Troy and Jacksonville State both host non-conference opponents on Saturday before getting into the meat of conference play.

The Trojans host Western Kentucky in their final non-Sun Belt Conference game of the season. The Gamecocks welcome Eastern Michigan before beginning a stretch of five midweek Conference USA games.

Western Kentucky (2-1) at Troy (1-2), 11 a.m., ESPNU

The Trojans are looking to bounce back from a gut-wrenching loss to James Madison, which won 16-14 in Troy last weekend. The Hilltoppers come in having been blasted by Ohio State 63-10 a week ago.

RELATED: Troy in familiar spot after 3 games following close loss to JMU

Troy beat WKU 34-27 in Bowling Green, Ky., last season. However, this year’s Troy team has struggled with offensive consistency and with allowing big plays on defense.

Troy did welcome back All-Sun Belt defensive end T.J. Jackson last week after a two-game suspension. Western Kentucky quarterback Austin Reed has passed for 796 yards and seven touchdowns this year.

Eastern Michigan (2-1) at Jax State (2-1), 4 p.m., ESPN+

The Gamecocks had an open date last week, both to make correction from a two-touchdown loss to Coastal Carolina on Sept. 9 and to prepare for the visiting Eagles, a bowl team in four of the last five years.

RELATED: Jax State hosts Eastern Michigan in final game before schedule ‘flips’

Jax State continues to operate a two-quarterback system, with senior Zion Webb and Nebraska transfer Logan Smothers both working under center in the first three games. The Gamecocks will be without running back Ron Wiggins, who is likely out for the year with a chest/shoulder injury that required surgery.

Eastern Michigan suffered its only loss to Minnesota in Week 2, but has squeaked by Howard and UMass in its other games. Saturday’s game is the first-ever meeting and the first half of a home-and-home between the Gamecocks and Eagles, who will also play in Ypsilanti, Mich., in 2024.