WHAT: Troy (7-2, 4-1) at Louisiana-Monroe (2-7, 0-5)

WHEN: 1 p.m., Saturday

WHERE: Malone Stadium, Monroe, La.

SERIES: Troy leads 11-8-1

TV: None (ESPN+)

LINE: Troy by 21.5

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: If Troy can extend its winning streak to seven games and stay alone in first place in the Sun Belt Conference West Division.

RELATED: Troy looks to take another step toward Sun Belt West title

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Can Gunnar Watson continue playing the best football of his career?

Watson has been on fire of late, throwing three touchdowns with no interceptions in each of his last two games, wins over South Alabama and Texas State. It’s been quite a turnaround for the sixth-year senior, who up until this season was regarded as merely an average Sun Belt quarterback. But he’s putting together an all-conference type season through nine games, with 2,434 yards and 17 touchdowns with just four interceptions (and none in his last four games).

2. Will Trojans continue to play smothering defense?

Troy has allowed just three offensive touchdowns vs. Sun Belt competition this season, and leads the conference in several categories including total defense, passing defense, scoring defense and third-down defense. The Trojans have been especially dominant in the second half of late, allowing just nine total points in the final two quarters of their last five games. It’s gotten to the point that if Jon Sumrall’s Trojans get to 20 points, you can just about guarantee a victory.

3. Will ULM finally spring an upset?

It’s an article of faith in the Sun Belt Conference that the Warhawks always “get someone,” particularly at home. The Trojans don’t look like a candidate for an upset on the surface with the way they have been playing, but strange things tend to happen in Monroe. However, ULM lost one-point games earlier this season to Appalachian State (41-40) and Texas State (21-20), so it seems like Terry Bowden’s team might have already missed its chance for an unexpected victory.

KEY MATCHUP

ULM WR Tyrone Howell vs. Troy CB Reddy Steward: The 6-foot-3 Howell, who has 40 receptions for 423 yards and six touchdowns this season, is the Warhawks’ best big-play threat on offense. He’ll likely be matched up on Steward, who is arguably the best cover-corner in the Sun Belt and has nine career interceptions, three of which he has returned for touchdowns.

BY THE NUMBERS

9-0 — Troy’s record vs. Sun Belt West Division competition under second-year coach Jon Sumrall. The Trojans’ only two Sun Belt losses have come to East teams by a total of six points, Appalachian State (32-28) last year and James Madison (16-14) this year.