Free College Football Picks Today: Troy Trojans vs University of Louisiana Monroe Warhawks 11/19/22

The Troy University Trojans (8-2, 5-1 SBC), one of the Sun Belt Conference’s top passing offenses, play host to the University of Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (4-6, 3-3 SBC), one of the conference’s softest aerial defenses, at Larry Blakeney Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

The Trojans are 15-point favorites, and the total is 48. Louisiana-Monroe is coming off a narrow 31-28 win over Georgia State at Center Parc Stadium last Saturday. Chandler Rogers was 15 of 29 for 225 yards and an interception.

Malik Jackson ran 13 times for 38 yards. Tyrone Howell caught four passes for 70 yards. Troy won for the seventh straight game last Saturday, beating Army West Point 10-9 at Larry Blakeney Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Gunnar Watson threw for 192 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Kimani Vidal carried 13 times for 72 yards. Tez Johnson scored once. He hauled in six receptions for 75 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Warhawks won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 29-16 victory in September. Rhett Rodriguez threw one touchdown for Louisiana-Monroe, as Andrew Henry added a rushing TD and Zach Jackson scored once through the air. Taylor Powell tossed two touchdowns for Troy.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Warhawks are averaging 24.2 points per game for the season, 92nd in FBS, and they are facing a Trojans defense that has surrendered 16.7 PPG (9th). Meanwhile, Troy has scored 21.3 points a game this season, 110th in the nation, and Louisiana-Monroe is allowing 35.9 PPG (122nd).

The Warhawks rank 84th in the nation in passing yards per game (219.7) and 99th in rushing (125.5), while the Trojans are 34th in passing yards allowed per game (201.7) and 40th against the run (128.8).

Troy has been one of the country’s least productive rushing teams, averaging 96.7 yards per game (121st), while ranking 24th in passing yards (274.7). The Warhawks are allowing 253.1 passing yards (99th) and 180.8 rushing yards per game (104th).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through 10 games, Chandler Rogers has thrown for 14 touchdowns (7 INT) and 213.6 yards per game to lead Louisiana-Monroe in passing. In six away games this season, he has eight TDs (5 INT) and an average of 183.7 yards passing.

Malik Jackson leads the team in rushing with an average of 45.2 yards a game over 10 games. He has six touchdowns on the ground and three through the air. Tyrone Howell is the Warhawks’ leading receiver with 77.5 yards a game and six TDs.

Gunnar Watson has nine passing touchdowns (9 INT) with 240.6 yards per game through nine games to lead Troy. In four home games this season, he has thrown for six TDs (5 INT) and an average of 276.0 yards.

Kimani Vidal has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 55.6 yards a game through 10 games. He has three touchdowns. Tez Johnson has been a key target in the Trojans’ passing game. He has four touchdowns and a 76.9 yard per game average through nine appearances.