For Trojan fans, 2014 couldn't have started any worse; getting blown out by nearly 40 points to their arch in-state rivals the Blazers was embarrassing-add on top the trouncing Troy took the following week to Duke and exasperated Troy fans were asking themselves "Can it get any worse?"
It did.
The shocking loss at home to recent FCS jump starts the Abilene Christian Wildcats was the final nail in the coffin for long time head coach Larry Blakeney. Blakeney had led the program from it's humble existence in Division II all the way to top of of the Sunbelt Conference. It only seemed like yesterday when the men of Troy ruled the 'Belt--reeling off five consecutive conference titles from 2006 to 2010, adding two New Orleans Bowl championship trophy's to boot along with two more additional post appearances (including nearly knocking off then #23 ranked Central Michigan in the GMAC Bowl).
But alas after that 2010 season, it seemed like Blakeney was losing control of the program (perhaps losing his coaching swagger as well). In 2011, Troy struggled to achieve three wins and though they showed slight improvements the following two seasons (going 5-7 in '12 and 6-6 in '13), 2014 was a HUGE step back. It was such a drastic falling that Coach Blakeney announced his retirement midway through the season and for the first time since 1990, Troy was looking for a new head man.
Enter Neal Brown.
Brown was no stranger to the Troy community; from 2006 through 2009 he served many capacities at Troy, including QB and WR coach and eventually getting promoted as Offensive coordinator (at the time he became the youngest coordinator in all FBS football). He certainly left a lasting impression, with his offense among the most prolific in all the SBC during his time at Troy. He eventually left for Texas Tech for three seasons, where in his first season alone he had an immediate impact, helping to lead the Red Raiders as the #15 best offense in the country, including 6th in passing.
After spending the last two seasons at Kentucky, Troy came calling to Brown to help revitalize and rejuvenate the stale program. It's a bold move for the program and though its Brown's first attempt at head coaching, he has shown a solid, successful track record wherever he has gone. Make no mistake, the young hotshot coach will have his work cut out for him in his first season at the helm.
SCHEDULE:
| Saturday Sep. 5 |  | at NC State Wolfpack Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC | 5:00 p.m. CT ESPN3 | Buy Tickets |
| Saturday Sep. 12 |  | Charleston Southern Buccaneers Veterans Memorial Stadium, Troy, AL | TBA | --- |
| Saturday Sep. 19 |  | at Wisconsin Badgers Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI | TBA | Buy Tickets |
| Saturday Sep. 26 | --- | Open Date | --- | --- |
| Saturday Oct. 3 |  | South Alabama Jaguars Veterans Memorial Stadium, Troy, AL | TBA | --- |
| Saturday Oct. 10 |  | at Mississippi State Bulldogs Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS | TBA | Buy Tickets |
| Saturday Oct. 17 |  | Idaho Vandals (HC) Veterans Memorial Stadium, Troy, AL | TBA | --- |
| Saturday Oct. 24 |  | at New Mexico State Aggies Aggie Memorial Stadium, Las Cruces, NM | TBA | --- |
| Saturday Oct. 31 |  | at Appalachian State Mountaineers Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone, NC | TBA | --- |
| Saturday Nov. 7 |  | ULM Warhawks Veterans Memorial Stadium, Troy, AL | TBA | --- |
| Saturday Nov. 14 |  | Georgia Southern Eagles Veterans Memorial Stadium, Troy, AL | TBA | --- |
| Saturday Nov. 21 | --- | Open Date | --- | --- |
| Friday Nov. 27 |  | at Georgia State Panthers Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA | TBA | --- |
| Saturday Dec. 5 |  | at Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns Cajun Field, Lafayette, LA |
Simply put, the OOC schedule is BRUTAL. Wisconsin is the reigning Big Ten Western Divisional champs; despite losing A LOT from their surprising 2014 run, the Bulldogs still have dynamic QB Dak Prescott and Josh Robinson returning (which will surely give the young Troy D a handful) and NC State looks to build off their 8-5 season which was capped off with a bowl victory over UCF.
The conference slate is actually not a bad line up; Missing the surging Texas State Bobcats and always competitive Arkansas State Red Wolves is a huge plus. The worst road game will be to Lafayette (which isn't until the very end of the season) and the additional three conference road games are against Sunbelt foes that went a combined 8-24 in conference play last season.
OUTLOOK/PREDICTIONS:
Make no mistake this could very easily be another rocky season for Troy. On top of implementing a new offensive scheme that the players must learn in a relatively short amount of time, the defense loses six starters from a squad that gave up 36 points per game in 2014.
Troy more than likely goes 1-3 in the non-conference portion of their schedule and despite getting ULM, South Alabama and current conference champs Georgia Southern at home I think it would be phenomenal that they win one of those three. However, the Idaho, NMSU and Georgia State games are all very winnable and hopefully the offense has gelled in time for their season finale match-up against the Ragin Cajuns to give them a race for their money. Brown was a great get for Troy and in due time I have no doubt he'll have the Trojans contending for SBC titles, but not this season--this season is all about laying the foundation for the future.
DREAM SEASON: Troy knocks off Idaho, NMSU and Georgia State and can score an additional win at home against either ULM or USA to cap off a 4-8 season.
NIGHTMARE SEASON: The Wisconsin, NC State and Mississippi State games takes a huge toll on the Troy depth chart and the Trojans struggle throughout the remaining season to have a healthy squad as well win more than two games total.
No comments:
Post a Comment