Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO — From Nebraska to LSU, Troy football has had a penchant for hard-striking surprising upsets in the last five years.
The Trojans hope to make BYU their next victim.
The 18th-ranked Cougars will host Troy in Saturday’s home opener in an empty stadium in Provo (8:15 p.m. MDT, ESPN). And while BYU has the Associated Press Top 25 ranking and a national television audience, the Trojans aren’t afraid of the big stage.
"I have a lot of respect for that program, in general," BYU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes said. "I was at LSU three years ago when they came to Baton Rouge and beat us there.
"This is the kind of program that expects to play against quality opponents, and they come in expecting to win. I think they’ll show up with that mindset on Saturday."
Grimes, who spent most of his coaching career in the South when not acting as offensive line coach and offensive coordinator at BYU, knows that the Sun Belt school from Troy, Alabama, (pop: 19,126) shouldn’t be taken lightly.
His LSU squad did it three years ago, before the No. 22-ranked Tigers fell 24-21 to the Trojans in Death Valley. So, too, did Nebraska, which lost to Troy 29-14 inside Memorial Stadium in 2018.
But are Grimes' players aware of the Troy-sized upsets that have befallen college football teams in recent years?
"We’ve talked about how they show up in big-time games," said BYU receiver Gunner Romney, whose 33.5 yards per catch would lead the nation in the small sample size of just one game. "But I think the preparation is the same for us; it doesn’t matter who the opponent is. We have the same mindset.
"It’s not a huge focus on them coming in to upset us. They’re another opponent, and we have to prepare for them the same way we always do — by bringing more energy."
That, of course, is the key to avoiding the upset: focus on a team, a nameless — or jersey-less, at least — and faceless opponent, independent of who that team is or in what conference they play.
In that regard, though, the Trojans may be exceptional. The Sun Belt caught national attention during the opening weekend of the FBS football season, with a 10-8 record that includes two losses to each other. That record also includes three wins over Big 12 opponents: Arkansas State’s trip to Manhattan for a 35-31 victory over Kansas State; Louisiana’s 31-14 win at Iowa State; and Coast Carolina’s 38-24 road win over Kansas.
Troy has represented the conference well, with a 23-9 record in league play in the last four years.
"They’re a fantastic team," BYU linebacker Pepe Tanuvasa said. "We’ve been taking extra measures not to take them for granted or take them lightly. Everyone on the team and on the staff is hyper aware and focused on being prepared."
So, yeah, there shouldn’t be any disrespect thrown at the Trojans.
"We’re still going to approach the game like normal," BYU quarterback Zach Wilson said. "I heard them talk about how they’ve had big wins at Nebraska and LSU. Respect to Troy, but I think a lot of that is LSU and Nebraska not ready to play.
"We’ve got to come out like we’re playing the best team in the country every week."
Even in Troy’s season opener, the Trojans showcased an explosive offense in a 47-14 road win over Middle Tennessee.
The Trojans are led by sophomore quarterback Gunnar Watson, who threw for 248 yards and two touchdowns in the win; and wide receiver Khalil McClain, a senior Tulane transfer who had 75 yards on six catches, including two touchdowns.
They feature a wide-open spread offense, led by former BYU offensive line coach Ryan Pugh at offensive coordinator, and a very different scheme than the one the Cougars saw in a 55-3 rout of Navy in the season opener on Labor Day.
For his part, defensive lineman Lorenzo Fauatea isn't concerned about flipping the switch from defending the triple option to the spread offense. He says Troy's scheme better matches up with the Cougars' base defense, something they practice plenty since fall camp opened the first week of August.
"During fall camp, we were preparing for basically any team, and we were preparing for a lot of spread in our regular defense," Fauatea said, adding that the transition to defending the option was more difficult.
"It was difficult at first because none of us had played the triple option. But watching more film and experiencing other teams, we were more comfortable. I guess going back to our normal defense, it’s an easier flip."
Can BYU avoid falling into another upset victim by the Trojans and repeating history for Grimes?
Again, it goes back to respect.
"I have a lot of respect for those guys, and for this program," Grimes said. "I was in Baton Rouge when they came in and beat us. They’re a program that has a lot of pride, and I have the understanding from having played against them of what they are capable of. And the players do, too."
How to watch, stream, listen
Game 2: Troy (1-0) at No. 18 BYU (1-0)
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. MDT
TV: ESPN (Dave Flemming, Rod Gilmore, Stormy Buonantony)
Radio: BYU Radio, KSL 1160 AM/102.7 FM (Greg Wrubell, Riley Nelson, Mitchell Juergens)
Series history: First meeting
