On October 3, 2024, Texas State Bobcats and Troy Trojans will face off in a Thursday night Sun Belt Conference matchup at 7 p.m. ET. The game will take place at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama, and will be broadcast live on ESPNU. You can also stream the game on services like FuboTV and Hulu Live TV.
Game Preview
The Texas State Bobcats (2-2) head into this game after an uneven start to the season, aiming to break a two-game losing streak. Led by quarterback Jordan McCloud, the Bobcats have been an offensive powerhouse, averaging 37.5 points per game. McCloud has been instrumental, throwing for 1,141 yards and 12 touchdowns across four games. His key targets include Jaden Williams and Joey Hobert, who together have accounted for over 550 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
Defensively, Texas State has struggled, allowing an average of 27 points per game, but they will look to rebound against a Troy team dealing with significant injuries. Troy’s quarterback, Goose Crowder, is questionable after leaving last week’s game early due to injury. This has hindered the Trojans’ offensive performance, leading to their 1-4 record so far this season.
The Trojans have managed to show occasional offensive sparks, such as their 38-point outing against Florida A&M, but they’ve largely underperformed, averaging just 21.4 points per game. Running back Damien Taylor has been a bright spot for Troy, rushing for 336 yards and two touchdowns this season. Wide receiver Devonte Ross has also been a key player, tallying 530 yards and six touchdowns.
Odds and Betting
As of the latest odds, Texas State is favored by 13.5 points. The over/under is set at 57.5 points, indicating that oddsmakers expect a relatively high-scoring game. Bettors are leaning toward the over, as Texas State’s high-powered offense is expected to exploit Troy’s shaky defense, which has allowed 363 yards and 25.8 points per game(
ATS.io)(Sports Betting Dime).
Prediction
Given Troy’s struggles on both sides of the ball and their injury concerns at quarterback, Texas State is expected to come out on top. Texas State’s offensive firepower, led by McCloud, should overpower Troy’s defense, and the Bobcats are predicted to win by a score of 31-25(FOX Sports).
How to Watch
- TV: ESPNU
- Live Streaming: FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV
- Date/Time: October 3, 2024, 7 p.m. ET
This Sun Belt clash promises to be a high-stakes game for both teams, with Texas State looking to get back on track and Troy hoping to bounce back from a disappointing start to the season.
Key Players to Watch
Texas State Bobcats
- Jordan McCloud (QB): McCloud has been stellar this season, throwing for 1,141 yards with 12 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions. His dual-threat capabilities (101 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns) make him a dangerous player against any defense(FOX Sports).
- Jaden Williams (WR): Leading the Bobcats’ receiving corps, Williams has 292 yards and 3 touchdowns so far this season. His ability to break free down the field will be key in testing Troy’s secondary.
- Joey Hobert (WR): Hobert adds another dimension to the Bobcats’ aerial attack, with 272 yards and 4 touchdowns, showing an exceptional knack for finding the end zone(Sports Betting Dime)(FOX Sports).
Troy Trojans
- Devonte Ross (WR): A key player for Troy’s offense, Ross has racked up 530 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns this season. His ability to create big plays will be crucial for Troy if they are to pull off an upset(FOX Sports).
- Damien Taylor (RB): The Trojans’ rushing attack is powered by Taylor, who has run for 336 yards and two touchdowns. He’s averaging an impressive 5.9 yards per carry, giving Troy some offensive balance.
- Will Crowder (QB): Crowder has been a capable, if inconsistent, presence under center with 547 passing yards and 5 touchdowns. However, his health remains a question mark after sustaining an injury last week(Sports Betting Dime).
Recent Form and Matchup History
Texas State has had a mixed season, starting strong but losing their last two games. The Bobcats are 2-2 and looking to bounce back in their conference opener. Meanwhile, Troy has been struggling, sitting at 1-4, and they lost their last game in a disappointing fashion to Louisiana-Monroe, a team that ranks near the bottom of the FBS offensively(ATS.io).
