Sun Belt Conference plays heats up Thursday night when the South Alabama Jaguars travel to Veterans Memorial Stadium from Troy, Alabama to take on the Troy Trojans. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2. In the “Battle of the Belt” Troy holds an 8-3 lead in the series and has won five straight including a 10-6 win in 2022.
South Alabama (4-4, 2-2 Sun Belt) had its two-game win streak snapped in a 33-20 to Louisana last Saturday. Quarterback Carter Bradley threw for 381 yards and two touchdowns, but the Jaguars had five turnovers that helped them fall into a 17-0 halftime deficit.
Troy (6-2, 3-1 Sun Belt) has won five straight and are inching closer to another Sun Belt West Division title. Last week the Trojans earned a 31-13 win over the Texas State Bobcats. Quarterback Gunnar Watson threw for 392 yards and three touchdowns.
SP+ Rankings
South Alabama: 54th overall, 56th offense, 53rd defense
Troy: 45th overall, 73rd offense, 25th defense
Injury update
South Alabama
QB Carter Bradley – Questionable (Knee)
RB Braylon McReynolds – Out (Collarbone)
WR Devin Voisin – Out (Knee)
Troy
RB Jordon Ingram – Out (Knee)
S Reggie Bracy – Out (Suspension)
ATS/Total
Against The Spread in 2023
South Alabama: 3-5 ATS
Troy: 4-4 ATS
Total in 2023
South Alabama: Over 5-3
Troy: Over 2-6
Team Pace
South Alabama: 2.09 plays per minute of offense
Troy: 2.21 plays per minute of offense
Odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
Spread: Troy -3.5
Total: 44.5
Moneyline: Troy -180, South Alabama +150
Opening line: Troy -5
Opening total: 45.5
Weather
Clear skies with light winds out of the east, less than 5 MPH. Game-time temperature will be in the low 50s.
Our Best Bet for South Alabama vs. Troy
Troy -3.5
The Trojans defense is the big story here as they have given up just 23 points in the past four games. Expect this to be a fairly tight with two of the best quarterbacks in the league challenging both defenses. Troy should, however, notch its sixth straight win the series.