2012 Summer Football Opponent Preview: Troy

Mississippi State 2012 Football / Game #3: Saturday, September 15 @ Troy 6 p.m.

TV: ESPN3

QUICK FACTS: TROY

• Location: Troy, Alabama
• Founded: 1887
• Enrollment: 29,689
• Facility: Veterans Memorial Stadium
• Capacity: 30,000
• Nickname: Trojans
• Conference: Sun Belt Conference
• 2011 Record: 3-9
• 2011 Conf. Record/Finish: 2-6/ 7th in the Sun Belt
• Head Coach: Larry Blakeney
• Alma Mater, Year: Auburn, 1969
• Record at Troy: 163-92-1
• Career Record: 163-92-1
• 2012 Tentative Roster

2011 Opponent Season in Review

2011 was a disappointing year for Larry Blakeney and the Trojans. A usual fixture at the top of the Sun Belt, last season was Troy's first losing season since 2005 (4-7) as they struggled on both sides of the ball. After falling short of a huge comeback in Week 2 at Arkansas (28-38 loss) the Trojans put up back-to-back wins against MTSU (38-35) and UAB (24-23). At that point, Troy looked poised to challenge for the Sun Belt title but they lost 7 of their final 8 games, including a head-scratching loss by four TDs at home to ULM (10-38).

Who to watch for (Offense)

Corey Robinson Junior, QB: 2011 Stats - 316 of 508 passes (62%) for 3,411 yards and 21 TDs and 15 INTs

Robinson wasn't as good in 2011 as he was in his breakout rs-freshman year of 2010 (3726 yds 28 TDs), but there's no doubt that he's still the player that makes this offense go. When he's on, he's really good. Ask Arkansas: 373 yards and 3 TDs against the Hogs last year.

Eric Thomas Junior, WR: 2011 Stats - 67 rec, 985 yds, and 9 TDs. First-Team All-Sun Belt.

Mississippi State defensive backs will have their hands full with Thomas. He's the go-to receiver for the Trojans and maybe the premier receiver in the Sun Belt.

Who to watch for (Defense)

Brynden Trawick Senior, S: 2011 Stats - 123 tackles, 2.5 tfls, 1 sack All-Sun Belt.

A big, talented safety, Trawick signed with Michigan State out of high school so it's pretty clear he's got some talent and he finally showcased it last season by making the all-conference team.

Tony Davis Senior, DT: 2011 Stats - 34 tackles, 6 tfls, 2.5 sacks, 1 fumble recov. for TD . All-Sun Belt.

An undersized playmaker, Davis is the best player on a defensive line that will need to step up if the Trojans hope to improve on last year's miserable record.

Game Prediction

21-9 Troy. Kidding. 11-8 State. Yeaaaa, NO.

This isn't the early 2000s, so I don't expect another MSU vs Troy "gouge your eyes out" type performance. However, playing on the road is never easy and Troy should be improved. I think it's close for three quarters with the Bulldogs running away with it in the end.

MSU 38
Troy 17