Week 14 Preview: South Alabama at Texas State

Expectations do not always match reality and no one in the Sun Belt knows that better than fans of Texas State and South Alabama. Both teams were expected to contend for the division, and instead Texas State is fighting for bowl eligibility, while the Jags were knocked out of bowl contention earlier this month. This game will also mark the last regular season football game that Texas State will play as a member of the Sun Belt, as they will depart for the PAC-12 beginning in 2026.

As rough as this season has been on paper for South Alabama and Texas State, both teams are not playing all that bad. In four of the seven Jags losses, they’ve been leading in the third quarter, while Bobcats have actually outscored their opponents this year, despite the losing record. Both teams have had a lot of issues finishing games. The Jags and Bobcats have also been playing better down the stretch, both having won two straight entering this one.

Looking ahead to this game, this has historically been a matchup that the home team has dominated. Texas State leads the all time series 6-4, and in those games the road team has only won one. That game was last year, when the Bobcats eliminated South Alabama from Sun Belt West contention with a 45-38 victory on Black Friday. South Alabama has never won in San Marcos.

South Alabama

The Jaguars have faced a very tough schedule and are only a couple plays away from leading the division with walk off losses against Arkansas State and Troy. Unfortunately for the Jags though, quality losses do not matter in the Sun Belt, unlike in some conferences. South enters this game at 4-7, with nothing left to play for other than pride.

Despite the record, the talent has been there this year and they have finally showed it in recent weeks. The Jags have won three of their last four, including two straight conference wins over ULM and a big senior day 42-35 upset against Southern Miss last week. This upset, their first FBS home win since October of 2024.

“There’s no shortcut around it, the choices you have to make are already made for you if you want to win. Our guys are starting to understand that. Not that they haven’t ever, we won before this season, but we have to make winning more of our fabric and culture week in and week out and it’s finally starting to feel like we have these past two weeks,” said Head Coach Major Applewhite

Statistically, South Alabama features a very run heavy offense and a fairly strong defense. South Alabama averages 382 yards per game on offense, with 200 of those yards on the ground. This run game relies on a committee of backs, but they are primarily led by Kentrel Bullock. Bullock currently leads the Sun Belt in rushing yards and eclipsed 1000 yards on the season last week. He will be just 62 yards away from breaking the South Alabama single season record this week.

Bull doing Bull things 🐂

A career day earns Kentrel Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week honors.#LSF | @Iamkentrel_1 pic.twitter.com/T21AlHFenS

— South Alabama Football 🏈 (@SouthAlabamaFB) November 24, 2025

Bishop Davenport is the starting quarterback for South and has had a very up and down season. He is averaging 179.7 yards per game and has 12 total touchdowns on the year. Sophomore Jared Hollins, who appeared in the game last week will also likely see playing time in this one.

The defense has been a fairly strong spot for South Alabama this year. The Jaguars only allow an average of 368 yards per game, which ranks third best in the conference. Despite this, they do struggle a bit to keep teams out of the endzone, South Alabama gives up an average of 28 points per game. Special teams has been the weakest spot this year for South Alabama. South Alabama has struggled with place kicking and punting in particular.

In order for South Alabama to come out of San Marcos with their first ever win. South will need to focus on establishing the run game. Texas State has struggled on defense at times this year, force them to stop you at what you do well. Defensively, stopping the pass attack will be key.

Texas State

Texas State started this year with a strong non conference, leaving fans with a lot of hope heading into conference play. That hope would not be realized though, as Texas State opened with heartbreaker after heartbreaker. A one point loss to Arkansas State, and back to back overtime losses against Troy and Marshall effectively knocked Texas State out of Sun Belt title contention before the middle of October.

Despite these close losses, Texas State has finally found a way to turn these into wins in recent weeks. Texas State with a blowout of Southern Miss two weeks ago and a 31-14 win over ULM last week, find themselves just one win away from being bowl eligible after starting the year 3-6. They also enter this game very healthy which can not be said for most teams at this point in the season.

“We have got to continue to to bring our focus and understand what’s what’s on the line and not be complacent with two wins. We have a really, really quality opponent this week. It’s easy to distracted, but you know that’s the the the job of us as coaches to get these guys locked in, focused, and ready to go for for Saturday,” said Head Coach GJ Kinne.

Texas State features a very high powered offense and a serviceable defense. This offense is very balanced as well, both running and passing the ball effectively this year. They are led by dual threat quarterback Brad Jackson, who is having a massive year leading the conference in passing yards and completion percentage. He will be looking to become the fifth Texas State quarterback to throw for 3000 yards in a season.

As for the run game, Lincoln Pare is the lead back and ranks third in the Sun Belt in rushing yards, while quarterback Brad Jackson is also a major contributor on the ground as well. Jackson leads the conference in rushing touchdowns going into this one. The top receiver for Texas State is Beau Sparks, he has over 1000 yards on the season and will have a shot to break the single season receiving yards record, should Texas State qualify for a bowl.

1K season for No. 11.#EatEmUp pic.twitter.com/WAu6ozUqlo

— Texas State Football (@TXSTATEFOOTBALL) November 22, 2025

While not terrible, defense has been the biggest issue for Texas State. They have played better in recent weeks, only allowing 14 points in each of their past two games, but overall have struggled, especially against the pass. Texas State giving up an average of 235 yards per game through the air, an average of 170 yards per game on the ground.

The key to this one on defense for Texas State will be stopping the short stuff and scoring early. South Alabama thrives on controlling the clock, running a lot of inside runs and screen passes. If you can force them to throw the ball downfield, it will be a long day for the Jags.

South Alabama at Texas State

Kickoff: Saturday Nov. 29 at 2:00 p.m. CST

TV: ESPN+

Radio: The Varsity Network KTSW 89.9 (Texas State), Sports Talk 99.5 FM (South Alabama)

For information on tickets, fans can click here. Texas State fans can email the ticket office at gametickets@txstate.edu with any additional questions.