Texas State South Alabama Football Nov. 15, 2014

South Alabama running back Kendall Houston (29) finds a hole in the Texas State defense in the first half of a Sun Belt Conference football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. (Mike Kittrell/mkittrell@al.com)

(Mike Kittrell)

The Details

What: Navy (5-5) at South Alabama (6-5, 5-3)

When: Today, 2 p.m. CST

Where: Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama

TV: The game will be broadcast on ESPN3

Radio: The game will be broadcast live on Lite Mix 99.9 (WMXC FM) in Mobile beginning at 1 p.m. The game will also be available in Grove Hill on WBMH 106.1 FM. J.D. Byars will provide play-by-play, with Pat Greenwood handling color commentary. Michael Brannon will offer sideline reporting.

This game will determine ...

If Navy becomes bowl eligible and if South Alabama improves its bowl profile. The game could also go a long way in how South Alabama fans view this season. The Jags enter the game on the heels of a turnover-infested performance at South Carolina while Navy had an open date last week and in its previous game slammed Sun Belt Conference leader Georgia Southern.

Three things to look for

1. Jags' defensive play: Navy's triple-option offense created problems for South Alabama last year in the Midshipmen's win in Annapolis and a lot of troubles two weeks ago against Georgia Southern, another triple-option team. How the South Alabama defense handles its assignments and Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds will go a long way in determining how the game unfolds. The Jags' defense must play well.

2. South Alabama QB play: Brandon Bridge will be the Jags' starting quarterback and this may be his biggest start of the season. He likely will have to make something happen quickly or risk being pulled in favor of Hunter Vaughn. Regardless of who is taking snaps for the Jags, that player must be effective in directing the offense and even more effective in protecting the football. Big plays would be welcome, but the quarterback needs to get the Jags in position to move the ball and, when reaching the red zone, scoring touchdowns instead of settling for field goals.

3. South Alabama's emotional approach: It's Senior Day and with more than 30 seniors, several of whom play important roles, on the roster, especially for a young program, emotions will be high. Add to that the desire to win one more game to improve their record and influence bowl reps, especially on the heels of the South Carolina game, and the intangible holds a key to the outcome for the Jags.

Key matchup

It has to be South Alabama's defensive front against the Midshipmen's offensive line and quarterback Keenan Reynolds. An aggressive defense such as South Alabama's has to show some patience against the triple-option and each player handling his assignment is more important against Navy's offense than against most other opponents.

By the numbers

17: Points responsible for average of Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds, who ranks No. 14 in the country in that category. It also matches the number of rushing touchdowns Reynolds has scored this season.

20.5: Average points per game South Alabama's offense is scoring, which is just 3.5 points more than what Reynolds is averaging a game by himself.

13: Turnovers produced by South Alabama in its past three games, including five last week against South Carolina.

Significant injuries

South Alabama: RB Xavier Johnson (shoulder), who did not play against South Carolina, is expected to play in today's game against the Midshipmen. TE Wes Saxton (ankle) played last week but has been wearing a gold (non-contact) jersey at practice again this week. Still, he is listed as probable. OL Drew Dearman has been held out of practices often this week but is also probable for the game. TE Braedon Bowman (foot) will not play today.

Navy: LB William Tuider (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Friday's game, with LB James Britton (foot) listed as doubtful. WR Colin Osbourne (knee) is also listed as doubtful.