WHAT: South Alabama (6-2, 3-1 Sun Belt) at Georgia Southern (5-3, 2-2)

WHEN: 3 p.m., Saturday

WHERE: Paulson Stadium, Statesboro, Ga.

SERIES: Georgia Southern leads 7-1

TV: None (streaming via ESPN+)

LINE: South Alabama by 3.5

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: If South Alabama can pick up its seventh victory of the year, which would set a program record and clinch a first-ever winning season.

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THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Can Jaguars slow down high-flying Panthers?

After decades as a triple-option team that rarely threw the ball, Georgia Southern is now airing it out more than 45 times per game this season under first-year coach Clay Helton. South Alabama’s defense has been very good, but has a tendency to get victimized through the air on occasion. Louisiana-Monroe lit up the Jaguars for 371 yards and four touchdowns, and the Panthers will surely try to do the same.

2. Will South Alabama run game continue its surge?

After a pair of games where it was virtually non-existent, the Jaguars’ rushing attack returned with a vengeance behind a finally healthy La’Damian Webb last week vs. Arkansas State. Webb ran 69 yards on the first play from scrimmage, part of a career-best 163-yard, three-touchdown day from the junior-college transfer. Georgia Southern allows a league-worst 210 yards per game on the ground, so look for the Jaguars to ground and pound at least early.

3. Can Jaguars get another road ‘monkey’ off their backs?

A program once famous for its road struggles — the Jaguars lost 15 straight away from home from 2017-19 — has suddenly become confident and capable in opposing venues. The Jaguars are 3-1 on the road this season, with wins at Central Michigan, Louisiana and Arkansas State, plus a one-point loss at UCLA. South Alabama’s win in Lafayette was the first in school history, and the Jaguars could erase more of frustration with a win on Saturday in Statesboro, where they are 0-4 all-time.

KEY MATCHUP

Georgia Southern QB Kyle Vantrease vs. South Alabama DB Yam Banks: Vantrease leads the Sun Belt in passing yards, attempts and completions this season, but has also thrown 12 interceptions. Banks has been a real ballhawk from the Husky (nickel) safety position, with four interceptions and five pass breakups.

BY THE NUMBERS

45-12 — Average margin of victory for Georgia Southern over South Alabama in four games in Statesboro, including wins of 55-17, 52-0 and 48-13.