The Southern Jaguars open the 2021 year after a 5-1 shortened season. Southern will again lean heavily on the running game with an elusive QB and a high talent running back. Ladarius Skelton is the teams QB and most dangerous weapon with his ability to pick defenses apart through the air or run around them with his speed and will lead this team as far as he can go.
Southern has a good defense that caused problems for opponents in 2020 with the ability to disrupt the passing game and stifle the run. There are several pieces that have to be replaced heading into 2021 but the defensive depth is there and a tune up type game against Troy will do Southern good heading into the rest of the year.
Troy comes into 2021 after a lackluster 5-6 season in 2020. The offense was the biggest hurdle for Troy last year going completely MIA at times as the ball seemed to be stuck in places. Gunnar Watson had a good year and will be back under center looking to lead the Trojans back to promise in 2021. Troy will lead on a 1-2 punch at running back with veteran BJ Smith back on the field as well as youngster Kimani Vidal getting the bulk of the carries.
Defensively Troy has a huge defensive upside as all 11 starters will return with a bad taste in their mouth from last year. The linebacking core will lead this team with a deep rotation of hard hitting head hunters fast enough to play sideline to sideline. The secondary will be able to pick up any slack from the defense leading to a big year in 2021.
