WHAT: Northwestern State (0-2) at South Alabama (0-2)

WHEN: 18:45, Thursday

WHERE: Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile

SERIES: First meeting

TV: None (ESPN+)

LINE: South Alabama with 35.5

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE IF: South Alabama can claim its first win of the season in the first of two consecutive Thursday games.

RELATED TOPICS: South Alabama looking for first win despite short week

THREE THINGS TO PAY ATTENTION TO

1. Will South Alabama’s injured players return?

Quarterback Gio Lopez, running back Braylon McReynolds and cornerbacks Ricky Fletcher and Reggie Neely all sat out last Saturday’s loss to Ohio, and it’s questionable whether any of them will return after a short week. McReynolds and Neely will likely return, as Lopez will likely get another week to rest his turf toe and Fletcher could be out for a while with back problems. Bishop Davenport will most likely make his second consecutive start at center.

2. Can the Jaguars bounce back against a struggling FCS opponent?

South Alabama hasn’t exactly dominated FCS opponents in the past, but Northwestern State is off to a particularly bad start this season. The Demons were ranked last in the Southland Conference and lost their opening game 62-28 to Tulsa before losing 37-31 to Prairie View last week (NSU was stopped at the 1-yard line as time expired). The Jaguars desperately need an “easy” win, the kind of game that lets them rest their starters in the second half, before opening Sun Belt Conference play at Appalachian State next week.

3. What influence will the weather have?

The remnants of Hurricane Francine are expected to be out of the area by Thursday evening, although the turf on the field at Hancock Whitney Stadium may have soaked up more than an inch of rain by the time the game starts. In case the bad weather persists, South Alabama has spent much of the week doing “wet ball” drills. While turnovers can be an equalizer, bad weather often impacts defense more than offense. That’s probably good news for the Jaguars, as they have many more explosive players on that side of the ball.

KEY GAME

South Alabama C Malachi Preciado vs. Northwestern State LB Black Gotcher

Gotcher is a very active defender for the Demons, totaling 20 tackles in a loss to Prairie View last week. Preciado and his teammates will have to watch out for him on every running play.

IN NUMBERS

10-1 – South Alabama’s record against FCS opponents since joining the Sun Belt Conference in 2012. The Jaguars’ lone loss was a 22-21 defeat to Southern Utah to open the 2013 season.