In July, tonight’s Troy-Florida International game (ESPN2, 8 p.m. ET) looked like it would serve as the de facto championship game for the Sun Belt Conference. Instead, the loser may leave Miami all but eliminated from the conference championship race. Both teams are among the four teams tied for fifth place with a 1-2 conference record.

Troy, who was won outright or shared the last five SBC titles, is 2-4 for the first time since 2006. The Trojans have lost consecutive SBC games for the second time since joining the conference in 2004 (2005 the other time).

The Trojans problems have been on the defensive side of the ball where they are ranked 113^th in total defense (460.83 ypg) and 110^th in scoring defense (34.67 ppg). If the defense has trouble, the pressure will be on quarterback Corey Robinson, who leads the Sun Belt in passing yardage with 296.50 ypg, to put some points on the board.

Florida International (4-3, 1-2) shared the league title with Troy last season. Last Tuesday, the Golden Panthers led 16-13 entering the final quarter at current SBC leader Arkansas State (5-2, 3-0) only to allow 21 unanswered points to lose 34-16. The fourth quarter has been a troublesome for FIU, as they have been outscored 61-27 in the quarter this season. They are also six of 27 on third-down conversions during the final stanza.

The Golden Panthers’ T.Y. Hilton is tied with Middle Tennessee State’s Kerry Wright for most career touchdown catches in SBC history with 22.

Last season, FIU got its first ever win against Troy beating the Trojans 52-35 after losing the previous six meetings (five as SBC members).