Maroon and White Nation
Fansided

College football schedule week 4: 3 must-watch under-the-radar games

By Andrew Miller

Sep 2, 2023; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; Wyoming Cowboys rush the field after a double overtime win against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2023; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; Wyoming Cowboys rush the field after a double overtime win against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers quarterback Austin Reed (16) throws the ball
Sep 16, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers quarterback Austin Reed (16) throws the ball against Ohio State Buckeyes during the first quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium. /

College football schedule week 4 must-watch games: Western Kentucky at Troy

11:00 AM CT on ESPNU

They say styles make fights, and this game might be the very best example. As I highlighted in my preseason “Under the Radar Teams to Watch” piece, Western Kentucky as taken over the title of “Air Raid U’.

They’ve fully embraced throwing the dang ball over the past few years and are continuing that approach under OC Drew Hollingshead, who was in Starkville under Mike Leach the last three years.

On the other side, you’ve got the Troy Trojans who subscribe to the theory of “defense wins championships”. That certainly was the case for Troy in 2022. Under first year HC Jon Sumrall, Troy’s stellar defense (top-10 nationally in points allowed) led the Trojans to 12 wins and a Sun Belt conference championship.

Western Kentucky is a Conference USA title contender. They’re off to a 2-1 start behind stud QB Austin Reed. Reed threw for over 4700 yards and 40 TDs in 2022, and he’s kept up the high-level play this season. Troy is 1-2, losing to Kansas State and falling in a slugfest to James Madison. But they’re still hanging strong on the defensive side of the ball and will once again compete for the Sun Belt crown.

This should be a great battle.

Can Western Kentucky score on a salty Troy defense? Can Troy keep pace with a high-flying WKU offense? This is as good as you can ask for from a non-conference matchup between G5 programs.

Home/Mississippi State Bulldogs News