WHAT: Troy (5-2, 3-1 Sun Belt) at South Alabama (5-1, 2-0)

WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Thursday

WHERE: Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile

SERIES: Troy leads 7-3

TV: ESPNU

LINE: South Alabama by 3

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: First place in the Sun Belt Conference West Division and the inside track for a berth in the league championship game.

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THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Old friends Kane Wommack, Jon Sumrall to match wits South Alabama’s Wommack and Troy’s Sumrall both came up as linebackers coaches, and both were Power 5 defensive coordinators — Wommack at Indiana, Sumrall at Kentucky — before landing their first head-coaching jobs. The two are not only good friends, but high-energy motivators. This will be the first of what should be a number of chances to challenge each other directly, either in the Sun Belt or elsewhere.

2. Which Troy quarterback will take the most snaps?

Sumrall has said both Gunnar Watson and Jarret Doege are available this week, though Doege finished up last week’s win over Texas State after Watson left the game following a hard hit in the third quarter. The Troy offense has appeared more consistent with Doege (a one-time starter at West Virginia) at the controls, as Watson has been prone to mistakes (he’s thrown seven interceptions this season).

3. Can South Alabama handle Troy’s active front seven?

The Trojans make their living off explosive defensive plays — sacks, tackles for losses, interceptions, fumbles, etc. Richard Jibunor, T.J. Jackson, Will Choloh, Buddha Jones and others have been nightmares for opposing offense this year. The Jaguars’ offensive line is much improved, but faces arguably their biggest challenge of the year. Louisiana’s defensive front was stout as well, and South Alabama had trouble moving the ball all night in that game.

KEY MATCHUP

South Alabama RT Adrein Strickland vs. Troy DE T.J. Jackson: Strickland has looked like a future star in his first season as a starter for the Jaguars, leading an improved offensive line that is starting to get some national recognition. Jackson has 11.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks this season as part of a havoc-wreaking Trojans defensive front.

BY THE NUMBERS

505 — Career tackles for Troy’s Carlton Martial, 40 off the all-time FBS record held by former Northwestern linebacker Tim McGarigle.