The #24 Troy Trojans (11-2, 10-3 ATS, 6-7 O/U) collide with the #25 UTSA Roadrunners (11-2, 7-6 ATS, 8-5 O/U) in the Trading Cure Bowl on Friday afternoon in Orlando. The Trojans enjoyed a great season, going 7-1 in conference play and defeated Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt championship game. The Roadrunners went a perfect 8-0 in C-USA action and beat North Texas in the title game.
The #24 Troy Trojans enter the bowl enjoying a remarkable 10-game winning streak. Troy's only defeats were against strong foes, losing to Ole Miss in the season opener and losing their conference opener in a narrow 32-28 decision against Appalachian State. The Trojans have not lost since that game propelled by stifling defense. Troy was labeled as a 6.5-point favorite in a dominating 45-26 win against Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt final. They have covered the spread in three consecutive games.
Gunnar Watson doesn’t post huge numbers on a team that prefers to run but is solid. The junior QB has eclipsed 300 passing yards four times this season and has accumulated 2705 passing yards and a 13:10 TD to INT ratio.
Troy has an outstanding running back in Kimani Vidal. The sophomore RB was especially sharp late in the season, rushing for over 200 yards in two out of his last three games, and has accumulated 1059 rushing yards on 5.1 yards per carry. The receiving core has three players with over 400 yards led by Tez Johnson. The sophomore WR had 59 receiving yards in the championship game and has recorded 823 yards on the year. The Troy offense was at its best in the last month of the season, eclipsing 30 points in three straight games.
A bowl game fit for a ????????????????! @CureBowl here we come …#RiseToBuild | #OneTROY pic.twitter.com/uzqXR8plFV
— Troy Trojans Football 7x?? (@TroyTrojansFB) December 4, 2022
The Trojans’ defense is definitely their top strength. They easily contained their foes in conference play and only allowed more than 19 points three times all season, one of which was against Ole Miss of the SEC. The pass defense is 38th while the rush defense is even better, marking 22nd. Troy is scoring an average of 26.2 points, ranking them 80th. They are limiting opponents to only 17.5 points, good for eighth in the FBS.