2011 Troy Football Predictions
Written by Steve Janus
The Troy Trojans capped off their 2010 season with a 48-21 win over Ohio in the New Orleans Bowl to finish the year 8-5. Troy tied Florida International with a 6-2 record in the Sun Belt Conference, but did lose to the Golden Panthers 52-35 at home. It was the fifth straight year that head coach Larry Blakeney led the Trojans to at least a share of the Sun Belt Title, and there’s a good chance he will keep that streak alive in 2011.Troy will have to overcome the loss of star wide out Jerrel Jernigan, but still has 13 starters back and what looks like the best defense in the conference. Here is a closer look at what the Trojans will send to the field on both sides of the ball, plus my prediction on where I see them finishing the season in the Sun Belt.
Offense:
The Trojans appear to have found a gem in sophomore quarterback Corey Robinson. As a freshman, Robinson completed nearly 64% of his passes for 2,726 yards with 28 touchdowns to 15 interceptions. No question you have to be excited about what this kid did last year, but we will find out just how good he is this season. Robinson not only loses his best threat in Jernigan, but he also loses Jason Bruce and Tebiarus Gill, who combined for 99 catches for 1,191 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The top two receiving threats back are senior Chip Reeves and sophomore Jamel Johnson. Reeves caught 30 passes for 515 yards and five touchdowns, while Johnson had 23 catches for 258 yards and three scores. Reeves and Johnson will be joined by junior Corey Johnson and senior Brett Moncrief in the starting lineup. If Robinson is as good as advertised, these four should put up some big numbers this season.
In 2010 the Trojans used a trio of backs to get the job done on the ground. Shawn Southward led the way with 623 yards and seven touchdowns, while DuJuan Harris added 603 yards and six touchdowns and Chris Anderson chipped in 388 yards and three scores. Harris has departed, leaving Southward and Anderson as the two primary backs for 2011. Added to the mix will be Mississippi State transfer Montrell Conner.
On the offensive line Troy welcomes back both starters on the left side in senior tackle James Brown and junior guard Kyle Wilborn. The other three spots are all up for grabs, which is a bit of a concern heading into this season. Junior college transfer Andrew Phillips looks like he will step in at center, while sophomore guard Jacob Creech and redshirt freshman tackle Terrence Jones are the leading candidates to take over on the right side.
Defense:
The expectations for the defense are what is keeping the Trojans near the top in the Sun Belt heading into this season. Last year Troy had just two starters back on this side of the ball, but actually allowed fewer yards than they did in 2009. This year the have eight starters back, and should really make some big improvements.
On the defensive line they should have quite a duo at defensive tackle with seniors Sidell Corley and Emmanuel Dudley, but the player to watch out for is junior defensive end Jonathan Massaquoi, who led the way with 13.5 sacks in 2010 and was third on the team with 76 tackles. The only weak spot on this unit will be senior defensive end John Robles, but he should benefit from playing with the talent he has around him.
At linebacker the Trojans return one of the best in the conference in senior middle linebacker xavier Lamb, who had a team best 91 tackles last year. Lamb will be joined by juniors Kanorris Davis and Brandon Bryan. This trio should feed off the play of the front four and really make it hard for opposing teams to run the football.
Things also look good in the secondary for the Trojans. as they have four corners who are capable of starting. Senior Jimmie Anderson, junior KeJuan Phillips, and sophomore Chris Pickett all have starting experience, and they add in junior college transfer David Whitmore, who is expected to start right away. Troy also brings back starting strong safety Brynden Trawick and will add in Michigan State transfer, Barry Valcin at free safety.
2011 Prediction: 2nd Sun Belt – It was hard to keep the Trojans out of the top spot, but I believe the FIU Golden Panthers are right there with them talent wise and get Troy at home this season. What makes this team scary is there are few teams in the Sun Belt who are capable of getting it done on the defensive side of the ball. The concern I have comes on the offensive side of the ball, as I think Robinson will struggle to match his numbers from last year.
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