The Sun Belt Conference will be in the spotlight on Thursday night as Troy takes on Old Dominion in a critical college football matchup. The game is significant for both teams, with Troy aiming to maintain its aspirations for a conference title.
Troy enters the contest with a record of 4-1, sitting in second place in the West Division of the Sun Belt. The Trojans have a chance to control their destiny, as their season finale is against Southern Miss, currently at the top of the division with a perfect 5-0 record. On the other hand, Old Dominion is unlikely to challenge James Madison in the East Division, but the Monarchs are targeting a nine-win season if they can secure a victory against Troy.
Oddsmakers have set an intriguing line for the game, with Old Dominion favored by 10.5 points despite both teams having identical records of 6-3. This disparity in the betting market suggests skepticism regarding Troy”s ability to match Old Dominion”s offensive prowess. The Monarchs have notable victories against teams like Liberty and Virginia Tech, and they also performed reasonably well against Indiana.
Although Troy has faced tough opponents, including a competitive showing against Clemson and a respectable performance against Memphis, their offense has struggled. Currently, Troy ranks 125th in yards per play and 73rd in points per game, with their overall offensive efficiency rated 90th in the Football Bowl Subdivision. In contrast, Old Dominion boasts a significantly more effective offense, ranking 12th in yards per play and 21st in total yards per game.
Troy”s defense is somewhat more respectable, but it does not rise to elite status. Old Dominion has demonstrated the ability to score against various opponents this season, and if they come prepared for this matchup, they could widen the gap against the Trojans.
Given these factors, the recommendation is to bet on Old Dominion at -10.5. This line reflects a belief that Troy”s offense will struggle to keep pace with the Monarchs” dynamic attack.
Michael Leboff of the New York Post, an experienced sports bettor, emphasizes the importance of game theory for bettors looking to gain an edge in various sports markets.
