Super Bowl Update

This is the second-to-last of some position previews and the quarterbacks preview will get posted this weekend.

THE SKINNY: Troy is deep and experienced at running back and while the Trojans weren't that great at running the ball last year, a multitude of things led to that. Bad defense led to some early deficits and injuries and shifting around on the offensive line led to Troy finishing dead last in the Sun Belt in rushing at 88 yards per game last year. That number was good for 117th out of 120 teams in FBS last year. If you can't run the ball, you can't win.

TOP GUYS: Here's why Troy should be better at running the ball this year - the top two guys are too good for them not to be. Shawn Southward and D.J. Taylor, fellow seniors, are good enough to be in NFL training camps next fall, according to strength coach Richard Shaughnessy. Southward was the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year in 2009 and Taylor has really come into his own over the last couple of years. Southward's in the 185-190 pound range and a good north and south runner. Taylor's about 230 pounds and a bruising runner who is faster than he looks and good out of the backfield.

THE REST: Senior Chris Anderson was part of that three-man tandem last year but his carries tailed off at the end. He's a fast back that has been part of the rotation the past two years and will get some carries this year. I'm interested to see how junior Khary Franklin fits in, as he has a redshirt year available after his transition from wide receiver, but was pretty good this spring. Redshirt freshman Daron White also has some ability and the future at this position looks bright. Senior T.J. Mitchell also returns and sophomore Brian Exley, a load to bring down in scrimmages, is back, although he was injured during spring.


BOTTOM LINE: This unit must improve for Troy to be better, and I am pretty sure it will.


TOP MOMENT OF MY ERA (since 2005): A couple of things stick out, both related to the same player. In the 2008 48-3 win against UL-Lafayette, DuJuan Harris dominated, running for 234 yards and two touchdowns and even throwing a touchdown. He topped the 1,000-yard mark that year in his first year as a starter. Next year wasn't so good for Harris, as he just didn't perform as well for whatever reason and eventually lost his job to Southward. But he was at his best in the GMAC Bowl, a 44-41 loss to Central Michigan, running with passion and showing great heart in a game where two of the more talented "mid-major" teams I've ever seen squared off. Harris ran for 112 yards and two scores, and caught a touchdown pass. A few days later, his son was born. Harris made the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent