WHAT: Coastal Carolina (4-3, 1-2 Sun Belt) at Troy (1-7, 0-4)

WHEN: 3 p.m., Saturday

WHERE: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Troy

SERIES: Tied 3-3

TV: None (ESPN+)

LINE: Coastal Carolina by 4.5

RELATED: Troy hoping Arkansas State ‘near miss’ a sign of life for remainder of season

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE IF: Troy can end its drought against FBS competition, which has now reached eight straight games dating to last season’s Birmingham Bowl.

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Will Troy’s Matthew Caldwell go the distance at quarterback again?

Caldwell played every offensive snap for the Trojans in last week’s 34-31 loss to Arkansas State, just the third time this season Troy had made it through a game using only one quarterback. Goose Crowder is out for the season and Tucker Kilcrease has been banged up, so this might be Caldwell’s show going forward. The former walk-on passed for 304 yards and two touchdowns last week, but also threw three interceptions — including one in the final seconds with the Trojans on the verge of field-goal range.

2. Can the Trojans get a lead and hold it this time?

Troy has led an FBS opponent in the fourth quarter just twice this season, but one has to wonder how the season might look had the Trojans been able to hold on against Louisiana-Monroe and Arkansas State. The loss to the Red Wolves was particularly galling, as the Trojans overcame a 23-3 halftime deficit to take a 31-26 lead in the final two minutes, only to give it up via a long touchdown drive. Troy also fell short in a comeback vs. Nevada in the season-opener, so it’s fair to say Gerad Parker’s team is just a few plays away from being 4-4.

3. Who will play quarterback for Coastal Carolina?

Chanticleers coach Tim Beck fired offensive coordinator Travis Trickett and will assume play-calling duties this week, but did not indicate who will be his starting quarterback going forward. Sophomore Ethan Vasko started the first eight games of the season, but was pulled in favor of Michigan State transfer Noah Kim in the second quarter of a 34-24 loss to Louisiana last time out. Vasko threw for 367 yards and two touchdowns vs. Old Dominion on Oct. 5, but is just 8-for-28 passing the last two weeks.

KEY MATCHUP

Troy WR Devonte Ross vs. Coastal Carolina secondary

Ross leads the Sun Belt Conference in receiving yards (751) and touchdowns (8) despite being the focus of every opposing defense. The Chanticleers have allowed 15 touchdown passes with just four interceptions this season, so perhaps Ross will have another big game after catching 11 passes for 126 yards last week vs. Arkansas State.

BY THE NUMBERS

6 — Different offensive line combinations for Troy in eight games this season. Only left tackle Elijah Prather has started all every game at the same position among Trojans linemen in 2024.