FAMU football at Troy Trojans: Can the Rattlers get their first FBS win in decades?
Florida A&M football is playing up a level Saturday.
The Football Championship Subdivision Coaches Poll’s 20th-ranked Rattlers (2-1) meet the Troy Trojans (0-3), members of the Football Bowl Subdivision. The Week 4 showdown at Troy’s Veterans Memorial Stadium kicks off at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.
FAMU is coming off a bye week after starting its season 2-1. The Rattlers most recently lost at the Miami Hurricanes 56-9.
Troy is searching for its first win under first-year head coach Gerad Parker, starting the season 0-3. The Trojans last lost at Iowa 38-21.
Let’s meet the teams and predict Saturday’s FCS versus FBS matchup winner.
Florida A&M at Troy: Tale of the Tape
Records
FAMU (2-1) ― Last Game: L, 56-9 to Miami
Troy (0-3) ― Last Game, L, 38-21 to Iowa
Coaches
FAMU: James Colzie III (2-1)
Troy: Gerad Parker (0-9, 0-3 at Troy)
Players to Watch
FAMU: Daniel Richardson, Quarterback; Kendall Bohler, Cornerback
Troy: Devonte Ross, Wide Receiver; Brendan Jackson, Linebacker
Team Historical Accolades
FAMU: 17 claimed national championships (16 Black College, one NCAA Division I-AA)
Troy: 8-time Sun Belt Conference Champions
All-Time Series
Troy leads 4-2
Last Matchup
Troy 59, FAMU 7 (2018)
Meet the Teams: Florida A&M vs. Troy
FAMU and Troy have similar storylines of coming off championship seasons and are now under new leadership.
The Rattlers won the 2023 Black College Football National Championship, followed by their former head coach, Willie Simmons, leaving to become Duke’s running backs coach. James Colzie III replaced Simmons as the Rattlers’ 19th full-time head football coach.
The Trojans, led by Jon Sumrall, won their second consecutive Sun Belt Conference title. Sumrall left Troy to become Tulane’s head coach. Parker succeeded Sumrall at Troy.
FAMU is still finding its identity but was able to squeak out some comeback wins against Norfolk State (24-23) in Week 0 and South Carolina State (22-18) in Week 1. The Rattlers’ lone loss came against US LBM’s 11th-ranked Miami Hurricanes.
Troy hasn’t been so lucky, dropping its first three games versus Nevada, Memphis, and, most recently, Iowa.
Who will win? Florida A&M at Troy
FAMU is up against its second FBS opponent in Troy.
The Rattlers, one of the top FCS teams, have a realistic shot at defeating the winless Trojans.
FAMU is still a work in progress. But Troy still has a way to go for improvement, too, sitting winless through three games and having an unsettled quarterback situation.
But attrition will help Troy escape with a victory after a scare by FAMU.
Don’t be surprised if the Rattlers return to Tallahassee with their first FBS win since 1979, though. It’s more than possible.
Troy 38, FAMU 24
BOLD PREDICTION: FAMU will intercept Troy twice.
Florida A&M (2-1) at Troy (0-3) ― Week 4
When: Saturday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. Eastern Time
Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama
Broadcast: ESPN Plus
Tickets: Purchase Here
Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football or Troy Trojans? Predicting the winner of Saturday's game
