All rankings are from the Associated Press Media Poll and all times are Central.
Auburn @ No. 7 Arkansas, Sat. 11:30 a..m., Jefferson Pilot
Man, if you like running, big offensive linemen and bloody noses, this is your type of game, especially since its on the official Vanderbilt network, Jefferson Pilot.
Auburn will drive the Cadillac (running back Carnell Williams) through the Hogs defensive front – or at least attempt to since they really don’t have a passing game outside of screen passes. Arkansas will run the option to death and occasionally try to catch the Tigers sleeping by dropping back and throwing a pass.
Arkansas running back Cedric Cobbs is fourth in the nation in rushing, averaging more than 140 yards per game. Williams is only averaging 80 yards per game but put up a 36-carry, 185-yard performance against Tennessee last week.
The game will come down to two factors: Can anybody stop the run? And can anyone throw the ball? It would also be nice to see Tommy Tuberville and Houston Nutt get into a fist fight.
Arkansas 17, Auburn 13
No. 8 Georgia @ No. 13 Tennessee, Sat. 6:45 p.m., ESPN2
If Georgia wins this, then in all likelihood, they will practically already be crowned the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division Champions.
While it won’t be official just yet, it would be almost impossible for the Dawgs to not win it. Both the Vols and Bulldogs are the only teams in the East with just one loss. The winner will have the upper hand.
Georgia is coming off an impressive 37-23 spanking of Alabama at home. The Bulldogs are looking to start a new winning streak on the road after falling to LSU three weekends ago. With all the hype surrounding him, Georgia quarterback David Greene is just sixth in the conference in pass efficiency.
Tennessee is coming off a loss to Auburn that saw the Vols – who usually are able to run the ball on anybody – rush for just four yards. If the Vols have to rely on quarterback Casey Clausen, who was 30-of-47 for 355 yards and two touchdowns, it could be trouble. Clausen is a solid quarterback, but the Vols offense is not built like the Texas Tech offense that throws for a gazillion yards per game.
This all equals a close one at Rocky Top.
Georgia 20, Tennessee 16
Florida @ No. 6 LSU, Sat. 2:30 p.m., CBS
Poor Chris Leak. The true freshman quarterback will visit by far the nation’s most hostile, loud and intimidating crowd and will face a defensive unit that loves to blitz and rough up the quarterback.
The LSU defense is third in the country in scoring, giving up less than nine points per game, is fourth in total defense giving up 256 yards per game and fourth in rushing defense at 58 yards per game.
The Tigers are second in the conference in sacks and have the most interceptions in conference.
Leak, on the other hand, has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. The Florida O-Line is porous at best and allowed these same Tigers to wallop Rex Grossman in The Swamp last year.
This spells trouble for Florida.
LSU 27, Florida 17
Southern Mississippi @ Alabama, Sat. 2 p.m.
Bama will try to fight off another loss to a mid major while having some issues at the quarterback position. Starter Brodie Croyle has a banged up shoulder and backup Spencer Pennington was in a sling after being hurt in last week’s game, meaning third-string redshirt freshman Brandon Avalos will get to throw the rock around this week.
Oh well, at least Avalos will get to hand the ball off to senior Shaud Williams as Bama’s season continues to spin out of control.
Bama 23, USM 13
Memphis @ Mississippi State, Sat. 1:30 p.m.
Could it really happen? Could Memphis, a Tennessee school, actually be crowned the Mississippi State Champions? The Tigers have already beaten Ole Miss, but did lose to Southern Miss earlier this season. Still, knock off the state’s two SEC teams and I’ll give the title to them.
Memphis 27, State 24
Navy @ Vanderbilt, Sat. 1 p.m.
In all honesty, who cares? This isn’t the Navy team that was one of the best in the nation 30-40 years ago. And besides, Vandy proved it was the worst team in the SEC with its thrilling 30-21 lost to State last weekend. Notice the sarcasm.
Vandy 24, Navy 13
Arkansas St. @ Ole Miss, Sat. 1 p.m.
Eli Manning will continue to rough up defenses – if that’s what you want to call the 11 Arkansas State players lined up against the Ole Miss offense. However, ASU will also get some passing yards against one of the worst secondaries in the country.
Ole Miss 56, ASU 10