Explore · Settle the Argument

Settle the Argument.

You've already had it. Now go settle it.

Every card here starts with something fans actually say — then runs it against the same canonical Verdict projection that ranks the board. Matchup Central predicts the game. This settles the argument.

The argument everybody has

“Put them through our schedule and see what happens.”

TRADE SCHEDULES

Swap two schedules, same venues, and run both seasons out. Who was carrying a schedule, and who was being carried by one.

Team
Trade with
TROY
Troy

Forgiving schedule of their own · South Alabama's is forgiving

Was
6-5
On South Alabama's schedule
5-6
-0.5 wins
Expected wins now
5.2
Was
5.7
Where it lands
6+42%
USA
South Alabama

Forgiving schedule of their own · Troy's is forgiving

Was
4-7
On Troy's schedule
5-6
+0.5 wins
Expected wins now
4.8
Was
4.3
Where it lands
6+31%
Who benefits
South Alabama
+0.5 expected wins

South Alabama picks up about half a win on Troy's slate.

Who gets hurt
Troy
−0.5 expected wins

Troy gives back about half a win on South Alabama's slate.

The game that changes everything

Vs Southern Miss

Week 6 · Troy's schedule
TROY
Troy
50%
to win · a coin flip on the number
USA
South Alabama
40%
to win · Southern Miss by 4
10-point probability gap

Troy is 10 points likelier to win that game than South Alabama. Small on paper. It shows up in the record.

Troy · toughest games they inherit
At
UK
Kentucky
15%
At
TULN
Tulane
18%
At
MRSH
Marshall
43%
5 games on South Alabama's slate they would not have played.
South Alabama · toughest games they inherit
At
MIZ
Missouri
6%
At
JMU
James Madison
18%
At
USU
Utah State
25%
4 games on Troy's slate they would not have played.
The record test
Troy: The record will flatter them · No. 100 strength / No. 77 projected wins
South Alabama: Record and reality line up · No. 121 strength / No. 121 projected wins
The verdict
It's closer than the argument sounds.

Neither schedule is worth a full win to the other team — Troy -0.5, South Alabama +0.5 — even where the likeliest record tips over.

Each team is run through the other's exact schedule, same venues. Head-to-head games between the two are set aside so both slates are the same size. 11 of 12 games modeled. Troy and South Alabama play each other, so that game is set aside — neither team can inherit itself.

More arguments to settle

2026 Preseason Model · Partial roster evidence · data as of 2026-07-11. QB continuity and verified personnel changes are included. Returning-production and updated coaching data are still pending. Projections are model estimates for analysis, not guarantees.

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