Troy Trojans 2016 NCAA Football Preview
TROY TROJANS
Sun Belt Conference
2015 Record – 4-8
ATS – 7-5
2016 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating Rank
Conference #5
2015 Recap
As an outsider, our view is that the 2015 season was not as bad as the 4-8 record might indicate. They had three unwinnable non-conference road games (NC State, Wisconsin, Mississippi St) and gave Appalachian St all they could handle in a 3-OT loss. HC Neal Brown starts his 2nd season at Troy with some optimism.
2016 Preview
OFFENSE
The Trojans are set at QB and offensive line. That is always the best place to start. Junior QB Brandon Silvers has over twenty career starts under his belt and is only a junior. He looks like an excellent pilot to build the offense around. The offensive only allowed 18 sacks last season but needs to do a better job in the running game. 3/5 starters return from last season and they have four projected starters each weighing-in at 300+ pounds.
We have a significant concern about the apparent lack of big-play ability at RB and WR. The Trojans were ranked 10th (2nd last) in the conference last season in total offense and dead last in time of possession. To top it off, they lose their leading rusher and top two receivers from the 2015 squad. You need to score in the Sun Belt (#HotTake) and Silvers is going to need some help.
DEFENSE
DC Vic Koenning did a fine job in his first season at Troy as they allowed less than 30 points per game for the first time since 2009. Incidentally, that 9-win campaign was their best in the past ten seasons.
Seven starters return to the Sun Belt’s #3 ranked defense and we think they are going to good once again. The entire starting linebacker unit is back in 2016, and overall, there is a lot of experienced junior and senior talent on hand. The pass rush should be pretty good again this season. They just need to find a way to pick off more than 6 passes in 2016 to really make a jump forward on defense.
SPECIAL TEAMS
A lot of changes here. The Trojans will need to find some new return men and losing Teddy Ruben from the punt return team is a big hole to fill. P Ryan Kay will take over the PK duties and he had a fine season in 2014.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 5.0
MEGALOCKS says:
After a week one tune-up against Austin Peay, it gets real in a big way with road games at Clemson and Southern Miss in back-to-back weeks. Things settle down a bit after that, and overall, the schedule holds promise to support a bowl-eligible season.
Overall, we give the TROJANS a 6.0 ATS Value Rating (Above Average) this season. QB and defense. They have our attention. Any further endorsement than that will have to come after watching them negotiate the first 4-5 games of the schedule. Slightly intrigued but need to see some weapons emerge on offense.
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