All rankings are from the Associated Press poll. All times are Central Standard.
1) No. 4 Georgia vs. No. 23 Florida, (Jacksonville, Fla.) 2:30 p.m. CBS
The World’s Largest Cocktail Party, or so this game is called, should be another thriller this year.
Florida is riding sky high after consecutive upsets of ranked opponents on the road in LSU and Arkansas. They are also rested coming off a bye week.
Georgia isn’t playing very well. It needed a big second half to overtake Vanderbilt two weeks ago and barely beat the University of Alabama-Birmingham last weekend.
It’s gotten so bad that ESPN’s Trev Alberts is practically losing the crush he had on the Bulldogs.
Florida freshman quarterback Chris Leak continues to be impressive, completing 61 percent of his passes.
Georgia quarterback David Greene has not had a banner season, throwing as many interceptions as touchdowns (seven).
History is on the Gators’ side in this series, with UF taking home a win in 12 of the last 13 meetings, including a 20-13 win in 2002 that turned out to be the Bulldogs’ only loss of the season.
Don’t worry about a three-way tie for the Eastern Division lead, ’cause it ain’t happening. Georgia will win this one. It will be close, though.
Georgia 27, Florida 20
2) South Carolina @ No. 20 Ole Miss, 11:30 a.m., Jefferson Pilot
Ole Miss is riding high in first place of the SEC West. I’m sitting here waiting for the collapse to begin. It usually comes this time of the year.
I thought it would start against Arkansas last week, but give the Rebels coaches and players credit. They physically dominated Arkansas for the most part.
Quarterback Eli Manning has 18 touchdowns to seven interceptions while completing about 62 percent of his passes.
South Carolina comes in this game after beating Vandy. If the Gamecocks run the ball like they did against LSU two weeks ago, they won’t have any chance.
However, I know Ole Miss cannot defend the pass. So if Carolina can’t run it, that might not be all that bad.
True freshman running back Demetris Summers has cooled off after a hot start to the season but is still averaging 5.3 yards per carry for the Gamecocks.
I like Lou Holtz and the Gamecocks in this game just because he’ll have his boys ready on the official Vanderbilt network, JP.
USC 20, Ole Miss 17
3) Arkansas @ Kentucky, 6 p.m., ESPN2
Poor Houston Nutt. It must really be tough being that arrogant and then seeing your team blow three straight SEC games.
When you can’t pass the ball it makes establishing a running game that much harder.
That’s the challenge the Hogs will face against the Wildcats. Mr. Nutt will get his team on the right track, but obviously it’s too late.
Arkansas 24, Kentucky 13
4) Louisiana Tech @ No. 7 LSU, 7 p.m.
I know the Good Ole Boys from Ruston beat Michigan State early this year in Lansing, Mich. But LSU ain’t MSU, and Tiger Stadium is, well, Tiger Stadium. Enjoy watching La. Tech’s offense; they can really play. Enjoy seeing LSU’s offense look immortal against a less than solid Bulldogs defense.
LSU 51, La Tech 24
5) Duke @ No. 19 Tennessee, 3 p.m.
Duke is bad. Tennessee is decent. The game is on Rocky Top. Nasty. Many touchdowns. Blowout, despite the fact the series between these two teams is tied 13-13-2.
Tennessee 44, Duke 9
6) Louisiana-Monroe @ Auburn, 1 p.m.
The Cadillac, Auburn running back Carnell Williams, stayed in the garage after several collisions with Mr. Chad Lavalais. He’ll get some of his dents repaired and be ready to take a couple of spins around the block against the lowly Indians.
Auburn 53, ULM 13
Off: Alabama, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt
Thank the good Lord we don’t have to watch these schools play this weekend. Why can’t they all be off every weekend?