Friday, November 22, 2024
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The Other Side of the Wall: The South Alabama Preview

Thomas Gleaton

South Alabama Jaguars Quick Facts

  • 2018 Record: 3-9
  • Conference: Sun Belt (since 2009)
  • Head coach: Steve Campbell (2nd season, 4-14)
  • 3-4 record against Troy all-time
  • Last meeting: 2018, Troy W 38-17
  • Location: Mobile, AL

South Alabama’s Offense

Players to Watch:
  • QB Cephus Johnson
  • RB Tra Minter
  • TE Khameron Taylor

Okay, you got me. The Trojans gave up “only” 278 yards passing to Missouri.

I’m still including the wide receivers on here.

The Wide Receivers:
  • Kawaan Baker
  • Jalen Tolbert
  • Davyn Flenord

Cephus Johnson is comparable to Akron’s Kato Nelson. A solid dual-threat quarterback on a very mediocre team, whether it’s because of him or despite him.

The difference is this offense is run-first instead of pass-first, and the two teams are nearly comparable as opposites statistically. One is bottom-10 in rushing offense while the other hovers between 50 and 75… the teams swap places when you look at the passing numbers.

That has something to do with Tra Minter. He’s one of the best backs in the conference (No. 6 in yards at press time) and the Jags’ lead guy when it comes to special teams.

No other fanbases know more about this offense than South Alabama and Troy. Kenny Edenfield’s spread attack uses wideouts like Kawaan Baker in sweeps, so this rushing attack has its options.

The one thing Edenfield never had at Troy was a true tight end, one thing South has actually produced well (Gerald Everett, Wes Saxton, Braedon Bowman) and the next up is Khameron Taylor. The 6-4, 250 is the perfect cross between a lineman and a wideout.

Look for him to be open in the seam, or as a lead blocker.

The Jags are only averaging 149 passing yards a game and 170 on the ground. This is not a productive offense, but Troy’s defense has some obvious weak points.

The Jaguar Defense

Players to Watch:
  • LB Nick Mobley
  • DE Jeffery Whatley
  • DL Rocel McWilliams
  • LB A.J. Deshazor
  • CB Jalen Thompson
  • CB Travis Reed
  • S Keith Gallman

Let’s get the bad news out of the way. There are a lot of talented people on this defense.

Nick Mobley leads this squad with 55 tackles, Jeffery Whatley is the team’s go-to pass rusher, leading in sacks (2.5) and tackles for loss (5.5) and Rocel McWilliams is right behind him in both categories (2,4).

A.J. DeShazor, Keith Gallman and Jalen Thompson all have interceptions and pass breakups, while Travis Reed leads the team in the latter category (4).

Opponents are averaging under 30 points per game, and they’re 31-of-81 on third down against the Jags. The Jags are No. 35 in the country in passing yards allowed.

Now to the good news.

This defense has given up 200 yards per game BOTH through the air AND on the ground. Opponents are scoring 29 points a game.

The Jags are No. 106 in rush defense. They gave up 142 yards rushing to both ULM and Jackson State.

Memphis, UAB and ULM all threw for more than 200 yards… the Blazers torched South for 313 yards.

South’s defense may be better than Troy’s… but not by much.

Breakdown

The Jaguars have battled some solid teams like UAB and Memphis, so it’s safe to look at what Troy’s offense will do compared the teams South has played.

This passing attack is going to put up more numbers against South (even if Kaleb is out), but I expect DK to have another huge game.

As for the Trojan defense, this is the chance to take a breath in the middle of a month-long offensive fury. The Jags will pick up more passing yards than they should, but with the spread offense I expect Troy’s front seven to be sufficient against this rushing attack.

Opponents have six more red zone visits than the Jags do, and twice as many field goal attempts. Take away penalty first downs and opponents have moved the chains 110 times to the Jags’ 85.

South is literally one-for-three on third down, and 3-of-10 on fourth down.

Unfortunately the turnover battle favors the Jags, but South has at least one INT and one fumble lost for each game this year. If the Trojans can force turnovers, the game won’t be close.

Conclusion

The road team’s win streak is a great talking point considering the success of the Neal Brown era, but the only real fluke in that run was the 2017 offensive implosion.

That streak is coming to an end this week.

Prediction: 35-17 Troy