Troy looks to get back on track against Florida A&M

Florida A&M at Troy

Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Troy

When: 6:00 pm

TV: ESPN+

Spread: N/A (yet)

 

Coach speak.

Nobody likes it, especially sports writers. Most fans can recognize it, some don’t though. As a seasonal coach myself, I avoid it at all costs.

However, I am going to sit here and blast you with coach speak because it truly is what Troy needs this week.

The team walking into the Vet this week does not matter. It could be the Tide in Crimson themselves and it still wouldn’t matter.

The only team Neal Brown should, and does, care about right now is the one he commands.

Last week’s loss was abysmal. It’s been harped on enough at this point but its important to dwell on it for a moment.

The Trojans were fundamentally ripped to shreds every which way and it wasn’t all the Broncos doing. Sure, Rypien had a strong outing. But bad angles, missed tackles and just poor preparation was the defense’s ultimate undoing.

On offense, it was just poor execution. Either the moment got to the green backfield or the talent level just isn’t there to compete with Boise State. I’m leaning towards the former.

Troy has taken this week to focus more on itself than prepare for the incoming opponent, as it should.

This is the perfect opportunity for the front seven to find itself against a run-heavy spread that Florida A&M runs.

It’ll be a nice warmup for the Scott Frost offense Troy faces in game three.

The Rattlers dominated the line of scrimmage in its first game against Fort Valley State. FAMU tallied up over 200 rushing yards and held its opponent to -12 yards on the ground.

Its an FCS, but its a quality tune-up chance for the Trojans.

Offensively, Brown should play to the strengths of his quarterbacks. Instead of overthinking things (running Sawyer Smith on fourth and two), expect more options for Kaleb Barker and more downfield passing for Smith.

The two had themselves a solid first game, combining to complete 24 of 34 passes. Very few were downfield, though, and mistakes plagued the offense the entire night.

The Trojans are loaded with talent at the skill positions. Spreading the ball amongst that talent effectively is imperative Saturday.

Find the identity, enforce it.

Prediction

If Troy can find its identity this week and enforce it, things will go smoothly. Despite winning 34-7 over Alabama State last year, Troy struggled mightily on offense in that game. I don’t foresee that happening here. 45-17, Troy

 

*Note

This preview involved almost no numbers. Do not expect this kind of tomfoolery again.