It all comes down to today for Troy

TROY — Troy has dominated the Sun Belt for most of the year. It has played the power teams on its schedule close, and even gave Big 12 squad Oklahoma State a beatdown on national television earlier this season.

All of that means nothing, though, if the Trojans (8-3, 6-0 Sun Belt) can’t beat Florida Atlantic (6-5, 5-1) today. An FAU win gives the Owls a share of the conference title with Troy, but they would be going to the New Orleans Bowl.

A Troy win gives the Trojans the outright title and a second-straight trip to New Orleans, where it would face Memphis.

A loss likely means the end of the season, even for a team with eight wins as the Sun Belt has just one tie-in and other bowls with openings would likely take a 7-win squad from a bigger conference and a bigger fan base.

“We don’t want to go down a road of looking at what-ifs,” left tackle Chris Jamison said.

But the Trojans have remained focused all season long, handling every Sun Belt team in its path.

After a tough three-game stretch to start the year, Troy won at UL-Lafayette 48-31. After hearing all about how its defense was a weak spot, the Trojans held UL-Monroe to just seven points in a 24-7 win the next week.

Troy also squashed the Arkansas State curse, winning up there 27-0. Combine that with easy wins over Middle Tennessee, Florida International and North Texas and the Trojans are unbeaten in conference play.

“Just look at that man over there,” said Troy linebacker Marcus Richardson Monday as he pointed to his head coach. “Larry Blakeney. He won’t let us (lose focus). He’s an extremely focused coach. He’ll make sure that if we’re not focused at the end of practice, we’ll start practice over.”

On the other side is an upstart Florida Atlantic program who has overcome low expectations by Sun Belt coaches to clinch at least a second-place finish in the league.

FAU was picked seventh overall, but is in its position today thanks to come-from-behind victories over UL-Lafayette, North Texas and Arkansas State. Quarterback Rusty Smith has thrown for 3,061 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Head coach Howard Schnellenberger said the key will be slowing down Troy’s offensive attack.

“(Haugabook) is going to make some yards and complete some passes,” Schnellenberger said. “If we keep their guys in front of us and make them work it down the field, there’s a greater chance we can force a turnover.”