The Troy Trojans and the Ohio Bobcats clash in Mobile, Alabama in the Dollar General Bowl on Friday, December 23rd. The game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET and will be televised on the ESPN Network for your viewing entertainment. Heading into this match-up, Las Vegas has the Trojans as -4 point favorites and the contest’s total rests at 49.
The last time Ohio took the gridiron, the Bobcats had Western Michigan on the ropes in the MAC title game. Until the fourth quarter, it looked like they might ruin the Broncos chance at an undefeated season before losing, 29-23. Coach Frank Solich will have this scrappy team prepared and ready for Troy.
Ohio (8-5):
Ohio’s offense leaves a lot to be desired, but quarterback Greg Windham is a solid player who also can move out of the pocket and pick up yardage with his legs if he needs to. Since taking over this season, Windham has completed 137 passes for over 1,500 yards with 12 touchdowns and five picks.
The Bobcats rely on four tail backs to handle the work-load out of the backfield. The foursome has totaled over 300 carries for over 1,700 yards and 13 scores. Quarterback Greg Windham has pitched in his share via the ground. He has another 85 carries for 382 yards and three scores.
Sebastian Smith and Jordan Reid are the go-to wide outs when either quarterback is tossing the ball around on game day. Together, they have just under 93 catches for over 1,300 yards and seven touchdown nabs. Running back Papi White also contributes, posting 37 catches for 608 yards and five scores.
Defensively, the Bobcats allow the fewest yards per play in the MAC at 5.18, and will give a tough challenge to an explosive Troy offense. Defensive end Tarrel Basham will do his best to break through that line. He led the conference with 10.5 sacks and his 14.5 tackles for loss ranked third.
Troy (9-3):
The Trojans went on a seven-game winning streak after a six-point loss to Playoff-qualifier Clemson. As a result, they earned the Sun Belt’s first-ever AP Top 25 ranking. Troy then turned around and lost by 32 points to the Red Wolves. The Trojans still finished 9-3, despite also losing the regular-season finale to Georgia Southern.
Troy’s 438.6 yards per game led the Sun Belt Conference, and quarterback Brandon Silvers capitalized on an offensive line that allowed only seven sacks, the fewest in the country. For the year, Silvers racked up 2,951 yards with 22 scores and nine interceptions.
Running back Jordan Chunn has been the go-to guy out of the back field for the whole season. The work-horse has amassed over 1,200 yards on over 250 carries and has a team-high 13 scores to show for his efforts. Chunn had 42 plays of at least 10 yards from scrimmage and also was one of two backs in the conference to average 100 yards per game.
Two receivers stand-out in the Trojan’s passing attack when Brandon Silvers flings it around on game day. Deondre Douglas and Emanuel Thompson have combined for just over 100 catches for just under 1,400 yards and 11 scores. Corner backs can’t key on just one of these wide outs, as both of them produce almost equally.
Troy’s defense is the most consistent in the Sun Belt Conference, starting with the front seven. Linemen Baron Poole, Rashad Dillard and Junior Gnonkonde are as good as the Sun Belt has to offer. In fact, Troy leads the league in run defense, sacks and takeaways. Their run stop is ranked 18th in the country, giving in to only 123.1 yards a game.
Trends and Notes:
The Bobcats are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games.
The Trojans are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
The Over is 8-0-1 in the Bobcats last 9 vs. S-Belt.
The Over is 5-0 in the Trojans last 5 bowl games.
Game Prediction:
Both Ohio and Troy like to control the clock and rely on their defenses to keep the game within reach. Put the same type of philosophy on the field and you have the making for a grudge-match.
Troy sports the more explosive offense in this game, but the Bobcats have proven they can stay up with a high scoring offense when they too Western Michigan down to the wire. Ohio’s quarterback has been improving each and every game, so they also will find ways to move the ball down field through the air and the ground.
Any way you cut, the 49 point line that Las Vegas set as the total is too much. Expect both defenses to play solid football, and if each team can limit the turnovers, I expect this contest’s total to be lower than that. Take the under 49 and watch a slug-fest in the Dollar General bowl.
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