The Troy Trojans won their second consecutive conference title last year behind the strong play of departed quarterback Levi Brown. They were defeated in their bowl game once again in overtime to end their season on a disappointing note. The Trojans return only nine starters from that squad and lost offensive coordinator Neal Brown to Texas Tech. Middle Tennessee State is the preseason favorite to win the conference, but don't be shocked if Troy rebuilds quickly and makes a strong challenge. View the full conference breakdown in our 2010 Sun Belt football predictions article.
Troy moved the ball with ease in 2009, averaging an astonishing 337 yards/game through the air and another 149 on the ground. Those numbers are expected to drop off with the loss of Brown at quarterback. Six starters do return on offense though and the majority of skills players are back. WR Jerrel Jernigan was a 1st team all conference performer as a junior leading the team in receptions, yards and finishing third on the team in rushing. Troy loves to find different ways to get Jernigan the ball as he is extremely good in space. QB Jamie Hampton will likely get the nod to be the starting quarterback this season. The mobile signal caller has had issues with injuries throughout his career, but when healthy is very gifted. Tebiarus Gill is another talented wide receiver that had a team high six touchdown receptions. The Trojans have depth at running back, utilizing two players to carry the load in 09'. Shawn Southward rushed for 602 yards and a team high 12 touchdowns, while DuJuan Harris added 583 yards and another 10 scores. Their workload could increase with the addition of a run first quarterback and both should come close to gaining 1000 yards if healthy. The offensive line returns three starters and is led by 346 pound LT James Brown. They should do much more running block this season which usually pleases the big boys up front.
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Defensively, Troy allowed nearly 30 points/game but still managed to win nine of their thirteen games. Defending the pass was a major issue, giving up 287 yards/game and opponents connected on close to 62% of their attempts. Corner Bryan Willis did his part last year as a true freshman. He had 73 tackles, 12 pass break-ups and four interceptions that was good enough to earn a 2nd team all-conference selection. Both starting safeties from 2009 graduated but Willard Ross and Barry Valcin will move in as starters after seeing a considerable amount of action in the two deep. The defensive line is going to look completely different with no returning starters. They added a couple players from the juco ranks and are relying on Miami transfer Antonio Harper to become the main pass rusher off the edge. He recorded three sacks in Troy's spring game. The linebackers are a veteran group, but lost the #1 and #2 tacklers that were all-conference selections. Bear Woods and Boris Lee comb ined for 28 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and 270 total tackles. Their special teams unit should be solid with K Michael Taylor returning after connecting on 11-14 field goals last season. Jerrel Jernigan will handle the kickoff return duties and could return punts also.
Troy has never backed down from accepting an invitation from power conference teams to play during the non-conference schedule. They faced Florida last year and add Oklahoma State and South Carolina to the mix in 2010. Their season will begin on Sept. 4th with a rematch vs. Bowling Green (lost 31-14 last year). The Sun Belt schedule looks manageable, but they do have to play Middle Tennessee State on the road. This might be a rebuilding year for the Trojans, but I still think they reach the 7 win mark.
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