WHAT: Texas Southern (0-3, 0-2 in SWAC) at Alabama A&M (1-3, 1-1 in SWAC)
WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Louis Crews Stadium, Huntsville, AL
THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE: Which team can pull out of its spiral and which would seem doomed already to a losing record. With its season-opening win, Alabama A&M does have legitimate hopes to still win the SWAC East since it has yet to play a division game.
THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR:
1. Big plays. Both Alabama A&M and Texas Southern like to play aggressive defenses that keep pressure on opposing quarterbacks, but it can also leave defensive backs vulnerable in one-on-one coverage..
2. The A&M running game. Texas Southern has allowed 239.7 yards rushing per game, and the A&M running backs finally made their presence known last week, with two breakaway runs by the speedy Brandon Eldemire and a 125-yard day by Barrington Scott.
3. Special teams. Missed extra points and other subpar play on special teams hurt Alabama A&M last week. Texas Southern has only forced 13 punts in three games and has yet to return a punt, that could be an A&M advantage.
KEY MATCHUP
Texas Southern quarterback Homer Causey - one of four QB's the Tigers have tried - and his offensive line against the Alabama A&M defensive front. Texas Southern has allowed 14 sacks in three games. A&M defensive coordinator Brawski Towns isn't afraid to dial up the occasional blitz.
BY THE NUMBERS
21-for-64 - Third-down conversion by A&M this season; Texas Southern has allowed 52.5 percent conversion from its opponents..
Source: http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/09/bulldog_buzz_texas_southern_at.html