Don't read too much into Troy's 20-point loss to Arkansas. The Trojans will not be pushovers when they visit fourth-ranked Florida at 6 p.m. Saturday. So says coach Urban Meyer, who saw the Troy-Arkansas game film and said the lopsided Razorbacks victory was not so much of a blowout.
"This week our plan is we have to keep our defense off that field," Meyer said after Thursday's practice. "That game whatever the final score was...that was not indicative of the way that game went. They're moving the ball up and down the field against Arkansas and Arkansas is a good team...There's no looking ahead. This is a street fight on Saturday."
Not exactly a street fight and Meyer might be overselling his point so his inexperienced defense gets the point that Troy can score quickly, but the Trojans do have some weapons. Still, Florida should, if it executes its game plan and plays up to its capabilities, not be in for too much trouble.
Meyer said he expects Troy senior quarterback Omar Haugabook to play. Haugabook, who completed 15 of 43 passes for 204 yards with one touchdown and one pick in the 46-26 loss to Arkansas, injured his thumb in the opener. Troy lists him as probable. The Trojans have veterans on offense and its spread attack can cause problems.
In nickel packages, redshirt sophomore Dorian Munroe will play. Meyer said sophomore cornerback Markihe Anderson, who is coming back from a sprained knee, should play. Freshman Joe Haden and sophomore Wondy Pierre-Louis remain starters at cornerback. Seniors Kyle Jackson and Tony Joiner will start at the safety spots.
"When (reporters) said (Wednesday that Haugabook was injured) I did some homework on it but I think he's going to be fine," Meyer said. "He's practicing. I really sat down and watched him after you told me that yesterday. He has a different throwing motion. He's extremely accurate. He struggled a little bit against Arkansas but that was more in the second half. Early in that game he did a great job."
Redshirt junior Javier Estopinan and fifth-year senior Clint McMillan will start at defensive tackle but freshman Torrey Davis will play more and is fighting for a starting spot. Expect redshirt freshman Lawrence Marsh to see more playing time, too.
There will be no changes on the starting offensive line, Meyer said. Asked what the timetable is to announce if senior Phil Trautwein will redshirt or not, Meyer said there basically is no timetable. He will wait to make any final decision. Trautwein is out with a stress fracture in his foot.
"I don't use that word redshirt very often because this is a marathon, it's not a sprint," Meyer said. "Everybody says 'You're going to redshirt (John) Brantley.' The answer is no. If he doesn't play then I guess we'll use that.
"We don't just say we're going to redshirt that guy because that's not fair to them. The minute you say that to a player he doesn't work quite as hard at academics as he should and he doesn't work as hard on the football field. We don't redshirt guys now. Maybe down the road."
More Meyer quotes
On this week's preparation: "I was very pleased with this week of practice. I was concerned that coaches would get too hard on them and they'd lose focus. There was no loss of focus. We had a good week of practice."
On young guys taking a business-like approach: "Not enough. You still see some things that are directly related to youth and inexperience but our older guys do a nice job and I think there's a standard set that they try to live up to that standard. But that's difficult."
On John Brown: "Very proud of him. He's busting his tail. He never went through an off-season program. He's going through one now, getting in shape. The most important thing is getting acclimated to college life. That's what he's doing now."
preparing for troy
preparing for troy
For some reason, every time I see that term used now all I can think of is "G'yuh".Omar H. is a baller.
preparing for troy
i like how urbie talks up ALL our opponents...good for strength of schedule discussion amongst other things.
preparing for troy
yepIs that because of SickRick?