Bowl projections: Troy returns to the board after stunning James Madison in overtime

You're back on the board, Troy fans — and Mobile is still waiting.

Diehard Sports Network projects Troy to play Buffalo in the 68 Ventures Bowl on Dec. 26 in Mobile — 170 miles from campus. On3's Brett McMurphy is the only other projector with the Trojans in a bowl, also projecting the 68 Ventures Bowl but with Middle Tennessee as the opponent. Six of eight projectors do not have Troy on their boards. Troy is 4-4 overall, 2-2 in the Sun Belt and two wins from bowl eligibility with four games remaining.

Troy dropped off the Diehard board a week ago after falling to 3-4, then earned its way back with a stunning overtime comeback at James Madison.

Where the bowl projections have Troy

Projector | Bowl | Date | TV | Matchup

Brett McMurphy (On3) | 68 Ventures | Dec. 26 | ESPN | Troy vs. Middle Tennessee

Brad Crawford (CBS Sports) | — | — | — | Not projected

Bryan Fischer (SI.com) | — | — | — | Not projected

Steven Lassan (Athlon Sports) | — | — | — | Not projected

Kyle Bonagura (ESPN) | — | — | — | Not projected

Mark Schlabach (ESPN) | — | — | — | Not projected

Pete Fiutak (CFN) | — | — | — | Not projected

Tim Stephens (Diehard) | 68 Ventures | Dec. 26 | ESPN | Troy vs. Buffalo

Both projectors who have Troy agree on the 68 Ventures Bowl in Mobile. On3's Brett McMurphy has Middle Tennessee as the opponent. Diehard has Buffalo (5-3, 3-1 MAC), which is on a three-game winning streak. The 68 Ventures Bowl carries a CUSA/MAC/Sun Belt tie-in.

Where they stand

Troy is 2-2 in the Sun Belt West after the overtime win at James Madison. Louisiana Tech leads the division at 4-0 in conference play. Louisiana, South Alabama, Arkansas State and Southern Miss are all 2-2 alongside the Trojans.

Remaining schedule

Troy needs two wins from four remaining games to reach bowl eligibility.

• Nov. 7 — Louisiana Tech (6-2, 4-0 Sun Belt)
• Nov. 14 — at South Alabama (4-4, 2-2 Sun Belt)
• Nov. 21 — Georgia Southern (4-4, 3-1 Sun Belt)
• Nov. 28 — at Arkansas State (4-4, 2-2 Sun Belt)

This is a gauntlet. Louisiana Tech is the Sun Belt West leader and comes to Troy riding a five-game winning streak. The last three opponents — South Alabama, Georgia Southern and Arkansas State — are all fighting for bowl eligibility themselves, which means each of those games carries urgency on both sides. Two road trips (South Alabama and Arkansas State) and two home games (Louisiana Tech and Georgia Southern) give Troy an even split. The Trojans have shown that when they are playing at their best, they can beat anyone in this league, home or away. They will need to prove it again.