By Drew Champlin
I keep missing the perfect weeks, but that’s the fun in trying. Hopefully I’ll be up in the air while you guys are reading this. Last week I was 6-1, missing the MTSU-Arkansas State game, which ASU won. On the year, I’m 26-4.
Arkansas State at Memphis - 1:00 p.m. - ASU really needs to win this to get the record vs. CUSA teams this year back on track. I think they do. Arkansas State 31-17
Louisiana-Lafayette at Kansas State - 2:35 p.m. - Kansas State is certainly beatable, but I think they’ll just flat out outscore the Cajuns. Kansas State 45-31
North Texas at Rice (KTXA) - 4:00 p.m. - Any other team but North Texas would have a chance in this one. Rice 48-24
Troy at Oklahoma State - 6:00 p.m. - Well, the big one. I think Troy will score a lot, but I’m not sold on the defense’s ability to not give up big plays. Oklahoma State 35-24.
Florida International at Toledo - 6:00 p.m. - FIU was admirable last week against South Florida. Toledo’s not great, but should win at home. Toledo 28-17
WKU at Kentucky - 6:00 p.m. - I like Kentucky 34-10
TUESDAY September 30
* Florida Atlantic at Middle Tennessee (ESPN2) - 7:00 p.m. - At this point, I have a hard time seeing MTSU just fold its season away at home, but FAU has more talent. Maybe the time off recharges the Owls’ batteries. FAU 27-17
Posted by Drew Champlin on 09/26 at 08:22 AM
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By Drew Champlin
Good morning. Here’s what I can dig up at this hour.
DOTHAN EAGLE: Injury lets other players have a chance
TULSA WORLD: OSU Notebook
DAILY OKLAHOMAN: Welcome to my world: Troy LB Bear Woods
DAILY OKLAHOMAN: OSU will try to erase bad memory of last year’s game. (That actually ran Tuesday, but I just now noticed it.
Another thing I’ll comment on before my flight - a lot of Cowboys are up in arms over Brandon Lang’s comments. He said exactly what was written. But it wasn’t in a “I’m going to willingly commit a malicious personal foul and end three OSU football players’ careers” way, but in a “I want to dominate you on the football field” kind of way. Brandon is one of the more pleasant people I’ve encountered on four years covering Troy athletics, but he wasn’t thrilled with the way his season ended last year.I had a couple of e-mails over it and just wanted to share my thoughts.
Posted by Drew Champlin on 09/26 at 03:03 AM
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By Drew Champlin
We’ll go at 8 p.m. CST. The first 10 people who are in (that I recognize) that chat wil be directed on through in more of a “chat-like” scenario. The rest, I’ll just have to manually approve the comments, but usually I can do that quick unless I get bombarded. Regardless, we’ll chat/answer questions for an hour tonight.
Posted by Drew Champlin on 09/25 at 12:43 PM
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By Drew Champlin
Thanks to Scott Wright of the Daily Oklahoman for sharing his thoughts.
1. How are OSU players preparing for this game due to what happened last year?
They’re trying to ignore talk of last year’s game, but that’s the most popular topic around here, as it is in Troy, I’m sure. But the players certainly remember the feeling of that loss last season and don’t want to feel it again, especially on their home turf.
2. What differences in Zac Robinson should we see a year later, since he made his first start vs. Troy?
Robinson is calmer now, and this is his team. He used the off-season to take ownership and become the undisputed leader. That was missing when the Cowboys visited Troy last year. He hasn’t been asked to run much yet this year, but might take off a few times Saturday. And he’s a more confident passer, especially on the deep balls.
3. What about the defense? What are the strong and weak points?
The defense has better speed and depth than a year ago, but so far, it’s hard to say if they’ve gotten better overall. That speed is the strong point. The weakness is the pass rush. Opponents have thrown 105 passes in the first three games and Oklahoma State has two sacks.
4. What’s a good local eatery in Stillwater if a Troy fan wanted to pick a taste of the town?
There are two popular choices. Eskimo Joe’s, which is your typical college-town bar with a pretty good menu. Or Hideaway, a local pizza place that started here and expanded across the state. I recommend the Big Country, named for former Oklahoma State and NBA basketball player Bryant Reeves. It has four different meats and two kinds of cheese.
5. If you’re comfortable, make a prediction
In our paper, I predicted Oklahoma State to win 38-28. If I was a gambling man, I’d be taking Troy and the points Saturday.
Posted by Drew Champlin on 09/25 at 11:03 AM
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By Drew Champlin
First off, look below for Troy’s latest commitment. Also, we’ll host a chat/Q and A tonight at 8 p.m. I will post software later. Want twitter updates? Click the link on the right below my Feb. 2005 mug.
DOTHAN EAGLE: OSU offense to provide challenge for Trojans
DOTHAN EAGLE: Troy notebook: Lang looking for redemption
DOTHAN EAGLE: The Huddle: Troy edition - Jon Johnson and I talk Troy football.
From the
Sooner Cowboy State
DAILY OKLAHOMAN: Football notebook - sounds like OSU only expecting 48,000 for the game.
DAILY OKLAHOMAN: T. Boone’s losing money
DAILY OKLAHOMAN: OSU already thinking bowls
TULSA WORLD: OSU blog
TULSA WORLD: OSU punter waits for moment
TULSA WORLD: OSU Notebook
Posted by Drew Champlin on 09/24 at 10:37 PM
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