Troy Preview: Hogs Should Be Wary
August 29th, 2007 6:05am Walking on Sunshine
First in our series of opponent previews, a new regular feature this year on Wednesdays during football season.
Ever since the 2007 Razorback Football schedule was announced, national media and some fans have criticized it as being weak. Many forget that the Hogs were set to play TCU in 2007 and 2008. But that was before Texas came calling and wanted to play in 2008 and 2009, causing the Hogs-Frogs series to evaporate.
For those that think the Troy Trojans are a “weak sister, rent-a-win” game — don’t buy it. In 2004, after thumping Missouri at home 24-14, they played LSU to within 24-20 in ‘Death Valley.’ The Trojans gave #9 Florida State all they wanted last year, eventually falling 24-17. They are a dangerous opponent, well-coached, and should put up some points.
Last year, Razorback fans put a lot of stock into the predictions of Phil Steele, the editor of Phil Steele’s College Football Preview publication. Steele predicted the Hogs would go 10-2 last year and he ranked them in his preseason top 15.
You haven’t heard as much about Steele’s magazine in Hog Country this year, as he has Arkansas ranked #37. People around here (understandably) don’t want to hear that. They probably don’t want to hear, as well, that Steele has Troy ranked #48…ahead of SEC teams like Kentucky and Ole Miss.
Coach Larry Blakeney is in his 17th year at the school, posting a record of 128-64-1. His offensive coordinator is Tony Franklin, who installed a spread offense last season. Franklin is a former offensive assistant under Hal Mumme at Kentucky. (Starting to get the picture now?) They are led by a senior quarterback, Omar Haugabook, who tossed 21 TDs and completed 61 percent of his passes last year en route to winning the SBC Offensive MVP award.
Eight starters return for Troy on defense. They should be improved after being pretty average last year, yielding 22.2 points per game. Place kicker Greg Whibbs returns after hitting 11-20 FGs (long of 48) last season. Cornerback/Punt Returner Leodis McKelvin has averaged 12.6 and 11.2 yards per return the last two years.
Troy’s one glaring unknown is in the offensive line. Only one starter returns there, so one of the keys for the Hogs will certainly be to pressure Haugabook into making mistakes in the passing game. If he’s given enough time, then the ball will be in the air a lot, and that could make for a trying day for cornerbacks Matterral Richardson, Jerell Norton and Jamar Love.
Entry Filed under: Football, Razorbacks
8 Comments
1. BlindHog | August 29th, 2007 at 8:34 am
It is an interesting fact that our first three opponents are all going to have an excellent passing game and a weaker defense. Sounds like a high scoring affair if our Cornerbacks are not ready.
I think this Razorback team is loaded and cocked and ready to go off. I’ve always thought that the first 3 games are the key. If they avoid the upset and then go 2-0 in conference it should be a wild night in Knoxville. As long as they don’t stumble out of the shoot I think that they will bolt to the lead and not look back.
Of course that has a few IFs associated with it. One of those question marks can not come up snake eyes. If the O line doesn’t jell or the cornerbacks are just not there, particularly for this stretch, or the passing game falls flat then we are in for the average 8-4. But all things being equal if Casey can build some confidence or one of the Nathan’s can come in and take over, this team is destined to answer the critics. I think they want to very badly, but even more, I think they are as disappointed as the fan base that they drew a blank last year.
Repeating is always tough, especially in the SEC. It will be twice as tough this year. We do have a very weak schedule and it will keep us down in the polls but it will be essential to take some pressure off this team once they get the lead.
Dale is going to have to fight his natural instincts and let this horse run rather than trying to protect them. He is going to have to play it a little loose. This bunch needs to be able to play through their mistakes to their stride. This game is a perfect opportunity to pull out a few stops and take these boys down 55-17.
2. Defense Wins Championships | August 29th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Seele is out of touch to rank Ky. so low. I believe they are much, much better. We shall see.
Normally, high octane passing goes right along with a supposed weak defense. That likely is because some of the passing teams when they score, they score quickly which can wear their defense down if their opponent can run the ball down their throat.
No, Troy is not a weak sister. It will be a dog fight. Razorbacks, historically under Houston start sometimes a little slow and get stronger and stronger as the season progresses. Troy will not likely be a blow out if one looks at the history of their games with other good D-1 programs.
3. GonzoHog | August 29th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
I think your average fan will probably think the Hogs will blow Troy out by 4 to 6 TDs. The problem is, that is probably well far from the truth. I am rooting for a blowout, but the history of this opponent goes against that logic. Hogs win, 50-27.
4. Hawgfan100 | August 29th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
I figure we double ‘em up: 34-17.
5. Carolina Hog | August 30th, 2007 at 7:17 am
Well, I was looking for Arkansas news and found myself on a Bama blog in an arguement with perhaps the one group of fans more delusional than we are. So I’m trying to have a rational discourse to no avail when I look over and there’s Hogblogger. Its a small world.
While we are focused on “first things first” over here you’d be amazed how obsessed they are with the Hogs.
Anyway Hogblogger, are we doing game week predictions this year?
Hogs 38 Troy 10
Stat to be obliterated: DMAC has a combined 120 yards in season openers.
6. Hawgfan100 | August 30th, 2007 at 7:53 am
Gee, I don’t know why they’d be obsessed. They have a one game lead on us in head-to-head matches since we’ve been in the SEC. Actually I do know why: for them as well as for us, this game tends to signal how the rest of the season witl go (plus they don’t want to see us get even up this year! ;^)
7. OwassoHog | August 30th, 2007 at 8:08 am
Carolina Hog asks and TipsterHog answers! The weekly predictions are out!
8. Five Reasons to Hate Troy | Ra… | August 31st, 2007 at 3:02 pm
[...] than you think. Unlike certain other non-conference foes we could mention (actually, all of them), Troy can actually play. They gave Florida State all they could handle last year, and they have legit talent in QB Omar [...]