WHAT: Middle Tennessee State at Jacksonville State.

WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Wednesday.

WHERE: Burgess-Snow Field at AmFirst Stadium, Jacksonville.

SERIES: Middle Tennessee State leads 14-2-2.

TV: ESPN2.

LINE: Jacksonville State by 21.5.

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE:

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. How will Jax State’s run game handle key injuries?

While center Brock Robey’s injury was shared after the game against New Mexico State, which Rich Rodriguez confirmed during a news conference on Friday, Rodriguez shared on Friday running back Anwar Lewis has been dealing with an ankle injury and may not play against MTSU on Wednesday. While he didn’t believe it was going to keep him out, Clay Webb is also dealing with an injury but is expected to play. Tre Stewart, who has emerged as one of the top running backs in the Group of Five, will look to take a bigger workload alongside Georgia transfer Andrew Paul, while Daveion Harley will step into Robey’s role.

2. A battle of two top tight ends.

If nothing else, this game will feature two of the top tight ends in the Group of Five. Jacksonville State tight end Sean Brown, who has earned all-conference honors three seasons in a row, will head into this one with six receptions for 79 yards and a score. In an impressive couple of showings for the team’s run game, Brown has been one of the better-graded blockers in the league and has helped pave the way for the Gamecocks’ combined 718 yards of rushing in the last two games. MTSU tight end Holden Willis, who earned first team all-CUSA honors last season, currently has 33 catches for 491 and two touchdowns on the season. He’s proven to be one of the most consistent targets for the Blue Raiders, totaling at least 60 yards in each of the last six games.

3. Will quarterback Tyler Huff keep getting better?

It‘s beginning to sound like a broken record, but the Furman transfer continues to look more and more comfortable in this offense as the season goes on. The Gamecocks‘ latest blowout saw Huff complete 11 of his 18 passing attempts for 196 yards and two touchdowns, also running for 73 yards and a touchdown in the 54-13 thrashing of New Mexico State. Pro Football Focus graded Huff as the 11th-best quarterback to throw at least 10 passes in the Week 7 victory, with Huff now sitting at second among CUSA quarterbacks in efficiency behind Western Kentucky‘s Caden Veltkamp.

KEY MATCHUP

MTSU receiver Omari Kelly vs. Jax State’s secondary

If there’s one player to watch on the Blue Raiders’ offense, it’ll be a guy returning to his home state. Hewitt-Trussville High alum and former Auburn receiver Omari Kelly has continued to be a force for MTSU’s offense, currently leading CUSA in receptions (38) and receiving yards (651); he also earned CUSA special teams player of the week honors after returning a punt for a 61-yard touchdown against Kennesaw State.

BY THE NUMBERS

15 — Jacksonville State’s defense has gained 15 turnovers this season, which leads all teams in Conference USA.