COMMENTARY: Troy is unique underdog

By Harry King

Posted: November 14, 2009 at 2:43 a.m.

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LITTLE ROCK — As an underdog with several talented players, Troy is unique among Arkansas’ nonconference opponents.

As such, the Trojans offer a measuring stick of Arkansas’ maturation, particularly sandwiched between Southeastern Conference foes. If the Razorbacks have made as much progress as it appears in recent weeks, they will be workmanlike in victory.

The danger is that Troy is capable of cultivating Arkansas mistakes, something that was beyond Missouri State and Eastern Michigan. Arkansas was a big favorite against both those teams and performed accordingly.

The best in the Sun Belt Conference, Troy is a two-touchdown underdog, an assessment that indicates the Trojans are a threat.

Against such an opponent, the favorite sometimes gets antsy when the game is still in doubt in the second half, and a couple of turnovers could put the Razorbacks in that situation. Arkansas has not lost a fumble in its last four SEC games and Ryan Mallett’s only interception during that time was a second-quarter heave against Auburn.

A week ago, coach Bobby Petrino labeled South Carolina a “must-win,” in part to check out his team’s response to being on the spot. With two SEC games dead ahead, today is about winning in stride.

Stout up front and at linebacker, the Troy defense may be vulnerable in the secondary. Such a condition might tempt Mallett, who was content to throw underneath the coverage while hitting 23-of-27 vs. South Carolina.

Quarterback Levi Brown has been effective in Troy’s passing game, which is based on an expediency that leaves little time for a pass rush. Brown started eight games last year, completing almost 62 percent of his passes with 15 touchdowns vs. three interceptions. This year, his completion rate is pushing 65 percent with 15 TDs and four interceptions. He has completed at least 60 percent in each game this year except in a 50-point loss to Florida.

“He doesn’t mess around with who he is throwing to,” said Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson. “He has a guy that he looks for in each route and he gets it there very accurately.”

Brown has thrown 258 straight passes without an interception and could break Trent Dilfer’s single-season record of 271 before halftime.

Troy is not all pass. The Trojans have run the ball 315 times and thrown it 347.

There is a good chance that Arkansas fans who see Sun Belt and dismiss Troy will be surprised by the Razorbacks’ margin of victory. The idea is to record W No. 6 and move on. Coach Urban Meyer made that point after Florida beat Vanderbilt 27-3 for its 19th straight victory and somebody suggested that the winning margin was disappointing.

“If 19-0 in the Southeastern Conference at the University of Florida is ho-hum, then you’ve got one exciting life, man,” he said.

By the same token, fans should not be blasé if the Razorbacks win their third straight and become bowl eligible.

Harry King is a sports columnist in Little Rock for stephens media’s arkansas news bureau.

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