WHAT: Nevada (0-1) at Troy (0-0)

WHEN: 6 p.m., Saturday

WHERE: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Troy

SERIES: First meeting

TV: None (ESPN+)

LINE: Troy by 9

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: How smooth a transition Troy will make to new head coach Gerad Parker, who takes over for the departed (and highly successful) Jon Sumrall.

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. How will Goose Crowder look making his first college start?

Crowder barely played behind veteran Gunnar Watson last season, but has experience in Parker’s style of offense from his days at West Virginia. The junior from Gardendale has some veteran receivers to throw to, including wideout Devonte Ross and tight end Ethan Conner. But given the overall lack of experience on the Trojan team, Crowder needs to be a difference-maker.

2. Will Troy’s young defense be able to grow up in a hurry?

The Trojans return a grand total of 18 starts to this year’s team, and only inside linebacker Jordan Stringer finished last season as a starter among the program veterans. Troy has put some of the best defenses in the Group of 5 on the field in the last few years, and it will be interesting to see what new coordinator Dontae Wright (another former West Virginia assistant) cooks up in Week 1.

3. Will Nevada having already played a game be an advantage?

The Wolf Pack were in action last Saturday in Week Zero, losing 29-24 to SMU in a game they led after three quarters. Nevada will at least have had a chance to knock the rust off and make corrections before Saturday, an advantage Troy does not have. On the plus side, the Trojans have been able to study a game’s worth of film on their opponent, something Nevada wasn’t able to do.

KEY MATCHUP

Troy offensive line vs. Nevada defensive line

The Trojan’s offensive line is one of the few experienced units on the team, while the Wolf Pack allowed SMU to gain just 2.9 yards per carry last week. Parker’s Notre Dame offense ran the ball on 56% of its snaps last year, so look for the Trojans to try and establish a ground game.

BY THE NUMBERS

23 — Troy’s total victories the last two seasons, tied with Alabama, Florida State and Tulane for fourth-most among FBS programs. Only Georgia (28), Michigan (28) and Washington (25) have more.