WHAT: Troy (5-2, 2-1 Sun Belt) at Texas State (5-2, 2-1)

WHEN: 6 p.m., Saturday

WHERE: Bobcat Stadium, San Marcos, Texas

SERIES: Troy leads 12-1

TV: None (ESPN+)

LINE: Troy by 5.5

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: If Troy can extend its four-game winning streak and maintain at least a share of first place in the Sun Belt Conference West Division.

RELATED STORY: First place on line as Troy travels to Texas State for ‘ring’ game

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Will Kimani Vidal become the Trojans’ all-time leading rusher?

Vidal needs 142 rushing yards to break the Troy program record of 3,441, set by DeWhit Betterson Sr. from 2001-04. The senior from Marietta, Ga., is leading the country in rushing this season with 951 yards in seven games, or 135.9 per game, so he needs to go a little above his average to make Trojans history. Texas State allows an average of 161.6 yards per game, so odds are in Vidal’s favor.

2. Can Troy’s defense continue its recent chokehold of opposing offenses?

Trojans coach Jon Sumrall is on-record as saying his team isn’t really playing all that great on defense, allowing too many explosive plays and performing poorly on third down. But the proof of Troy’s defensive dominance is on the scoreboard, as the Trojans have allowed a total of 10 points in their last three games. Texas State leads the conference in scoring offense (38.3 points per game), so this game will likely be Troy’s ultimate test.

3. Will Texas State prove it belongs in Sun Belt championship race?

The Bobcats are one win from bowl-eligibility and enjoying arguably their best season as an FBS program, but it’s worth noting that their only victory over a team with a winning record came against FCS opponent Jackson State. Otherwise, Texas State has beaten up on the likes of Baylor (3-4), Nevada (1-6), Southern Miss (1-6) and Louisiana-Monroe (2-5). Saturday’s game vs. the defending Sun Belt champion Trojans is the Bobcats’ chance to show they are legitimate title contenders.

KEY MATCHUP

Troy defensive line vs. Texas State QB T.J. Finley: Finley is 6-foot-7 and 255 pounds and exceedingly difficult to tackle, but the Trojans have three of the best pass-rushers in the Sun Belt conference in Richard Jibunor, Javon Solomon and T.J. Jackson. How often Troy is able to knock down or sack Finley on Saturday will be interesting to watch.

BY THE NUMBERS

10 — Total points allowed by Troy in its last three games combined. The Trojans beat Georgia State 28-7, Arkansas State 37-3 and Army 19-0.