WHAT: South Alabama (5-2, 2-1 Sun Belt) at Arkansas State (2-6, 1-4)

WHEN: 3 p.m., Saturday

WHERE: Centennial Bank Stadium, Jonesboro, Ark.

SERIES: Arkansas State leads 6-4

TV: ESPNU

LINE: South Alabama by 9.5

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: If South Alabama can pick up its sixth win and reach bowl-eligibility for the first since 2016.

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5 things we learned from South Alabama’s 10-6 loss to Troy

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Will South Alabama bounce back emotionally after Troy loss? The Jaguars had put a lot into the “Battle for the Belt,” but came up empty for the fifth straight year in a 10-6 loss at Hancock Whitney Stadium on Oct. 20. That defeat knocked them out of first place in the Sun Belt West, making their path to a division championship more difficult. On paper, they should handle Arkansas State, but they’ll need to begin the game in the correct frame of mind to do so.

2. Will Jaguars exploit Red Wolves through the air sans Tolbert? Jalen Tolbert made a career out of terrorizing Arkansas State, totaling 23 receptions, 490 yards and nine touchdowns the last three seasons. However, Tolbert is now in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, so someone else will have to carry the receiving load. Could it be Jalen Wayne? Devin Voisin? Caullin Lacy? Any and all are possibilities vs. a gambling Red Wolves secondary.

3. Can South Alabama show more balance offensively?

The Jaguars’ running game was virtually non-existent vs. Troy, totaling just 31 yards on the ground and leaving the offense one-dimensional for most of the game. Troy was able to sit back in its zone to take away the big passing play, allowing South Alabama to work the underneath routes but never get loose at the second level. More push on the ground vs. Arkansas State would go a long way toward the Jaguars’ offensive explosiveness returning this week.

KEY MATCHUP

South Alabama QB Carter Bradley vs. Arkansas State secondary: Bradley is in the process of re-writing the Jaguars’ passing record book, while the Red Wolves have allowed 21 touchdowns through the air this season. Look for Bradley to test Arkansas State’s DBs early and often.

BY THE NUMBERS

3 — South Alabama’s winning streak vs. Arkansas State, the longest against any Sun Belt opponent in program history.