By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Five week nine storylines in the SEC.

1. Florida Can Almost Clinch
Back in the pre-season, expectations were relatively-modest for year one of the Jim McElwain era in Gainesville; the Gators were picked fifth in the SEC East. Florida, instead, can all-but win the division before the calendar moves to November with a win over rival Georgia on Saturday. The Gators are considered slight favorites in Jacksonville and are still at least in the discussion, as a one-loss SEC team, for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Last season, Florida rushed for over 400 yards in a 38-20 win over the Bulldogs.

2. Georgia’s New-Look Offense
All three quarterbacks got first-team repititions in practice this week and Faton Bauta will be making his first-ever start against his home-state team. The Bulldogs are also obviously without All-American running back Nick Chubb, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the team’s loss at Tennessee. Running back Sony Michel, also a talented receiver, may be the x-factor on Saturday as Georgia takes on a talented Florida defense.

3. Ole Miss on the Plains
If the Rebels win out, they win the mighty SEC West. Step one in that upcoming four-game challenge is winning at Auburn. The Tigers are recovering from a disappointing four-overtime loss at Arkansas last weekend. Defensively, Ole Miss just held Texas A&M to 192 total yards and three points. The Rebels, along with Alabama and LSU, are contenders for the College Football Playoff.

4. A Tennessee Turnaround?
The Volunteers’ four losses have come by a combined 17 points, the most lopsided defeat coming by seven points in overtime. Last Saturday, Tennessee led late in a hard-fought game at Alabama. A road trip to improved Kentucky this weekend may, on paper, be the ‘Vols toughest game left. Though 3-4 overall, Tennessee could be favored in each of its final five games.

5. Vandy’s Big Test
In a late-October non-conference game, the Commodores will face one of college football’s remaining unbeatens. Houston, at 7-0, will host Vanderbilt on Saturday night. The Cougars rank in the top five in the country with both 561.1 yards and 47.6 points per game. Vanderbilt ranks second in the SEC, allowing only 16.3 points per game.