WHAT: South Alabama (4-4, 2-2 Sun Belt) at Troy (6-2, 3-1)

WHEN: 6:30 p.m., Thursday

WHERE: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Troy

SERIES: Troy leads 8-3

TV: ESPN2

LINE: Troy by

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: If Troy maintains control of first place in the Sun Belt West or if South Alabama creates some chaos at the top of the division.

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THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Who will start at quarterback for South Alabama?

Carter Bradley had to be helped off the field late in the game last week vs. Louisiana due to a knee injury, but the Jaguars have been coy about whether or not he’ll be fit to play on a short recovery week. If not, it will likely be freshman Gio Lopez getting his first career start. South Alabama coaches like Lopez’s dual-threat potential over the more-experienced Desmond Trotter, who knows the offense well but is somewhat limited as a downfield passer.

2. Will Troy’s defense continue its smothering ways?

Though head coach Jon Sumrall would have you believe the Trojans have not been playing well on defense and have just been getting lucky, there’s something to the fact that Troy has completely dominated most of its opponents lately in the second half. The Trojans have plenty of experience on the defensive front and in the secondary, and that’s helped bring along a young linebacker corps that has improved to the point it’s no longer a liability.

3. Will Kimani Vidal or Caullin Lacy shine brightest?

Vidal ranks third nationally in rushing yards, and is on the verge of both a 1,000-yard season and becoming Troy’s all-time leading rusher. He’s been a bit feast or famine, however, with two 200-yard games and two in which he’s been held below 50. Lacy has been more consistent for South Alabama, going over the 100-yard mark in every game since the season-opener. He currently ranks second nationally in receiving yards.

KEY MATCHUP

South Alabama offensive line vs. Troy defensive line: Whoever is at quarterback for the Jaguars, protecting him will be at a premium. Bradley was brutalized last week by Louisiana, and the Trojans’ defensive front is even stronger than the Ragin’ Cajuns. Richard Jibunor, Javon Solomon, T.J. Jackson and company are no doubt licking their chops at getting a shot at either a hobbled Bradley or a less-experienced quarterback.

BY THE NUMBERS

66-6 — Troy’s second-half points scored and points allowed in its last four games, wins over Georgia State (28-7), Arkansas State (37-3), Army (19-0) and Texas State (31-13).