Trap game. There are always at least a few of these each week for the college football bettor to lookout for, and Friday night's Oklahoma State at Troy matchup appears to have all the makings to be one.
Yes, Troy is 0-2. Yes, Troy has given up 105 points in those two losses. But those losses were at SEC powers Arkansas and Florida, and the Trojans racked up 26 and 31 points, respectively in those games - so they can score.
Troy has had trouble rushing the ball, getting just 53 yards on 26 attempts against Florida, but the Trojans put up 283 through the air against the defending national champions as QB Omar Haugabook completed 29 of 52 for two touchdowns and an interception.
The Trojan run defense will have to shore up to have a shot at pulling off the upset of the Cowboys. Troy's defense is allowing 307.0 yards per game on the ground, ranking 115th in the nation.
Oklahoma State, meanwhile, comes into the game 1-1, with a disappointing 35-14 loss at GeorgiaFlorida Atlantic. And there's a reason the Big 12's Cowboys are 10-point favorites on WagerWeb.com over the Sun Belt's Trojans.
However, there a few warning signs for OSU backers.
First, is there a QB controversy? Starter Bobby Reid struggled in the opening loss to Georgia, then twisted an ankle against Florida Atlantic. Backup Zac Robinson came in an completed 14 of 20 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns to help spark the Cowboys' easy victory.
Coach Mike Gundy is downplaying a change, saying Reid will start Friday unless his sore ankle keeps him out. However, Gundy added: "Guys have to practice hard and go out and perform. If they don't, you put somebody else in."
A second warning sign for the Cowboys could be that running back Dantrell Savage is questionable for this game. Savage, who averaged 6.5 yards per carry last season, missed the FAU game with a groin injury.
Lastly, history may be on Troy's side on Friday. The Trojans are tough at home and beat a team similar to OSU, Missouri, at home on national TV a few years back.
"This is a good challenge for us," Gundy said. ?I think our players are aware of the history and the success they've had down there against bigger schools."
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Information from other news sources was used in this report.
followed by a 42-6 cakewalk over
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