By Matt Smith
SouthernPigskin.com

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Previewing all of the weekend action in the Southeastern Conference.

Its Alabama-LSU week once again. Not too long ago, this game looked like an afterthought, as LSU seemed destined for a mediocre season after disposing of Les Miles after four games. October changed that thinking, however, as the Tigers won three straight games to stay just a game behind the Crimson Tide in the SEC West race. The last two meetings in Baton Rouge saw Alabama score in the final minute to either win (2012) or force overtime (2014). Lets hope for a game with just as much drama.

The rest of the schedule lacks a bit of sizzle, but Florida can all but lock up the SEC East with a win at Arkansas. That would allow the Gators to clinch the division next week at home against South Carolina. Texas A&M takes to the road for a potential trap game, while Auburn hopes to stay hot in its SEC home finale.

Although it may not feel like it outside, November is here, and that usually means more intense and more quality football. Will that happen this weekend in the SEC? Lets preview Week 10.

The Vitals

Vanderbilt at (9) Auburn, Noon ET (ESPN); Mike Patrick and Ed Cunningham
(4) Texas A&M at Mississippi State, Noon ET (SEC Network); Dave Neal and Matt Stinchcomb
Georgia Southern at Ole Miss, Noon ET (ESPNU); Eamon McAnaney and John Congemi
(11) Florida at Arkansas, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS); Brad Nessler and Aaron Taylor
Missouri at South Carolina, 4 p.m. ET (SEC Network); Tom Hart and Andre Ware
Tennessee Tech at Tennessee, 4 p.m. ET (SEC Network Alt.); Taylor Zarzour and Jordan Rodgers
Georgia at Kentucky, 7:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network); Brent Musburger and Jesse Palmer
(1) Alabama at (13) LSU, 8 p.m. ET (CBS); Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson

Players in the Spotlight

1. Vanderbilt LB Zach Cunningham

The SECs best rushing offense against the SECs best run defender? Sign me up for that. Cunningham obviously cant do it alone, but hell be tasked with containing an Auburn running game that has rolled over Mississippi State, Arkansas and Ole Miss in its past three games. The 4-4 Commodores, thanks to a high APR, are likely just one win away from getting to a bowl game. Thats in large part due to Cunningham making one of the seasons best tackles on a fourth-down stop to preserve a win over Georgia.

2. Arkansas QB Austin Allen

Its been an up-and-down season for the Razorbacks, and consequently, Allen as well. His offensive line has struggled, and now in comes Florida and its defensive front that gave Georgia virtually no time to throw last week. Allen is going to have to get the ball out quickly with the heavy pressure expected, but that will force him to test an aggressive Gators secondary. Only Tennessee has been able to crack this defense so far this season. Can Allen and the Hogs be the second?

3. LSU RB Leonard Fournette

Fournette was No. 1 in the Heisman Trophy race heading into last years game with Alabama. 19 carries and 31 yards later, his Heisman hopes were dashed, and LSUs national title hopes were all but gone. If Fournette is to do what Derrick Henry did a year ago and get back into the race on the heels of a big game in this rivalry, LSU likely defeats Alabama for the first time in five years. The Crimson Tide again lead the nation in stopping the run, allowing just 70 yards per game.

4. Mississippi State WR Fred Ross

The Bulldogs defense is a mess right now, having just allowed 40 and 41 points to Kentucky and Samford respectively. If Mississippi State has any chance of upsetting No. 4 Texas A&M, itll need to score early and often. Sustained drives will be difficult against the Aggies defense, so explosive plays are a must. Ross is the best bet to keep the Bulldogs in this game, as he has nearly double the number of receptions of any other Bulldog.

5. South Carolina QB Jake Bentley

Bentley, a true freshman, outplayed senior counterpart Joshua Dobbs last week in South Carolinas stunning upset of Tennessee. He now gets a seemingly easier opponent in Missouri, whose defense has been rocked by injuries and attrition. With a win, the Gamecocks likely lock up bowl eligibility 3 a remarkable achievement for a team with the worst roster in the conference heading into the season. Can Bentley avoid a letdown to which freshmen are so often prone after a breakout performance?

