WHAT: South Alabama (0-1) vs. Southeastern Louisiana (0-1)

WHEN: 4 p.m., Saturday

WHERE: Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile

SERIES: First meeting

TV: None (ESPN+)

LINE: None

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: If South Alabama can avoid losing back-to-back games for the first time since 2021 and avoid its first 0-2 start since 2018.

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THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Will the Jaguars bounce back mentally after Tulane loss?

South Alabama put a lot of energy into its season-opener against the Green Wave, only to fall flat in a 37-17 loss. How quickly the Jaguars can flush that game and move on will help determine the course of their season. Southeastern Louisiana is an FCS program, but a good one, and won’t be a complete pushover.

2. Can South Alabama’s offense generate explosive plays?

The Jaguars’ longest play against Tulane went for just 20 yards, its longest run only 12. Receivers Caullin Lacy, Devin Voisin and Jamaal Pritchett weren’t able to get open down the field, while running backs La’Damian Webb and Kentrel Bullock never got loose on the perimeter. Doing so will be a priority this week.

3. Have the issues in the secondary been resolved?

It’s now two straight games (including last year’s New Orleans Bowl) that a veteran South Alabama defensive backfield has been riddled by an opposing passing game. The Jaguars play a “vision” defense, meaning its defensive backs read the opposing quarterback to determine where the ball is headed. But they’ve either guessed wrong or failed to execute more often than not of late.

KEY MATCHUP

South Alabama RB La’Damian Webb & Kentrel Bullock vs. SLU LBs Herman Christophe & Anthony Britton: The Jaguars would like to establish the running game after totaling just 75 yards against Tulane. Christophe and Britton combined for 19 tackles vs. Mississippi State, and will be tasked with keeping the powerful Webb and speedy Bullock from getting to the second level.

BY THE NUMBERS

9-1 — South Alabama’s record vs. FCS opponents since it joined the Sun Belt Conference in 2012. The Jaguars’ lone loss was 22-21 to Southern Utah to open the 2013 season.