF (Troy)
Series Record: 5-1 Troy
Betting Line: Troy -27, O/U 59
Last Meeting: 42-28 Troy (2013)
The 2016 FBS season is winding down. Rivalry games are opening up old hatred and conference games are becoming even more crucial as championships and bowl bids are on the line.
The Troy Trojans (8-2, 5-1 Sun Belt) from Troy, Alabama are right in the thick of things. A 35-3 stomping at the hands of Arkansas State put the Trojans at a disadvantage but are still in the hunt in the Sun Belt. On the other side are the Texas State Bobcats (2-8, 0-6 Sun Belt). The San Marcos, Texas squad is in a rebuilding year and it shows as they are riding a six game losing streak but looking for some late season optimism going into 2017.
Texas State’s Strengths
The offense has shown flashes (albeit microscopic) of brilliance by proving in multiple games they can move the ball at will and score. But problematic for the ‘Cats is their ability to lose their composure and abandon the game plan with a totally different style of play once the second quarter starts.
Senior quarterback Tyler Jones has been the backbone of the offense with 11 touchdown passes and 5 rushing scores but has compiled 1 touchdown to 7 interceptions in the last five games and hasn’t scored a rushing touchdown since October 15th against Louisiana-Monroe.
Bryan London is fast becoming Texas State’s 2016 MVP as he is the number 3 leading tackler in the nation. He’s been a ball hawk all season with 112 tackles (66 solo), recording double-digit stops in 9 of their 11 games this season for a very young defensive squad.
As the season has worn on first year head coach Everett Withers has been vocal about playing the young players to get a grasp on who will be playing in 2017. Quarterbacks Connor White and Eddie Printz have gotten some second half snaps in the last two games showing a few flares of ability while junior running back Tyler Siudzinski should get a few more snaps to help spark the running game.
What Wins The Game
For Texas State it’s been the same ol’ situation all year. They have a young and undersized offensive line that has had Tyler Jones scrambling and the run game struggling all year (dead last in the nation in rushing and rushing average). Troy boasts a similar 3-4 defensive scheme and to keep them on their toes the Bobcats will have to utilize their hurry up offense, protect the ball and have more aggression on the ground to give their defense a chance to rest.
And speaking of defense, they also have to get some takeaways and give their offense some supplemental support. They play hard and have the ability to make a competitive game and sure enough we are guaranteed to see that on Saturday.
Troy Trojans
The Troy Trojans are taking on conference foe the Texas State Bobcats this Saturday. The Trojans’ last game was against the Red Wolves of Arkansas State resulting in a heartbreaking 35-3 loss.
Troy’s offense seemed nowhere to be found Thursday night, coming away with a total of 262 yards of offense. The running game for the Trojans was only good for 55 yards with all of those yards coming from Jordan Chunn. Brandon Silvers went 20 for 39 for 207 yards and two interceptions. Troy’s offense hurt the Trojans, as they could not get any momentum.
The Trojan defense played well to a certain extent. Troy’s defense contained the Red Wolves to seven points in the first half. The problems came when the offense was not clicking and put the defense in jeopardy because of the long periods on the field. Regardless of the setback the Trojans are still a team to fear.
Troy’s Strengths
Troy’s defense has been the centerfold for this Trojan team all year. The Trojans are tied for fourth in total interceptions with 16. Blace Brown for Troy has intercepted the ball six times for the Trojans are is tied for third in the FBS.
The Trojans have weapons on offense whether it is the offensive line, the passing attack, or the running game. Antonio Garcia is one of the key offensive linemen that will open up holes for Chunn and protect the pocket for Silvers. Chunn has carried the ball 221 times for 1,121 yards with 10 touchdowns this season. Silvers has passed the ball 222 for 357 for 2,509 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Look for Troy’s offense to open up this Saturday against Texas State.
What wins the game
The defense for the Trojans can secure a victory by forcing turnovers. Brown could have a big impact for this Trojan defense. The offensive line for the Trojans is something to look out for if Troy wants to win the game. This o-line has only given up five sacks all year. The big men up front will impact this game in a huge way to help push Troy’s offense forward.