WHAT: Troy (9-2, 6-1 Sun Belt) at Southern Miss (3-8, 2-5)

WHEN: 11 a.m., Saturday

WHERE: M.M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, Miss.

SERIES: Southern Miss leads 8-4

TV: ESPNU

LINE: Troy by 16.5

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: If Troy can lock up the chance to host the Sun Belt Conference championship game on Dec. 2, which it would do with a win.

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THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Can Troy continue its metronome-like consistency?

The Trojans are among the most mentally tough teams in the country, as it appears nothing phases them. They’ve gotten to some poor starts this season, only to storm back in the second half and win going away more often than not. Troy has shown in two years under coach Jon Sumrall that it gets better as the game and the season go along, the sign of a well-coached team.

2. Will Gunnar Watson continue his nearly flawless play?

Watson has been a revelation for the Trojans this season, and is currently riding a streak of 194 consecutive passes without an interception. The sixth-year senior has a decent shot to be named Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year, which is amazing to consider given that he temporarily lost his starting job during both the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Watson is now locked in, and as big a reason as any Troy has been on such a roll lately.

3. Will Kimani Vidal run wild vs. the Golden Eagles?

The Trojans have thrown to win in recent weeks, but might change the philosophy vs. the Golden Eagles, who have the worst run defense in the Sun Belt. Vidal, a Doak Walker Award finalist, has run for 1,280 yards (fifth nationally) and eight scores this season. Southern Miss allows 185.2 yards per game on the ground, and has given up 27 rushing touchdowns.

KEY MATCHUP

Troy front seven vs. Southern Miss offensive line — Troy’s Javon Solomon has been on a pass-rushing tear of late, with seven sacks in his last two games and 13 this year. And should the Golden Eagles be able to get Solomon blocked, they’d just have to deal with Richard Jibunor, who has nine sacks himself this season.

BY THE NUMBERS

14 — Consecutive games with at least one passing touchdown for Watson, who also has 13 touchdowns passes in Troy’s last four games. He had 14 all season in 2022.