Historically, Troy has dominated the matchup, winning the last three contests between these two teams. However, Texas State has covered the spread in two of those games, and they’ve been more competitive in recent years(
Game Insights and Strategy
- Texas State’s Offense vs Troy’s Defense: Texas State’s explosive offense should pose a significant challenge to Troy’s struggling defense. With McCloud leading the way and two standout receivers, the Bobcats will look to exploit Troy’s vulnerabilities in pass defense.
- Troy’s Offense: If Crowder can play, he’ll need to find Devonte Ross early and often to stretch the field against Texas State. However, they’ll also have to lean on Damien Taylor to control the clock and limit Texas State’s opportunities on offense(Sports Betting Dime)(FOX Sports).
Prediction and Final Thoughts
The Bobcats are favored by 13.5 points for good reason. Texas State’s offense should thrive against Troy’s defense, especially given Troy’s injury issues at quarterback. Expect Texas State to win the game, but Troy could keep it close enough to cover the spread.
Prediction: Texas State 31, Troy 25(
FOX Sports)(Sports Betting Dime).
Texas State vs. Troy: Game Breakdown
The upcoming Texas State vs. Troy game holds significant weight for both teams as they look to set the tone in the Sun Belt Conference. Texas State enters this game as the favorite, with a 13.5-point spread advantage. While both teams have struggled defensively, the offensive firepower and consistency of Texas State should tip the balance in their favor.
Strengths of Texas State
Texas State’s offensive strategy revolves around their talented quarterback Jordan McCloud, who leads an explosive unit that averages over 37 points per game. The passing attack, particularly through wide receivers Jaden Williams and Joey Hobert, allows the Bobcats to score quickly and from anywhere on the field. McCloud has a strong command of the offense, with over 1,100 passing yards and a dynamic ability to extend plays with his legs when necessary(
Sports Betting Dime)(FOX Sports).
Texas State’s running back Ismail Mahdi also provides balance to the offense with 307 rushing yards this season, making the Bobcats’ offense multidimensional. Their ability to mix run and pass, especially in high-pressure situations, could overwhelm Troy’s defense, which has allowed 25.8 points per game(FOX Sports).
Troy’s Challenges
Troy comes into the game with significant defensive shortcomings, and although they are capable of explosive plays, their offense has been inconsistent this season. The Trojans’ top weapon, wide receiver Devonte Ross, has proven to be a reliable deep threat, with over 500 receiving yards and six touchdowns so far(
). Quarterback Will Crowder, if healthy, has been solid but unremarkable, throwing for 547 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Troy’s offensive strength lies in its ability to stretch defenses with big plays, but with an average of just 21.4 points per game, they’ve struggled to maintain consistency across four quarters. Their rushing attack, led by Damien Taylor, offers a steady presence, but the team will need more from their passing game to keep up with Texas State.
Matchup Keys
- McCloud’s Accuracy vs Troy’s Secondary: Troy’s defense will be tested by McCloud’s ability to find his receivers downfield. If McCloud continues his strong form, the Trojans could be in for a long night, especially with their secondary struggling to contain opposing passing attacks.
- Troy’s Running Game: To counter Texas State’s offense, Troy will need to rely on their running game to control the clock and limit possessions. Damien Taylor has been efficient with 5.9 yards per carry, but his workload might need to increase for Troy to stand a chance.
- Red Zone Efficiency: Both teams will need to capitalize on their red zone opportunities. Texas State has been effective at converting drives into points, while Troy’s inability to finish drives has plagued them in recent games.
Betting and Predictions
Texas State is favored by 13.5 points, but Troy has shown resilience in previous matchups against the Bobcats. The implied score based on current odds suggests a 36-22 win for Texas State. However, with injuries and inconsistency affecting Troy, the prediction leans towards Texas State covering the spread.
Final Prediction: Texas State 31, Troy 25.