WHAT: Troy (1-5, 0-2) at South Alabama (2-4, 1-1)

WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday

WHERE: Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile

SERIES: Troy leads 9-3

TV: ESPN2

LINE: South Alabama by 13.5

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE IF: Troy can continue its dominance in the series or if South Alabama can finally break a 6-game losing streak to its archrival.

RELATED: South Alabama seniors looking to finally bring ‘Belt’ back to Mobile

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Who will play quarterback for Troy?

The Trojans have started three different quarterbacks this season, and all three have left games due to injury at least once. Game 1 starter Goose Crowder is questionable at best to play Tuesday, though sophomore Tucker Kilcrease played fairly well vs. Texas State despite a bad ankle. Kilcrease and Matthew Caldwell began the game vs. the Bobcats in a rotation, but the bet here is Kilcrease takes nearly every snap on Tuesday.

2. Can South Alabama recapture its offensive explosiveness?

After posting 38, 87 and 48 points in their first three games this season with Gio Lopez at quarterback (he missed Week 2 vs. Ohio), the Jaguars have been held to 10 and 18 in their last two outings vs. LSU and Arkansas State. Lopez played well for the most part, but South Alabama did not run the ball with authority in either game. Troy has allowed 5.1 yards per carry by opponents this season, so look for the Jaguars to try to attack the Trojans on the ground.

3. Which team’s defense will perform best?

Troy ranks fifth in the Sun Belt in total defense and fourth in pass defense, but has been victimized in the running game. South Alabama is 10th in total defense and last in pass defense, but has been very solid vs. the run. Both teams have shown improvement as the year has gone on, though the Jaguars are still vulnerable to the big play. If there’s one place South Alabama has the edge, it’s in forcing turnovers (nine, to only four for Troy).

KEY MATCHUP

Troy WR Devonte Ross vs. South Alabama cornerbacks

Ross, who is tied for the Sun Belt lead in touchdown receptions (7) and is second in yards (565) has to have a big game for the Trojans to have a chance to win. Jaguars corners Amarion Fortenberry, Reggie Neely and Lardarius Webb will try to take him out of the game the way Texas State and ULM have in recent weeks (5 total receptions, 1 TD).

BY THE NUMBERS

0 — Times South Alabama has led in the second half during its 6-game losing streak to Troy. The Jaguars took 7-0 first-quarter leads in both 2021 and 2023, but the Trojans overtook them by halftime and never trailed again.