South Alabama Jaguars

South Alabama's offense has been the engine of a 4-2 start, averaging 35.4 points per game and scoring at least 39 in three of their four wins. The unit was expected to lean on quarterback Bishop Davenport, but an unspecified injury has forced Jared Hollins into the lineup for the past two games, and he has responded with 321 passing yards and three touchdowns against UL Monroe and a efficient 6-of-10 for 76 yards and a score at Arkansas State. The skill group is deep: Anthony Eager exploded for 168 yards and two touchdowns on four catches against the Warhawks, Brendan Jenkins has been a consistent chain-mover, and the backfield trio of Keenan Phillips, PJ Martin, and Trae'veon Dunbar powers a run game that churned out 296 yards on 50 carries against the Red Wolves. Phillips even added a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, showcasing his versatility. The offensive line, rebuilt around one returning starter and transfer additions, has held up well enough to support a balanced attack that has topped 240 rushing yards in multiple games. If Davenport returns healthy, the Jaguars have a quarterback controversy in the best sense; if not, Hollins has proven capable of keeping the offense humming.

The Jaguars' defensive front seven, rebuilt with FCS transfers like Mase Lewis and Dylan Chiedo and a new coordinator in Todd Orlando, has been gashed repeatedly on the ground. Tulane's Jaylin Lucas ran for 214 yards and an 80-yard touchdown in Week 2, Kentucky's trio of backs combined for 386 yards and five scores in Week 4, and even SE Louisiana and Ohio found room to move the ball. South Alabama has allowed at least 28 points in every game except the opener, and opposing offenses have controlled tempo by leaning on the run. The linebacker corps, led by Tirrell Johnson and Caleb Dozier, has struggled to plug gaps, and the secondary, while opportunistic at times, has been stressed by play-action. Until the Jaguars prove they can stop a competent rushing attack, they will remain in shootouts against quality opponents.

Despite the defensive issues, South Alabama has protected the football and moved the chains at a high rate for most of the season. Davenport opened the year with 18-of-27 passing without an interception, and Hollins has thrown five touchdowns against just one interception in his two starts. The Jaguars converted over 50% of their third downs through the first four games, though that number dipped against Kentucky (4 of 15). The offense's ability to sustain drives has kept the defense off the field and allowed the team to control time of possession, ranking second nationally at over 36 minutes per game before the Kentucky loss. That ball-control style will be key in the second half of the season, especially against high-powered Sun Belt offenses.

Kicker Davis Little has been reliable, making all three of his field goals in the opener and handling the placekicking duties full-time after the departure of Hamilton DiBoyan. Punter Aleksi Pulkkinen has been solid, and the return game has a home-run threat in Keenan Phillips, whose 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown at Arkansas State was a game-changing play. In a season where the Jaguars have been in several close games, special teams have provided a margin that shouldn't be overlooked. The coverage units have been mostly sound, though they will be tested by Marshall's returners.

South Alabama has already matched last season's win total (4-8 in 2025) and sits at 2-0 in Sun Belt play after beating UL Monroe and Arkansas State. The remaining schedule features opponents with a combined power rating below the Jaguars', starting with a Marshall team that is 3-3 but just 1-5 against the spread. However, the defense's tendency to allow big plays means no lead is safe, as evidenced by the 56-49 track meet at Arkansas State. The Jaguars will need to clean up their run defense and avoid letdowns to stay atop the Sun Belt standings. With Davenport's health uncertain and the defense still searching for answers, South Alabama's ceiling is high but its floor remains shaky.