Ask anybody in Franklin County what they’ll be doing Sunday afternoon, and you’ll hear, “Watching Jamie!”

The 6-4, 250-pound Quentin native in rural Franklin County stands one game away from playing in a Super Bowl. He and the New England Patriots will play the Denver Broncos Sunday at 2 p.m. on CBS.

Only in his rookie season with the Patriots, Collins will start at linebacker Sunday in what will be perhaps his biggest game to date.

“I’m just ready to play,” said Collins. “This is a big game!”

Stars tend to rise in the big games, and last Saturday night one was born on the Patriots’ defense, as Jamie Collins had his breakout game against Andrew Luck and the Colts.

With six tackles (two for losses), a sack, an interception and three quarterback hits, the fleet-footed linebacker made everyone take notice that he had arrived during a 43-22 win over the Colts in this AFC divisional-round match-up.

“I just did what I had to do,” said Collins. “Next man up! You got to shine in the playoffs!”

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick worked Jamie out last March before drafting him as the team’s first pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

In a season that saw Jamie get more time as the season progressed, he started eight games during the regular season but was always in rotations. He showed flashes of his athletic ability in big games against Denver and Baltimore, but in the playoffs he virtually got unleashed and it was about time.

“He (Jamie) had a great game, but ever since he was in high school he’s been having great games.” said FC native Corey Jackson. “Everywhere you go you hear Jamie Collins in Franklin County. He’s the talk of the town.”

Against the Colts, Jamie was everywhere making plays and tackles, whether it was rushing the passer, or dropping back in coverage, usually to defend 6-foot, 6-inch tight end Coby Fleener, one of Luck’s go-to guys. Jamie’s 42-inch vertical and broad wingspan helped keep Fleener in check and Luck on the ground whenever he rushed the QB.

On Sunday he’ll be matched up with Broncos tight end Julius Thomas and sometimes on Wes Welker in the slot. Collins’ 4.5-second 40-yard dash speed gives the Patriots Defense an X-Factor.

He will also rush the quarterback more, meaning Broncos QB Peyton Manning. Collins had one rush attempt against Manning in a regular season win over the Broncos earlier this season. He tackled Manning on a botched snap.

Now comes round two of Jamie Vs. Peyton. The Rookie vs. The NFL Great; it should be fun. To the winner goes the spoils of a Super Bowl trip to New York City.

One thing is for certain, Southwest Mississippi is behind Jamie Collins. Especially back home, where he’s been the talk of it the entire week from Roxie to McCall Creek.

The kid that led FC to its first ever football championship as a quarterback in 2006, is a game away from playing in a Super Bowl in his first NFL season.

“I get a lot of texts and calls from everyone back home,” said Collins. “Its good to hear from family and friends.”

You can’t go anywhere without hearing someone say Jamie’s name these days. He’s the topic of conversation because of last week’s game and this Sunday’s showdown.

It’s a safe bet 100 percent of Franklin County’s televisions will be tuned to CBS at 2 Sunday afternoon to see the hometown boy play in his biggest game ever.