No. 18 Auburn Tigers (5-2, 3-1) at No. 4 LSU Tigers (6-1, 3-1) 8 p.m. (ESPN)
LSU lost a triple-overtime nail-biter to Kentucky this past weekend and hopes to rebound against the Auburn Tigers.
In its last game, Auburn needed a Wes Byrum field goal with 21 seconds left to come out on top of Arkansas.
The contest this week will likely be a defensive battle, as the LSU defense ranks No. 2 nationally allowing only 223.1 yards per game and Auburn ranks No. 9 allowing 279.
Since back-to-back losses against South Florida and Mississippi State, Auburn is 4-0 including a win over then-No. 4 Florida.
Coach Tommy Tuberville said he expects this game to be a tough, hard-fought one, much like every other time these two teams meet.
The past three contests between the two have been decided by a total of eight points.
Vanderbilt Commodores (3-3, 1-3) at No. 6 South Carolina Gamecocks (6-1, 3-1) 11:30 a.m.
The Gamecocks rode a first-half lead and their tough defense to a 21-15 win against North Carolina this past weekend.
Since losing to LSU, South Carolina is 4-0 and has the No. 3 defense in the SEC allowing only 16.6 points per game.
Vanderbilt was defeated Saturday when Georgia kicked a field goal in the final seconds of the game to go on top 20-17.
Junior wide receiver Earl Bennett caught only three balls for 31 yards. He needs four more catches to be the all-time SEC leader in catches. The record is 208 held by Craig Yeast who played for Kentucky from 1995-1998.
Historically, Steve Spurrier has had Vanderbilt’s number. The Ol’ Ball Coach is 14-0 against the Commodores.
No. 14 Florida Gators (4-2, 2-2) at No. 8 Kentucky Wildcats (6-1, 2-1) 2:30 p.m. (CBS)
After defeating LSU, 43-37 in triple-overtime, the Wildcats will attempt to knock off their second straight SEC powerhouse.
Heisman hopeful senior André Woodson completed 21 of 38 for 250 yards and three touchdowns against LSU. He also added a 12-yard rushing touchdown in the win.
Woodson said he feels the team has earned some respect in the conference this season and is no longer an easy win for opponents.
Leading rusher and senior Raphael Little will be out for a second straight game with a thigh bruise.
After suffering back-to-back losses, the Gators hope to get back on track against Kentucky.
Florida hasn’t suffered three losses in a row since the 1999 season.
During the Gators’ bye week, sophomore walk-on defensive back Michael Guilford was killed when his motorcycle crashed into a curb.
“It’s a terrible tragedy,” Florida receiver Percy Harvin told ESPN.com. “Our team’s really in shock right now. It really hasn’t hit us yet. A lot of us will be down. We’ve just got to lean on each other and lean on our teammates to get us through this tragedy.”
No. 20 Tennessee Volunteers (4-2, 2-1) at Alabama Crimson Tide (5-2, 3-1) 11:30 a.m. (Lincoln Financial Sports)
Tennessee won its third straight game Saturday when the Volunteers defeated Mississippi State, 33-21.
Senior quarterback Erik Ainge leads the SEC in completion percentage at 66.5 percent and threw for 259 yards on 22 of 36 passing and two touchdowns against Mississippi State.
After starting the season 1-2, Tennessee is tied for second place in the SEC East.
The Tide will try for its third straight win a week after defeating Ole Miss, 27-24.
Alabama scored 10 points in the final ight minutes of the game to finally put the Rebels away.
The Tide is in a tie atop the SEC West with LSU and Auburn.
Arkansas Razorbacks (3-3, 0-3) at Ole Miss Rebels (2-5, 0-4) 1:00 p.m.
The Razorbacks are still winless in the conference after falling to Auburn, 9-7.
Although Heisman hopeful junior Darren McFadden was held to 43 yards on 17 carries, Arkansas remains first in the league averaging 293.2 rushing yards per game.
The Rebels allowed Alabama to score 10 fourth quarter points to win 27-24 in Oxford.
Senior BenJarvus Green-Ellis ranks No. 4 in the conference averaging 100.1 yards a game, and senior Seth Adams is also No. 4 in the conference in total offense, passing average and passing efficiency.
Mississippi State Bulldogs (4-3, 1-3) at No. 9 West Virginia (5-1, 1-1 Big East) 2:30 p.m.
Although freshman quarterback Wes Carroll threw for a career-high 203 yards, the Bulldogs still fell short against Tennessee this past Saturday.
They face a bigger challenge this week when they travel to Morgantown to face West Virginia and its No. 10 ranked offense.
Heisman hopeful junior Pat White is expected to play after being forced to sit out the final quarter of the Mountaineers’ last game with a strained chest muscle.No. 21 Georgia Bulldogs (5-2, 3-2 SEC), Bye
Georgia enters its bye week after barely edging out Vanderbilt this past weekend when senior Brandon Coutu kicked a field goal as time expired.
—Contact Johanathan Brooks at [email protected]