Troy Trojans 2026 College Football Preview
Posted June 9, 2026
2025 Recap
Record – 8-6
ATS – 9-5
That was quite the turnaround season for the Trojans after finishing 4–8 in 2024. Troy dropped a pair of early contests to Clemson and Memphis — understandable given the competition — and then went on an absolute HEATER. The Trojans fought their way all the way to the Sun Belt Championship Game, where they gave mighty James Madison all they could handle before finally succumbing 31–14.
A bowl loss to close out the year was a bummer, but 8–6 with a conference‑title‑game appearance is a very encouraging sign heading into year three of the Gerad Parker era.
Troy Trojans 2026 Outlook
OFFENSE
2025 By The Numbers (Sun Belt):
- Scoring: 23.5 PPG (#11 Sun Belt)
- Total Offense: 307.2 YPG (#14 Sun Belt — dead last)
- Rushing: 98.0 YPG (#14 Sun Belt — dead last)
- Passing: 209.2 YPG (#11 Sun Belt)
- Sacks Allowed: 59 (#14 Sun Belt — dead last)
Those offensive numbers are historically bad — dead last in the Sun Belt in total offense, rushing, and sacks allowed. Allowing 59 sacks is an absurdly high total and is COMICAL when you consider that was the worst mark in the FBS, and the next most‑pathetic team (Missouri St) allowed 52.
New OC Adam Austin arrives from Tarleton St — the highest‑scoring team in FCS last season (42 PPG) — and is installing a more explosive spread system. The news gets better when you consider he has two experienced QBs to work with. Our boy GOOSE Crowder has all‑conference upside when healthy, but the problem is keeping him on the field, as he’s missed over a dozen games over the past two seasons due to injuries. Fellow senior Tucker Kilcrease stepped in admirably and went 5–2 as a starter while taking the majority of snaps in 2025.
The RB situation got a significant upgrade with the addition of JUCO All‑American Gavin Griffin, who rushed for 1,168 yards and 22 (!) TDs last season at East Mississippi CC while earning MACCC North Division Offensive Player of the Year honors. Send us a note in the CHAT if you were at those ceremonies. He headlines a backfield that also includes Noreel White — the former Ole Miss signee (EM CC LY) who’s being deployed primarily at WR but brings big‑play ability wherever he lines up. Griffin’s production should help address what was a pathetic rushing attack last year.
The wide receiver room is essentially a total rebuild, with fewer than 10 career receptions returning from last year’s group. MOJO Dortch is the only WR with meaningful experience, and he’s coming off a season‑ending injury. The room has size and athleticism but remains largely unproven, and that could throw a WRENCH into the plans of the new OC.
Up front, the offensive line gets a significant lift with the return of LT Elijah Prather, whose sophomore season ended at midseason due to injury. Prather may shift inside given the addition of tackle Darion Rivers (6‑6, 320) from NC St. There are a few talented holdovers coming back from injury, and the Trojans did well in the portal, so we expect the big boys to play much better in 2026. Cutting that 59‑sack number down dramatically is the clear priority for this group.
DEFENSE
2025 By The Numbers (Sun Belt):
- Scoring Defense: 23.9 PPG (#3 Sun Belt)
- Total Defense: 373.0 YPG (#3 Sun Belt)
- Rush Defense: 176.8 YPG (#10 Sun Belt)
- Pass Defense: 196.2 YPG (#3 Sun Belt)
- Sacks: 37 (#3 Sun Belt)
Those numbers are impressive — top three in the Sun Belt in scoring defense, total defense, pass defense, and sacks. The run defense (#10) is the one clear area needing improvement.
The defense is clearly the identity of this football team heading into year three under Gerad Parker. BANDIT Donnie Smith has turned into a pass‑rushing star (11 sacks LY!) who can also drop into coverage when needed. The Trojans added multiple BEEFY transfer DTs, which will help them stuff the run, and overall we expect better run defense this year.
There’s a complete reload needed at LB given the departure of all three starters, including leading tackler Jordan Stringer. Troy will need a small handful of transfers to step up, such as former Boston College LB Bryce Steele, but there’s no doubt the middle of the stop unit could be a problem area. And yup, we’ve got more changes on the horizon, as the secondary also has plenty of new faces. Veteran safety Justin Powe (#3 tackles) is a good piece to build around, but at least a few of the new DBs will have to shine for the secondary to be a force. Keep your eye on guys like safety Marcus Goree (Vols) and CB Jordan Turner, a productive JUCO specimen.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Here’s a name you need to know — punter Evan Crenshaw is an ABSOLUTE WEAPON. All he did was garner 1st‑Team All‑American honors (!) and average 45.7 yards per punt (42.6 net). Unfortunately, they’ll need to find a new PK and primary return men. Stay tuned.
Schedule Analysis
Overall — The Trojans will almost certainly enter Sun Belt play at 2–2 or 3–1 — a nasty road trip to Missouri is the land mine in the non‑conference slate. Troy opens conference action at home vs Southern Miss off a bye and then heads to Louisiana on 11 days rest to do battle with the Cajuns. Those two games will probably set the tone for the rest of the season. The East draw is tough — a road trip to JMU is almost certainly a loss — and the regular‑season finale at Arkansas St could have West‑division title implications.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot — at James Madison (Oct 29)
The Trojans head to Harrisonburg on just five days’ rest — that’s a BRUTAL scheduling situation going into arguably the toughest road environment in the Sun Belt. And this comes right before an important home game against divisional foe Louisiana Tech.
Season Win Total
Market consensus – June 9
Over 6.5 -150
Under 6.5 +120
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Under
This looks like a 6–6 or 7–5 type squad, with more downside risk than upside. We’re not sure if we’ll get to the window, but the under at plus money is the way we lean right now.
Note – Our official list of season win total investments will be posted in the blog section of the website.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Located in the small town of Troy, Alabama (population ~19,000), the Trojans football program has won EIGHT Sun Belt Conference championships, including back‑to‑back titles in 2022 and 2023. That’s the most titles in conference history.
Troy University made history in 2008 when it became the first American university to award a full baccalaureate degree in VIETNAM. What started in 2004 as a partnership program in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City has grown into a legitimate degree‑granting operation. So while most people picture Troy as a small‑town Alabama school, it’s literally handing out diplomas on the other side of the world. WORLDLY WISDOM WEDGIES coming in HOT.
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
The Trojans are a legitimate West‑division contender heading into 2026, but there is a MASSIVE asterisk — the offense needs to go from “disgusting” to at least “functional.” We do think they’ll make strides on that side of the ball, but the WR group is still a mystery box, and the health of Goose Crowder is always uncertain. Thankfully, the Trojans have two capable QBs.
Whilst we expect Troy to be more potent on offense, the defense might take a step back with so many new faces. We like a lot of the additions, but it may take time for the stop unit to gel. It’s also worth noting that the schedule won’t do them any favors, and they might be due for a bit of a wake‑up call this year after winning the West division with a less‑than‑ideal overall statistical profile.
We think the Trojans will make it back to a bowl game but believe they’ll fall a bit short in the competitive FUN BELT West division this year.
Troy! Troy! Troy!