WHAT: South Alabama (1-2) at Appalachian State (2-1)

WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Thursday

WHERE: Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone, N.C.

SERIES: App State leads 4-1

TV: ESPN

LINE: App State by 7

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE IF: South Alabama can even its overall record and get off to a 1-0 start in conference play.

RELATED: South Alabama, App State could both air it out Thursday night

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Will Gio Lopez-led South Alabama offense remain explosive?

The Jaguars have scored nearly at will in the two games Lopez has played, putting 38 points on the board against North Texas before erupting for a Sun Belt record 87 vs. hapless Northwestern State last week. Don’t look for a repeat of that performance, but the South Alabama offense is legitimately good with Lopez, running backs Kentrel Bullock and Fluff Bothwell and a receiving corps led by Jamaal Pritchett.

2. Can South Alabama’s defense keep it in the game?

The Jaguars’ defense got lit up for 52 points by North Texas and then couldn’t get off the field enough in a 27-20 loss to Ohio, and neither of those teams were as across-the-board talented as the Mountaineers. App State has had trouble consistently scoring this year, but head coach Shawn Clark and quarterback Joey Aguilar will certainly put the Jaguars to the test on Thursday night.

3. Will two extra days of rest/practice help the Jaguars?

South Alabama deliberately pushed back the Northwestern State game to Thursday night so that it would have two extra days of preparation for App State, which played against East Carolina on Saturday. The additional rest and practice can only help the Jaguars; the question is, how much?

KEY MATCHUP

App State QB Joey Aguilar vs. South Alabama secondary

Aguilar is averaging more than 320 yards per game passing and the Jaguars have been vulnerable to the explosive play through the air this season. Aguilar spreads the ball around, so South Alabama’s entire defense will have to be ready.

BY THE NUMBERS

17 — South Alabama’s total points in its last three games against Appalachian State, losses of 31-7 in 2021, 30-3 in 2019 and 52-7 in 2018.