WHAT: Louisiana (4-3, 1-2 Sun Belt) at South Alabama (4-3, 2-1)

WHEN: 4 p.m., Saturday

WHERE: Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile

SERIES: Louisiana leads 8-3

TV: None (ESPN+)

LINE: South Alabama by 10.5

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: If South Alabama can maintain a share of first place in the Sun Belt West Division.

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THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Can Jaguars continue four-quarter dominance?

South Alabama outscored Southern Miss and Louisiana 110-10 in its last two games, arguably the two most dominant performances of the Kane Wommack era. Louisiana is a much, much better team than either, so it’s unlikely we’ll see such a lopsided score on Saturday. However, the Jaguars have shown when they play to their potential for a full game, they can beat anyone on their schedule.

2. Can South Alabama contain dynamic Louisiana QB Zeon Criss?

Criss has been a dual-threat performer in his first season as the Ragin’ Cajuns’ starter, the type of quarterback that has given the Jaguars problems this season. South Alabama had trouble containing Central Michigan’s Jase Bauer and James Madison’s Jalen McCloud when they got out of the pocket, and Louisiana will certainly try to put the ball in Criss’ hands in some run-pass option situations.

3. What’s the crowd going to look like?

The Jaguars drew 23,478 for a Tuesday night game against Southern Miss last time out, the second-largest crowd in the history of Hancock Whitney Stadium. Can a red-hot South Alabama team replicate that atmosphere on Saturday? Louisiana should bring a decent contingent of fans, and Alabama (which tends to keep people home watching TV) is on a bye week, so there’s no reason they can’t.

KEY MATCHUP

South Alabama linebackers vs. Louisiana running game: The Ragin’ Cajuns lead Sun Belt in rushing at 216.1 yards per game, with both Criss and starting running back Jacob Kibodi averaging better than seven yards per carry. South Alabama allows a little over 100 yards rushing per game, and James Miller, Trey Kiser, Khalil Jacobs and company will need to keep Criss and Kibodi from getting to the second level.

BY THE NUMBERS

5 — Total points by which South Alabama’s games with Louisiana have been decided the last two years. The Ragin’ Cajuns won 20-18 in Mobile in 2021, while the Jaguars won 20-17 in Lafayette in 2022.