Trojans looking for history
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, November 4, 2009
For three years now, the Troy Trojans have dominated the Sun Belt conference.
The Trojans have won at least a share of the league championship every year since 2006, during which time the Trojans have posted a record of 23-3 in conference play.
Troy has outscored Sun Belt foes 879-473 since 2006, an average score of 33.8 to 18.2.
Both the offensive and defensive units have consistently been at or near the top of the conference in most major statistical categories.
The Trojans finished second in offensive yards per game in 2006, first in 2007 and second again in 2008. The far through 2009, Troy is again first in total offense.
During that same span, Troy has finished no worse than second in scoring offense, and ranks second currently in that category.
Defensively, the Trojans ranked first in scoring defense from 2006-08. That stretch of three straight scoring defense titles might be in a bit of jeopardy this year, but the Trojans still rank a very respectable third in scoring defense.
So, dominance is the word that can be most closely associated with Troy and the Sun Belt over the last three years.
However, despite all of that, despite the impressive win totals and statistical performances, there is still something the Trojans have never done.
Troy has never gone unbeaten in Sun Belt play. The Trojans won their first outright Sun Belt title last season, but finished 6-1 in Sun Belt play with a loss to Louisiana-Monroe.
However, the Trojans have now avenged that loss and sit at 5-0 with just three conference games left to play.
The Men of Troy have a great shot at an unblemished record, as well. One of the final three SBC games is against Western Kentucky Saturday, who very well could be the worst team in FBS football.
The second of those games is at home against a Florida Atlantic team that recently lost senior all-conference quarterback Rusty Smith to an injury. Even with Smith this season, the Owls were just 2-6.
The biggest obstacle standing between Troy and perfection seems to be Louisiana-Lafayette, who Troy will play in the final game of the season Nov. 28.
A fourth straight title would be historic, but to be the first team in Sun Belt history with eight conference wins would be even bigger for this Troy team.