Rivalry week is here.
As you avoid awkward conversations with family members and any work before dead week, remember to watch some of the biggest games of the year. The A&M-LSU game only begins a weekend that gives us the Southeastern Conference division winners and a clearer view of the College Football Playoff picture.
From the Egg Bowl to the Iron Bowl to the demolition that will be Florida St. vs. Florida, sit back and enjoy some of the best days of the year.
1. Alabama, Prev. 1 (10-1, 6-1 SEC)
The Tide did exactly what it should have done against Western Carolina on Saturday, scoring 31 consecutive points after getting off to a slow start to a 48-17 win. It beat an FCS team by the necessary amount of points to avoid embarrassment, and now it’s time for the Iron Bowl.
The key to Alabama winning this week is senior quarterback Blake Sims, who will need to take advantage of a putrid Auburn defense. Gus Malzahn’s team is most likely going to lay a few scores on them, so they should utilize junior receiver Amari Cooper as much as possible.
The Tide will be the better team on Saturday, and only offensive mistakes will prevent it from winning.
2. Mississippi State, Prev. 2 (10-1, 6-1 SEC)
Junior quarterback Dak Prescott has lost his stranglehold on the Heisman Trophy in a matter of weeks. He’s got one game to get back in the race.
Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota are shredding defenses, so Prescott must do the same against an Ole Miss team still No. 1 in scoring defense. Obviously, winning to keep SEC West hopes alive and to keep bragging rights on the Rebels are priorities as well.
MSU should be fine if it pulls ahead of Ole Miss early and never sways from its aggressive offensive style. All it can do after that is wait and cheer on Auburn the rest of the night.
3. Georgia, Prev. 4 (9-2, 6-2 SEC)
UGA fans will have to play the waiting game this week as they hope Missouri will lose to Arkansas to send Georgia to the SEC Championship game. In between the shameless cheering for the Hogs, it will play its biggest rival, ACC Coastal champ Georgia Tech.
The Yellow Jackets are a decent team, and the last thing the Bulldogs should do is concentrate too much on Mizzou’s game. Win the games you’re currently playing instead of concentrating on the one you might play.
4. Auburn, Prev. 5 (8-3, 4-3 SEC)
Auburn rolled through Samford, 31-7, in its preparation for the Iron Bowl, but it’s going to take a special effort for this team to get past Alabama. The defense has allowed more than 30 points in six consecutive SEC games, and senior quarterback Nick Marshall has been suspect since the Texas A&M loss.
5. Missouri, Prev. 6 (9-2, 5-2 SEC)
Mizzou won in Knoxville for its 10th consecutive road win, a streak going back to 2012 that includes wins in Athens, College Station, Oxford and Columbia, South Carolina. The streak is an integral part in Missouri’s position on the brink of its second consecutive SEC East title.
Missouri has found a way to win based on forcing turnovers and controlling possession. It still has a game against Arkansas to win, but Mizzou has already exceeded expectations.
6. Arkansas, Prev. 8 (6-5, 2-5 SEC)
The Razorbacks played some of the most impressive football any team has played the last two weeks, outscoring LSU and Ole Miss 47-0 to reach bowl eligibility. This team has gone from conference laughing stock to feared opponent in two weeks, and it appears Bret Bielema’s system is finally working.
It was frightening to watch the Hogs plays the final two weeks, and it’s scarier to think what could happen next season if their skill players come back. Arkansas could be the conference’s 2015 version of Mississippi State.
7. Ole Miss, Prev. 3 (8-3, 4-3 SEC)
This was a national title contender one month ago. Now it’s just another Ole Miss team.
The Rebels reverted to their old ways as Arkansas dominated them in every aspect of the game, winning 30-0 and injuring senior quarterback Bo Wallace in the process. Ole Miss is now an Egg Bowl loss from finishing .500 in SEC play, far from its expectations to begin the year.
This team may just need its season to end. Remember that 7-0 start, Rebels fans, and forget about what’s happened since the LSU game.
8. Texas A&M, Prev. 7 (7-4, 3-4 SEC)
Aggie fans may be looking past their Thanksgiving duel with LSU as many bowl projections have them playing Texas in the Texas Bowl in Houston. The allure of playing the team featured in its fight song usually is distracting.
9. LSU, Prev. 9 (7-4, 3-4 SEC)
Watching an LSU offense that has scored one touchdown in eight quarters go against a dreadful A&M defense won’t be fun. The Aggies’ secondary doesn’t seem to be able to cover anyone, but sophomore quarterback Anthony Jennings could change that.
10. Tennessee, Prev. 10 (5-6, 2-5 SEC)
The Vols took a step backward with their loss to Missouri on Saturday, but a game at Vanderbilt next week will give them an elusive sixth win. Butch Jones has been superb rebuilding this program, and the team deserves a trip to a bowl game.
11. South Carolina, Prev. 11 (6-5, 3-5 SEC)
Coach Steve Spurrier joked during this season’s SEC Media Days that South Carolina could play terribly all season but fans would be content if it beat Clemson. He’ll have the exact opportunity Saturday when his team travels to Memorial Stadium to finish a disappointing season.
Spurrier has had Clemson’s number, so I wouldn’t be shocked if his team pulls off the upset. It’s just going to take a performance that’s been foreign for most of the year.
 12. Florida, Prev. 12 (6-4, 4-4 SEC)
An easy win against Eastern Kentucky sets up a game against No. 2 Florida State that will probably be the final embarrassment of the Will Muschamp era. Sophomore quarterback Jameis Winston and the Seminoles have struggled this season, but don’t expect it against a Gators team with little to play for.
13. Kentucky, Prev. 13 (5-6, 2-6 SEC)
The ACC will reach an entirely new level of depressing if Louisville loses to Kentucky this Saturday. It would be nice to see Kentucky get the win and bowl eligibility, but this team is probably worn out from losing five consecutive games.
14. Vanderbilt, Prev. 14 (3-7, 0-7 SEC)
Just one more game. One more game and it all will be over.