“You know what they’re doing offensively; with some of the option game that they’re running, they’re bringing guys down, get sucked down safeties, and they are getting one-on-one coverage on the outside,” Satterfield said. “We have to do a great job of staying on top, but when you do that, they do the back shoulder throw to him, so he’s a tough cover, and one of the better receivers in his league."

Chances to strike

Satterfield said South Alabama’s defense is aggressive.

That, however, seems to expose the Jaguars to allowing big plays in the passing game. South Alabama ranks next-to-last in the Sun Belt in pass defense (292 yards per game).

App State has eight plays of more than 30 yards this season, and six of them have come from a Zac Thomas pass.

“I think they’ll probably mix it up with what they do,” Satterfield said of the defense. “Like always, we want to try to come in and try to establish the running game and certain formations and then take our shots whenever we can. And a lot of it will be dictated on how they play their coverages.”

A new threat each week

Speaking of pass plays, App State has shown an ability to spread around the football on offense.