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Big 12 Football: Consider adding these 6 programs if recent results matter

By John Scimeca

Nov 5, 2022; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback J.T. Shrout (5) prepares to pass the ball in the first quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2022; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback J.T. Shrout (5) prepares to pass the ball in the first quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 16: RaJae’ Johnson #0 and Carlton Martial #2 of the Troy Trojans hold the trophy after defeating the UTSA Roadrunners by a score of 18 to 12 to win the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl at Exploria Stadium on December 16, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 16: RaJae’ Johnson #0 and Carlton Martial #2 of the Troy Trojans hold the trophy after defeating the UTSA Roadrunners by a score of 18 to 12 to win the Duluth Trading Cure Bowl at Exploria Stadium on December 16, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

5. Troy Trojans

Troy is an unusual candidate for major conference realignment considering that the program has only been playing at the FBS level since 2001. The school is located in a small town in southeast Alabama and plays in a stadium that barely fits 30,000 spectators.

Troy certainly punches above its weight, however. The program claims three national titles from its time as an NAIA and NCAA Division II member prior to the move to Division I.

In the past decade, the Trojans have defeated power conference teams such as Nebraska and LSU and came close to knocking off eventual national champion Clemson in Week 2 of the 2016 season. Despite a three-year run of 10-plus wins in each season from 2016 to 2018, Troy reached its highest-ever AP ranking last year at No. 19 after a 12-2 season and a 45-26 defeat of Coastal Carolina for the Sun Belt title.

Troy has its share of stars, too — take a look at linebacker Carlton Martial, who set the NCAA all-time tackles record in 2022 after a 22-tackle performance in a 10-9 win against Army. Troy’s defense last season allowed only 327 yards per game, a Top 20 unit in the nation. The Trojans only allowed their opponents last season 17.1 points per game, the 8th-best mark in the country.

With its proximity to the recruiting hotbeds of Alabama, the Atlanta metro area, and the Florida panhandle, Troy is a football program that grows more nationally competitive in a more high-profile conference. After all, Central Florida could use a geographic partner in Troy as a member of the new-look Big 12.

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