Trivia Time (answers below):

1. What was Nick Sabans record vs. Alabama in five seasons as LSU head coach?

2. Per Google Maps, how many miles is the drive between Gainesville and Fayetteville 3 the longest road trip in the SEC?

3. What true freshman quarterback threw three interceptions in Georgias most recent loss to Kentucky in Lexington?

Predictions

Last Week: 6-1 (5-2 ATS)
Season To Date: 55-17 (33-32-3 ATS)

Tennessee Tech at Tennessee (NL) (1 star): Tennessee just hopes to stay healthy and record a victory for the first time in five weeks when the Golden Eagles from 100 miles down I-40 come to Knoxville. Vols fans should get a good look at next years likely starting quarterback 3 sophomore Quinten Dormady. Tennessee 49, Tennessee Tech 10

Georgia Southern at Ole Miss (-27.5) (2 stars): Dont expect much of an atmosphere in Oxford, as the Rebels come in on a three-game losing streak for an 11 a.m. kickoff. The Eagles will nevertheless be a pesky opponent with their triple-option offense, having lost only by 11 to Georgia Tech in October. Ole Miss survives, but only because Chad Kelly will have to play much longer than expected in a fun shootout. Ole Miss 42, Georgia Southern 31.

Missouri at South Carolina (-7) (2 stars): For the first time all season in SEC play, the pressure is on South Carolina. The Gamecocks are just one win away from all but wrapping up a bowl trip, as they stand 4-4 and still play Western Carolina on SEC Cupcake Saturday. Can they handle the pressure, even against an injury-riddled Tigers team that has lost 10 straight SEC games? This is strictly a gut feeling, but I sense some heartbreak coming Saturday afternoon in Columbia. Missouri 20, South Carolina 19.

Vanderbilt at Auburn (-26) (3 stars): An intriguing coaching battle between Gus Malzahn and Derek Mason awaits, but will it even matter if the Commodores are unable to move the ball against a nasty Tigers defense? Its a bit of a trap game after the big road win at Ole Miss last week and with rivals Georgia and Alabama looming, but this Auburn team is playing to well too lose focus. Auburn 35, Vanderbilt 7.

Texas A&M (-13) at Mississippi State (3 stars): While the No. 4 Aggies dont control their destiny for a playoff berth, they can put themselves in great position to be the first ever College Football Playoff at-large team if they keep winning impressively. Texas A&M was blown out in its last trip to Starkville, but Dak Prescott isnt walking onto that field on Saturday. With style points needed, the Aggies will have no trouble with a porous Bulldogs defense and record an easy win and cover. Texas A&M 45, Mississippi State 21.

Georgia (-2.5) at Kentucky (3 stars): If Florida loses at Arkansas earlier in the day, Kentucky will be playing for first place in the SEC East when the lights come on at Commonwealth Stadium. Georgias offense has looked anemic since a strong performance against Tennessee, but the Wildcats defense is easily the worst unit the Bulldogs have faced since that loss to the Vols. Georgia isnt any good, but it feels like the stakes may get to the Wildcats here. Georgia 26, Kentucky 23

Florida (-4) at Arkansas (4 stars): I hate this game. What has the bye week done for Arkansas? Is Austin Allen healthy? Is Florida good, or have the Gators just taken advantage of a schedule with the softness of a babys behind? Then theres the Fayetteville factor, which is just a weird place to play, especially for a team that hardly ever makes that trip. A good defense seems to travel better than a good offense, so Ill call for the Gators to put the SEC East on lockdown with a road win. Florida 24, Arkansas 21.

Alabama (-7.5) at LSU (5 stars): Its an internal tug of war. Danny Etling cant beat Alabama . . . But LSU is probably the only team in the SEC that can match Alabama one-for-one athletically. Leonard Fournette is hitting his stride, and this is by far the best secondary that Jalen Hurts has faced . . . Danny Etling cant beat Alabama . . . But every Alabama-LSU game in Baton Rouge is a nailbiter, and the Tigers handed away the 2014 game on a post-play penalty. This LSU team is better than that one was . . . Danny Etling cant beat Alabama. Alabama 23, LSU 17.

Trivia Answers

1. 4-1

2. 1,034 miles

3. Matthew Stafford