Mississippi State + 23 (2-7, 1-4 Southeastern Conference) at No. 13 Tennessee (7-2, 3-2), 11:30 a.m..
The Volunteers are currently on a three-game winning streak, including last week’s upset victory over Miami. The Bulldogs’ only SEC victory this season was over Vanderbilt and they have dropped three straight.
Tennessee may be destined for a three-way tie with Georgia and Florida for the SEC East title, but any slip up would cost them severely. Fortunately for Vols fans, Mississippi State probably would lose to Tennessee’s scout squad and it would take a lot more than a flat performance from Tennessee for a Bulldogs victory.
State quarterback Kevin Fant will be spending most of his time Saturday on the sideline as the ineffective Bulldogs offense will not be able to stay on the field and produce.
Tennessee 42 Mississippi State 0
No. 18 Florida (7-3, 5-2) at South Carolina + 7 (5-5, 2-5), 11:30 a.m.
Lou Holtz’s Gamecocks will host a red-hot Florida team that has not lost since the beginning of October. USC has shown some promise throughout the season, but has proven unable to clinch a big victory.
After a near-comeback victory against Ole Miss, USC took itself out of the game against Arkansas with four turnovers, including two in the red zone. Now they are in danger of going 5-7 for the second straight season and staying home during the postseason.
The Gators need to win out to have a shot at playing in Atlanta, while the Gamecocks must win one of their two remaining games to become bowl eligible. Florida has more to play for and more talent. The Gators will win easily.
Florida 35 USC 10
Kentucky (4-5, 1-4) at Vanderbilt + 6.5 (1-9, 0-6), 1:00 p.m.
The clash of the two traditional whipping posts of SEC football would be good nap-time entertainment, but fortunately for football fans this game won’t be clogging up the TV channels.
Vanderbilt is the only team in the SEC without a conference win. Don’t expect this to change. Kentucky gets to .500 for the season.
Kentucky 35 Vanderbilt 21
Auburn + 7 (6-4, 4-2) at Georgia (7-2, 4-2), 2:30 p.m. CBS
Georgia finds itself in the same position as Florida and Tennessee, needing to win out to stay in the heated race for the SEC East title. Auburn was eliminated from the race for the SEC West after blowing the game against Ole Miss.
The Bulldogs defense will be able to limit the production of Cadillac and company while the once highly-touted Auburn defense has proven unable to come through in the clutch. Georgia quarterback David Greene should have a big day.
Unlike last year, Georgia will not need last-minute heroics to win.
Georgia 28 Auburn 14
LSU (8-1, 4-1) at Alabama + 6.5 (4-6, 2-4) 6:45 p.m. ESPN
LSU was embarrassed by the Tide last year in Death Valley, but it is a different year with a healthy Tigers team that is on a roll. Alabama is coming off a big victory over Mississippi State, but that is not necessarily a big accomplishment.
LSU’s defensive line will prevent the Tide running attack and keep Shaud Williams from being much of a factor. Alabama will also have difficulty passing against the proven Tigers secondary.
The Tigers’ offense is loaded with talent and seems to be running on all cylinders. Matt Mauck may not surpass Rohan Davey’s 500-plus yard passing performance from the Tigers last trip to Tuscaloosa, but the offense will pile on the yards.
LSU 35 Alabama 7