NO. 2 AUBURN (3-0, 2-0 SEC) vs. BUFFALO (1-2)
Kickoff: 1:30 p.m.
Notable: Auburn running back Kenny Irons leads the SEC in rushing at 107.3 yards per game. This is the first meeting between Auburn and Buffalo. He said it: “It’s become one of the best games in college football,” said Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville on the annual LSU vs. Auburn game.
ALABAMA (3-0, 1-0 SEC) at ARKANSAS (2-1, 1-0 SEC)
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. on CBS
Notable: Alabama is coming off a 41-7 defeat of the University of Louisiana-Monroe while Arkansas defeated Ole Miss at home, 31-14. The Crimson Tide lead the all-time series 9-7 against the Razorbacks.He said it: “We heard going into the game [in 2004] from the players on our team that [Razorback Stadium] is one of the loudest places that they had played in,” Alabama coach Mike Shula said.
NO. 10 LSU (2-1, 0-1 SEC) vs. TULANE (1-1)
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Notable: Saturday’s game between LSU and Tulane will be the first of 10 games to be played between the two teams during the next 10 years. The Tigers have won five consecutive homecoming games.He said it: “The only weakness I see, probably because I’ve been there enough, is the traffic flow getting in and out of the game. That’s the biggest weakness LSU has right now,” said Tulane coach Chris Scelfo.
OLE MISS (1-2, 0-1 SEC) vs. WAKE FOREST (3-0)
Kickoff: 5 p.m.
Notable: Ole Miss quarterback Brent Schaeffer has struggled so far this season, completing less than 50 percent of his passes and throwing four interceptions compared to three touchdowns.He said it: “The thing that concerns me going into this week is not Wake Forest – it’s our team as far as fundamentally being sound, eliminating the penalties and taking care of the football,” said Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron.
MISSISSIPPI STATE (0-3, 0-2 SEC) at ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM (1-2)
Kickoff: 6 p.m.
Notable: Mississippi State scored 22 points in the fourth quarter of last week’s game against Tulane but could not complete the comeback and lost the game, 32-29. UAB has won the only game in this series’ history.He said it: “When you’re 0-3 and you’ve worked as hard as these players have, a win would definitely help the spirits and definitely give them confidence about what you’re doing,” Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom said.
NO. 5 FLORIDA (3-0, 1-0 SEC) vs. KENTUCKY (2-1, 1-0 SEC)
Kickoff: 6:45 p.m. on ESPN
Notable: Florida has a 19-game winning streak versus Kentucky. Florida quarterback Chris Leak leads the nation in pass efficiency rating at 177.52.He said it: “From top to bottom…I think we’re the toughest defensive conference in the nation,” said Florida coach Urban Meyer.
NO. 9 GEORGIA (3-0, 1-0 SEC) vs. COLORADO (0-3)
Kickoff: 12:30 p.m.
Notable: Georgia has a 15-0 home record against non-conference opponents under coach Mark Richt. This is the first meeting in these two teams’ history.He said it: “They’re getting used to what the coaches are expecting of them and how they want it done. They’re playing a little bit uncertain because they’re not quite up to speed with everything,” Richt said on Colorado’s early-season struggles.
SOUTH CAROLINA (2-1, 1-1 SEC) vs. FLORIDA ATLANTIC (0-3)
Kickoff: 6 p.m.
Notable: South Carolina held off a late rally by Wofford University this past Saturday to win the game, 27-20. This game will be Steve Spurrier’s 200th as a collegiate coach.He said it: “We haven’t really moved the ball against anyone yet, so I know it’s going to be a struggle,” Steve Spurrier said about this weekend’s game against Florida Atlantic.
NO. 15 TENNESSEE (2-1, 0-1 SEC) vs. MARSHALL (1-2)
Kickoff: 3 p.m.
Notable: The University of Tennessee could not give coach Phillip Fulmer his 75th career victory in Neyland Stadium last week against Florida, losing 21-20. This game will be the Volunteers’ fourth straight home game, the team’s most consecutive home games since 1977.He said it: “We’re just trying to get over the tough loss to Florida…and trying to move on to Marshall,” said Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer.
VANDERBILT (0-3, 0-2 SEC) vs. TENNESSEE STATE (2-1)
Kickoff: 6 p.m.
Notable: Vanderbilt University is 11-1 all time against Division I-AA teams. This is the first meeting between these two teams.He said it: “This year we’ve lost a couple of close ones. I still feel good about our chances to compete, and I thought we competed well in some tough stadiums – Michigan and Alabama,” said Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson.
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