Ohio vs. Troy prediction, Dollar General Bowl pick, odds, line, watch live stream
How to watch the Dollar General Bowl: Game storylines, spread, time, date, TV channel
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3 min read
The Dollar General Bowl will feature a pair of the nation's top Group of Five teams and two top-25 scoring and rushing defenses in Sun Belt co-champions Troy and MAC East division champions Ohio, though both come into the bowl off of a loss in their final games.
Both teams allowed fewer than 23 points per game in 2016, so Friday night in Mobile figures to be a defensive battle. With two defenses that can stop the run and keep opponents out of the end zone, the team that can throw the ball and find success in the passing game likely will be the one that will get the win.
Viewing information
Date: Friday, Dec. 23
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Ladd-Peebles Stadium -- Mobile, Alabama
TV: ESPN
Live streams: WatchESPN / WatchESPN apps
Storylines
Troy: The Trojans are the better of the two passing offenses, and with both defenses top 20 in the nation in rush defense, that could be the deciding factor in this game. Troy completed 64.5 percent of its passes for 3,151 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions on the season, compared to Ohio's 55.2 percent completion percentage, 2,827 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Ohio is great against the run but can be had by a quality passing attack -- as evidenced by Western Michigan's success in the MAC title game. Against the 103rd ranked passing defense in the nation (257.4 ypg allowed), Troy quarterback Brandon Silvers will have opportunities to move the ball through the air, and he'll have to convert on those chances because running against the Bobcats is an extremely difficult task.
Ohio: The Bobcats aren't a great passing team, but they are an extremely physical team on both sides of the ball. Against another team that plays at a relatively slow pace in Troy, the Bobcats should be very comfortable if the Trojans want to make this a physical, run-heavy game. Ohio's run defense only allowed one opponent to average better than 3.3 yards per carry in its final nine games, whereas Troy's run defense was ranked highly in yards per game allowed but allowed over four yards per carry in three of its final four games.
Ohio won't want to see this turn into a passing battle, as Troy is better both passing the ball on offense and defending the pass, but if the Bobcats can keep this game at their pace, they will be in good shape.
Players to watch
Blair Brown, LB, Ohio: Brown is the Bobcats' defensive leader from his linebacker spot, pacing the team with 116 tackles. He's also second on the team in tackles for loss with 13.5. He flies around the field and is the catalyst for the Ohio run defense being as good as it is. Brown is the best player on a very good defense, and you can expect to hear his No. 33 called early and often.
Jordan Chunn, RB, Troy: The Trojans will have to try and find some success in the running game, and Chunn was their workhorse all season with 259 carries for 1,232 yards and 13 touchdowns. Ohio's rush defense is great, but Chunn will need to provide some balance for Troy on the ground. Even if the game plan is to attack Ohio's pass defense, the Trojans offense is predicated on having a balance in run and pass plays. Chunn even finding occasional long runs and picking his way to four or five yards a carry would be huge for Troy.
Prediction
Troy, to me, is the more complete team because of their ability to throw the ball and also defend the pass -- the Trojans are seventh in the nation in interceptions. These are two very strong defenses, and it won't surprise me if this is a one possession game throughout, but I'm going to lean towards the team I feel is better overall and that's Troy. Pick: Troy -3.5
