Troy and North Texas, two former Sun Belt Conference foes with close ties on their coaching staffs, face each other Saturday in the R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
The Trojans hold an 8-2 edge in their series against North Texas, last played in 2012, the Mean Green's final year in the Sun Belt.
Troy (10-2) shared this year's Sun Belt championship with Appalachian State. North Texas (7-4) won Conference USA's Western Division title but fell 41-17 to East Division champion Florida Atlantic in the championship game on Dec. 2.
Trojans head coach Neal Brown and members of his staff share a bond with North Texas coach Seth Littrell.