5 things to know about Troy football before the 2024 season
Reading time: 4 minutes
While the Crimson Tide may be the standard for college football in our state, there’s one other program which has matched the Tide’s win total over the last two season—the Troy Trojans.
After winning a combined 23 games including two consecutive Sun Belt championships, Troy is under new leadership for the 2024 season. But expectations remain high and with a new-look playoff format, the Trojans might be considered one of the favorites from the Group of 5 teams to snag one of those postseason spots.
Keep reading to learn all about what you can expect from Troy this season under new coach Gerad Parker.
1. New coach, same results?
After each of the last three coaching changes at Troy, there was a drastic change in results and not always for the best.
Neal Brown took just two seasons to go from three wins to 10 wins after taking over for Larry Blakeney. When Brown left, Chip Lindsey inherited a program with three consecutive double-digit win seasons but the Trojans could not make a bowl game in three seasons under Lindsey.
Then it took previous coach Jon Sumrall one season to take a 5-win team to a 12-win conference champion. After two hugely successful seasons under Sumrall, Troy is hoping no big change comes from this year’s shift to Gerad Parker.
2. The Goose is loose
One reason the Trojans could struggle is because of a large lack of returning starters from last year’s team. Only four players who started the bowl game a year ago will be taking the field for Troy this season.
However, there are some high hopes around the offense which will be led by former Gardendale quarterback Goose Crowder. After transferring back to his home state from West Virginia to serve as the backup, Crowder has officially been named the starter—and a team captain—for the first time in his college career.
The Trojans had a balanced offense last season but scored most of their touchdowns through the air. If the offense looks similar this season, look for a breakout season from Crowder.
3. Homegrown talent
Crowder isn’t the only Troy standout to play their high school ball in Alabama. The quarterback room is filled with local talent including Tucker Kilcrease of Brantley and Matthew Caldwell of Auburn.
If any of those guys are going to have a good season, it’s going to be with the help of some other local guys like:
- WR Peyton Higgins, Mars Hill
- WR DJ Epps, Russell County
- RB Damien Taylor, Tuscaloosa County
- TE Brody Dalton, Fyffe
The defense is also loaded with guys from Alabama, led by LJ Green and Justin Powe who are starters in the secondary.
Former Pleasant Grove star Chris Lewis will be on the sideline this season but will not get to suit up as he continues treatment for cancer.
4. A potential three-peat
There has never been a team to win three consecutive Sun Belt Championship Games and no Sun Belt team has won three straight outright conference titles since North Texas did it from 2002-2004.
Troy did win at least a share of the title in five straight seasons under Larry Blakeney from 2006-2010, a streak that began just two years after joining Division I.
5. Toughest tests on the road
There will certainly be a target on Troy’s back after winning two straight conference titles but some of the biggest challenges of the season will come on the road against non-conference opponents.
The Trojans open at home this week but will really find out a lot about themselves in weeks two and three with trips to Memphis and Iowa. Winning at least one of those two trips could help put Troy in position to compete for an automatic bid to the College Football Playoff… as long as another conference title comes with it.
Here’s a look at Troy’s complete 2024 schedule:
- Nevada, Aug. 31
- at Memphis, Sept. 7
- at Iowa, Sept. 14
- Florida A&M, Sept. 21
- Louisiana Monroe, Sept. 28
- Texas State, Oct. 3
- at South Alabama, Oct. 15
- at Arkansas State, Oct. 26
- Coastal Carolina, Nov. 2
- at Georgia Southern, Nov. 16
- at Louisiana, Nov. 23
- Southern Miss, Nov. 30
If you’re a Troy fan, what are you most looking forward to this season? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.
