WHAT: South Alabama (2-2, 0-0 Sun Belt) at James Madison (4-0, 1-0)

WHEN: 11 a.m., Saturday

WHERE: Bridgeforth Stadium, Harrisonburg, Va.

SERIES: First meeting

TV: ESPNU

LINE: James Madison by 3

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: If South Alabama can stay on pace for a second straight 10-win regular season.

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THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Which South Alabama team will show up this time?

The Jaguars played a near-perfect game two weeks ago, pummeling Oklahoma State 33-7 on the road. And for most of the first quarter last week, they looked like they were going to do the same against Central Michigan. However, a two-quarter lull undid things for South Alabama, which lost 34-30 on a touchdown with 13 seconds left. The Jaguars have shown they can play four quality quarters against good opposition, but we’ll see if they can do it against the Dukes.

2. Will Jaguars’ defense be able to get off the field at key times?

Part of the problem in the loss against Central Michigan was repeated defensive failures on third down. The Chippewas converted 9 of 16 third-down chances, including 5 of 6 at one stretch mid-game (and the one they missed, they picked up the fourth down conversion). South Alabama also failed to force a turnover for the first time all season last week, and can’t live like that if it wants to beat James Madison.

3. Can Caullin Lacy continue his dominant recent run?

Lacy is on a serious heater for the Jaguars, with three straight 100-yard games including five touchdowns. That’s been especially key given that fellow veteran receiver Devin Voisin was lost for the season with a knee injury in Week 2. Teams will eventually start double-covering Lacy the way they once did former Jaguar Jalen Tolbert, so Lacy’s teammates — Jamaal Pritchett, Javon Ivory and the tight ends — will have to be counted on at some point.

KEY MATCHUP

South Alabama center Reggie Smith vs. James Madison nose guard James Carpenter: The Dukes have been nearly impossible to run on this year, and Carpenter is the linchpin in the middle of the defensive line. Smith and the Jaguars’ guards will need to keep him from blowing up running plays before they can develop.

BY THE NUMBERS

26-2 — James Madison’s record at home under fifth-year coach Curt Cignetti. The Dukes’ only losses in Harrisonburg in that time have been to Marshall last season and Villanova in 2021.