GAMEDAY: Troy at Western Kentucky

November 07, 2009

By Drew Champlin

Troy (6-2, 5-0 Sun Belt) looks to win its 7th straight against winless Western Kentucky (0-8, 0-4) at 4 p.m. today at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in Bowling Green.

The game is not televised, and according to Ricky’s twitter (and mine as I re-tweeted it), the only way you can see the game is if you are here in person, since WKU apparently doesn’t have a web stream (if I find out differently, I’ll let you know).

I’ll send out a bunch of twitter updates during the game. You can follow me @dothaneagletroy

HERE is my game advance. HERE is a story from the BG Daily News on WKU’s banged up defense. HERE is the advancer from the BG Daily News.

KEYS TO THE GAME: For Troy, just keep attacking. Don’t make this year’s game closer than it should be (like last year) by missing out on opportunities in the red zone. Last year, the Trojans missed three field goals and threw an INT into the end zone. About the only thing WKU has going for it is that it’s Homecoming, so the players and fans are probably more fired up. Therefore, the Trojans can’t let WKU get momentum early.

WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN: I don’t think this game will be close like the last two Troy-WKU classics, or like the epic thriller in Trojan Arena last hoops season. WKU’s defense is depleted at the Trojans should have a field day. I’ll call for Troy to snap out of its WKU funk and win big. Troy 52-17

AROUND THE SUN BELT: FAU plays at UAB at 2 p.m. It’s the start of the Jeff Van Camp era at QB, as Rusty Smith is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Call me crazy, but I’m feeling an FAU win here. FAU 27-24

UL-Lafayette at Arkansas State, 2:30 p.m. - This is a big game because of bowl eligibility concerns. ULL has a slight chance to win the league via tiebreaker, but Troy would have to give them some help. I like ASU at home. ASU 30-17

UL-Monroe at North Texas, 3 p.m. - ULM must bounce back from a loss to Troy last week and may have QB issues with injuries. Warhawks usually lose some games they aren’t supposed to lose, though that happens earlier in the year most of the time. Give me North Texas in the upset. UNT 35-31

FIU at Middle Tennessee, 3:30 p.m. - FIU has underperformed this year, while MTSU is inching closer to bowl eligibility. MTSU big. Blue Raiders 45-20

The Huddle: Troy Edition

November 06, 2009

By Whitney McHugh

Friday link

By Drew Champlin

Did you know that OL coach John Schlarman‘s brother-in-law plays for Western Kentucky? Well, freshman linebacker Michael Federspiel is redshirting this year, but it’s still good conversation.

Go HERE to read more about it.

I’ll be on the road all day today, staying in Franklin, Tenn., before going to Bowling Green Saturday. I’ll have more of a game preview up late Friday or early Saturday.

Hope to see you at the game.

Because one thing’s for sure: Troy isn’t North Texas.

November 05, 2009

By Drew Champlin

Had to take this line from Nick’s story in the Bowling Green Daily News, which says Troy’s front 7 might be the best WKU faces all year, including Tennessee. HERE is the story.

For hoops fans, read THIS story on WKU basketball, which, along with North Texas, is probably Troy’s biggest hurdle in fighting for a SBC title this year.

From me, HERE is a story on Troy right guard Steven Adams.

From the other side: WKU

November 04, 2009

By Drew Champlin

A big thanks to Nick Baumgardner of the Bowling Green Daily News for his help. HERE is what Nick wrote for today and HERE is his blog, with his Q and A with me.

1. What has been some of the bigger problems for WKU since its transition to the FBS level?

The biggest problem right now is the overall level of 1-A caliber athletes. WKU had a solid recruiting class this past year and brought in some of the best overall athletes (on paper) that its had in a long, long time. Only problem is, they’re all true freshmen – and most are
redshirting. All the seniors and juniors are still FCS-level players and it shows on the field. And most of those guys had little to no playing experience until right now. So basically its a bunch of inexperienced guys who aren’t athletic or physical enough to
compete at this level fused with a bunch of true and redshirt freshmen that have ability, but zero
experience. Sort of the perfect storm right now.

In addition, the coaching staff has had a lot to learn as well. There aren’t any gimmes at this level anymore, and preparing for every game like its the biggest of the year isn’t something that seems to have come easy. Everyone has a lot to learn and a lot of growing to do it seems.

2. Why do you think WKU has had some degree of success against Troy the last 2 years, and what has to happen for there to be a close game or even a WKU win?

Well the 2007 team was a senior-laden group that was honestly pretty talented. That team was out to prove that WKU was making the right move, and they circled Troy as the biggest game of the year – and they went out and played like it. They had a lot of hard- headed, hard-nosed guys on the defensive side of the ball that hit and made plays, and that seemed to give the Trojans some trouble that day. Last year, it seemed to me that the reason the game was closer than it should have been had more to do with Troy than anything else. Troy seemed a little out of
sync and made some mistakes on offense that allowed WKU to hang around. But I will say this – WKU has made no bones about its feelings toward Troy: that being that the Hilltoppers think the Trojans are the absolute team to beat in this conference. They’ve placed the target on Troy’s back and seem to give a strong effort against them.

3. What kind of problems could QB Kawaun Jakes pose to the Troy defense?

Jakes is a legit dual-threat guy. He can run and can make throws while running. He also stands in the pocket at times and can be pretty accurate. The biggest problem though is his youth. He seems to make two or three glaring mistakes per game – and all of them seem to come at the worst possible times. Against an experienced, good team like Troy – that could spell disaster.

4. Is there optimism for the future? The facilities sure look nice in the media guide.

Right now, the fan base isn’t seeing much optimism. Folks around here are as new to FBS level football as WKU is – meaning that no one seems to really understand what exactly it takes to be successful at this level. Inside the WKU locker room, they’re still claiming to be extremely optimistic – probably because they don’t really have any other choice. But folks aren’t happy right now, and until this team starts winning, that’s not changing anytime soon.

5. Where are some good places to eat for fans staying in Bowling Green?

Well as far as sports bars are concerned, a place called “Double Dogs” is probably your best bet. It’s right off the main interstate exit on 1-65 into Bowling Green. It has a boat load of TVs, pretty big menu and a large selection of beer. Bowling Green’s also got a Buffalo Wild Wings, another popular chain. There’s also a Smokey Bones in town that has some pretty good BBQ, a place called Montana Grille that has pretty much
everything and a Rafferty’s that has some top-line stuff as well. And of course, if you’re feeling nostalgic, there are several Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets throughout Bowling Green proper.

6. How do you see the game going?

I see this thing getting kind of ugly to be honest. I think Troy right now is better than it’s been over the past two years, which is really saying something. WKU’s down in the dumps right now and really searching high and low for answers. It would take almost a superhuman effort from WKU this week to knock off Troy. But, it is homecoming, and stranger things have happened – so I guess you never know. In the end, I call 38-7 Troy.