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After a much-needed bye week, the Troy Trojans (1-5, 0-2) are on the road this Tuesday, Oct. 15, for an early week clash with the South Alabama Jaguars (2-4, 1-1) in the annual Battle for the Belt rivalry.

Troy is currently on a 6-game win streak against the Jags, dating back to the Neal Brown era of Troy Football. The last time the Trojans lost to South Alabama was in 2017 and the last time Troy lost in Mobile was 2014. The importance of this rivalry is not lost on first-year Troy coach Gerad Parker.

“For me, I grew aware of (the rivalry) when I was interviewing for the job,” Parker said. “You better have a firm understanding of the program and all the traditions and rivalries when you accept a job. That rivalry was made very apparent to me by many of the people here, what it means to play South. Coach (Chanda) Rigby, Skylar Meade and Scott Cross – and in our volleyball match when they came here this fall – all really helped with that. Everyone knows when South is coming up.

“Educating myself on the other teams was one way to become more knowledgeable of the rivalry and the history and tradition of it. That also helps through past staff members that are still here like Sean Reagan, (Caleb) Carbine, (Travis) Pearson, Gary Banks and some of our support staff that have been here. There are enough people still here that are very aware of this game and what it means to all of our people, especially to our fanbase.”

South Alabama has had an up and down start to the 2024 season, losing back-to-back games to open the year against North Texas and Ohio before beating Northwestern State and Appalachian State in dominant fashion. South Alabama then lost two more against LSU and Arkansas State.

South Alabama’s offense has been one of the most effective in the Sun Belt this season, however. The Jags are ranked third in scoring, second in total offense, first in rushing offense and fourth in passing offense in the conference.

“They are explosive at every position of their skill players,” Parker said of South’s offense. “Their backs can take it a long way and score the ball, they have two or three very talented receivers and a good receiver core. Their tight ends group is good, their offensive line does a great job and they have good schemes.”

Running back Fluff Bothwell has amassed 408 yards and six touchdowns on the ground, while receiver Jamaal Pritchett has 36 catches for 531 yards and six scores on the season.

“Their quarterback can extend plays inside and outside the pocket and run with it vertically down the field, which is a problem” Parker said of South quarterback Gio Lopez. “He does a good job of keeping his eyes down the field (when he runs), too. It’s an explosive offense that has spoken for itself in the points they’ve scored and yards they’ve gained.”

Lopez has 1,036 yards passing with 12 touchdowns and just one interception in five games this season. He’s also run for 258 yards and two touchdowns.

The South defense, though, has struggled at times giving up the third most yards in the Sun Belt and the most passing yards in the conference.

The quarterback position is key for every game but will be even more so this week as the Trojans attempt to exploit South Alabama’s pass defense. Starting quarterback Goose Crowder is listed as “questionable” for the game and Parker said he would be a “game time decision.”

Meanwhile, Devonte Ross is second in the entire conference with 31 catches for 555 yards and seven touchdowns. Backup quarterback Tucker Kilcrease has thrown for 383 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in his attempts this season Whether it’s Kilcrease or Crowder, the Trojans will have to come up with big plays in the passing game for a chance to beat their rival.

Troy and South Alabama will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday in a game that will air nationally on ESPN2.