As a proud graduate of Troy University, I cannot say how excited I am about the upcoming Trojan season. Our Trojans face the hardest slate of teams in the university's history. While we may pull for those other universities, I'm partial to the ones of the Plains, my heart still belongs to Troy.

I usually don't attempt to predict who will win these games because I'm usually wrong. Back in 2001, while I was assistant metro editor at The Montgomery Advertiser, I watched along with a roomful of folks at the paper as the still-named Troy State defeated Mississippi State. I actually made the comment that if Troy won, I'd buy pizza for everyone on duty that Saturday. Well, later that afternoon, I paid out about $150 for pizzas. There I doubted my Trojans and I've regretted it ever sense.

So here I sit, pondering this season and I've decided to put my predictions for the season down on paper. Here goes nothing.

Troy at Arkansas. Well they're playing Arkansas and while I'd love nothing else for the Trojans to go to Fayetteville and slaughter some hogs, I don't see it happening. I do think Troy will hold them to some decent score and be the team that everyone watching will turn and say, &#8220Troy who?”

ArkansasŠ21 TroyŠ10

Troy at Florida. Can you imagine if Auburn or Alabama opened their seasons against Arkansas and then Florida? Well the Trojans stay on the world traveling to the swamp. I think the crowd there will be as big an obstacle as the Gators.

And sadly, while it will give Troy another notch on the name recognition scale, they won't be able to pull one through.

FloridaŠ35 TroyŠ14

Louisiana-Monroe at Troy. This was always one of my favorite games to attend when I went to Troy. The game is always a good match-up and this year will be no different. I do think the Trojans will need these games to keep them grounded from their playing with elite. And because of that grounding, I believe Troy will be victorious.

TroyŠ27 LSU-Monroe 10

Troy at Georgia. After two years of living in Georgia I can tell you that I totally despise the Bulldogs. Not only do they have an arrogant team, but their fans were some of the most obnoxious people you'd want to meet. A few years ago when Auburn was in Athens and the Dawgs were beating them for nearly the whole game and in the last few minutes, I sat amongst Georgia's fans as they yelled their fool heads off. Of course, Auburn turned the tables in the last few minutes and I was the only one yelling in a sea of thousands.

The important thing that Troy could capitalize on is Georgia will get cocky about Troy's visit. If the Trojans can keep their heads about them while playing over the hedges, they could pull out a stunner.

TroyŠ10 UGAŠ7

Oklahoma State at Troy. So how cool is it that OSU is coming to Trojan Country. I think the Trojan nation will show up in force and show this Midwest team what good ole-fashioned southern football is all about. I think by this time, Troy will be over the timid attitude about playing these big-name schools and will pull off a stunner in their home stadium.

TroyŠ14

OSUŠ10

Well I know there are more games, but I feel like Troy will handle those with ease since they are old opponents. So I'm saying I believe they will finish the season 9-2. I also believe they'll once more go bowling and it will be a bigger one than last year. We just have to have faith in our Trojans.

Finally, as you'll notice today, we have Colin &#8220Big C' MacGuire writing about the University of Alabama program and David Scott talking Tiger football. We need a regular columnist to give their thoughts each week on Troy. If you have a knack for writing and a love for Trojan football, then call me. We'd love to add you to our Wednesday lineup.

Jay Thomas is managing editor of the Greenville Advocate and can be reached at 334-382-3111, ext. 136 or via email at jay.thomas@greenvilleadvocate.com. Read his previous columns at www.greenvilleadvocate.com