WHAT: Marshall (5-5, 2-4 Sun Belt) at South Alabama (5-5, 3-3)

WHEN: 4 p.m., Saturday

WHERE: Hancock Whitney Stadium

SERIES: First meeting

TV: None (ESPN+)

LINE: South Alabama by 10.5

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: If the Jaguars can reach a bowl game two straight years for the first time in program history.

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THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Can Jaguars take care of business with season on the line?

South Alabama needs only to win one of its final two games to reach bowl-eligibility, but it would take a great deal of pressure off to go ahead and get that done this week. The Jaguars have not played especially well at home this season outside of a midweek rout of Southern Miss, failing to put away less-talented teams on multiple occasions. Marshall has a solid roster, but South Alabama is favored by double-digits and needs to play like it for once.

2. Which team will run the ball more effectively?

South Alabama has been at its best when it can control the clock with the running game, and the Jaguars are as healthy as they have been all season after the return of Braylon McReynolds last week and the anticipated return of Kentrel Bullock this week to join season-long stalwart La’Damian Webb. Marshall is actually last in the Sun Belt in rushing yards per game, though Rasheen Ali has already reached the 1,000-yard mark and has 14 touchdowns. The Thundering Herd is also healthier than it has been in a while, and will no doubt lean on Ali to try and grind out a victory.

3. Who will play quarterback for Marshall?

Marshall benched Kam Fancher last week in favor or redshirt freshman Cole Pennington, who came through in a 38-33 victory over Georgia Southern that at least temporarily saved the Thundering Herd’s season. Fancher could be back this week, however, and he is the type of dual-threat quarterback who has given South Alabama trouble this season. He’s also thrown a league-high 14 interceptions, so the Jaguars will know doubt try to keep the pressure on him and force him to make mistakes.

KEY MATCHUP

Marshall RB Rasheen Ali vs. South Alabama linebackers — Ali is arguably the most-talented running back in the Sun Belt Conference, and the engine that makes the Thundering Herd offense go. Jaguar linebackers James Miller, Quentin Wilfawn and Trey Kiser will be tasked with keeping him from getting to the second level, where his breakaway speed could become a problem.

BY THE NUMBERS

9 — Consecutive games with at least one touchdown by South Alabama’s La’Damian Webb, one off Brandon Ross’ 2009-10 program record.