TUPELO – The fledgling Mississippi Hound Dogs indoor pro football team faces perhaps the biggest game in its brief history tonight at home.

The Hound Dogs, 1-5 after 48-point loss two weeks ago, will entertain the Eastern Kentucky Drillers at BancorpSouth Arena. Kickoff is t 7:30 p.m.

“This is a playoff game for us,” said Hound Dogs head coach Eric Bingham. “Even at 1-5, we still have a chance to get into the playoffs, but it has to start with a win this weekend.”

The top three teams in each UIFL division will make the playoffs, which begin in mid-June.

The Drillers (2-3) would be in a commanding position to finish in third place with a victory tonight.

After tonight, the Hound Dogs have home-and-home dates remaining with the South Division leading Florida Tarpons (5-0), a visit from the Western Pa. Sting (0-5) and, in the regular-season finale, a trip to Eastern Kentucky.

The Drillers will be home for four of their final five games.

The Hound Dogs are coming off an ugly 60-12 homefield loss to Lakeland.

“It was a real eye-opener for us,” Bingham said. “Everyone in this organization now realizes that for us to compete we have to bring in more talent. It’s a must.”

Bingham added a handful of out-of-town players in time for this week’s game and said he plans more changes next week.

Eastern Kentucky whipped the Rome Rampage 82-20 last weekend. Aric Evans tied a league record with six touchdown catches. Drillers QB Allan Holland completed 13 of 16 passes for 289 yards and eight TDs.

john.pitts@journalinc.com