Troy is not afraid to play big-time opponents. Just take a look at its brutal non-conference schedule. Last week, the Trojans lost, 46-26, at Arkansas. Saturday evening, they visit Florida at The Swamp.
Games against Oklahoma State and Georgia are also on the schedule. Here are Florida's five keys to victory heading into its game this weekend:
Cornerbacks must step up
The good news is Florida expects to have sophomore cornerback Markihe Anderson back from a sprained knee this week. He will be a welcome addition to the inexperienced corners that will face Troy's potent spread offense.
Freshman Joe Haden had a solid first performance in Florida's 49-3 win over Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers never were a serious threat after the first series when they drove to Florida's 10-yard line but were stopped on fourth-and-1. Quarterback David Wolke was injured in that drive and never returned.
Sophomore Wondy Pierre-Louis did not have a stellar first game. More game experience is needed for all of Florida's young cornerbacks. Coach Urban Meyer said Wednesday redshirt junior Markus Manson (sprained ankle) will not play.
Troy will throw it all over the place. Senior quarterback Omar Haugabook, the Sun Belt Conference player of the year, completed 15 of 43 passes for 204 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the loss to Arkansas.
Haugabook banged his hand between helmets in that game and had X-rays taken. No bones were broken but the Montgomery Advertiser reported Haugabook could not shake hands with reporters at Monday's news conference. Troy's game notes list Haugabook as probable.
Senior Gary Banks caught five passes for 66 yards and senior Gerald Tate had two catches for 38 yards and a touchdown. Expect Florida's cornerbacks to get their first major test this season.
Keep focused on the task at hand
Tennessee visits Florida Field next weekend. The Gators should not even be thinking about that game until they take care of business Saturday evening. Troy won't be a pushover. The Trojans scored 17 first-half points against Arkansas and trailed by six at halftime.
Haugabook is experienced and leads a veteran offense that is comfortable in the spread system. Troy is used to playing in big stadiums. If Florida starts looking ahead to its SEC opener, it might find itself in a battle after halftime. That can be avoided by getting after it early and cruising to a win.
Keep it simple on offense
No need to show the full bag of tricks. Heisman Trophy candidate Darren McFadden rushed for 151 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries and Felix Jones added 129 yards and one score on 12 touches and he also returned a kickoff 90 yards for a TD in Arkansas' 20-point win. Troy's defense and special teams can be scored on.
Florida will be able to move the ball – probably on the ground and it should also have few problems airing it out. Sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns against Western Kentucky and he rushed for another score. If he can put up those types of numbers again is debatable, but if Arkansas can score 46, the Gators should be able to match or exceed it.
Keep some of the trick plays under wraps until the SEC rolls around. Florida should not have to pull out all its stops to win this game comfortably.
Get the playmakers more involved
Meyer said after the season opener it's a foot race to get the ball on offense because there are so many playmakers. Andre Caldwell caught three passes for 103 yards. Percy Harvin, who has been slowed by Achilles tendonitis this week, had three catches for 53 yards and a touchdown.
Sophomore Riley Cooper was the star on offense as he caught four passes for a game-high 122 yards and two touchdowns as Florida took full advantage of a mismatch at cornerback. Expect Caldwell, sophomore Jarred Fayson and Florida's other playmakers to get even more chances to make things happen this week.
Get more of a defensive push
One way to keep pressure on Haugabook and not allow him to stand in the pocket and fire downfield to his receivers is to get pressure up the middle. The defensive line's interior push was one of Meyer's concerns after Week 1.
Expect to see freshman Torrey Davis and redshirt freshman Lawrence Marsh get more of an opportunity to produce. Brandon Antwine, Clint McMillan and Javier Estopinan will also get valuable time to make a bigger impression across the defensive front.