For the second consecutive week, the SEC has two showcase games. A battle of No. 2 Auburn versus No. 3 Mississippi State highlights the action, with No. 3 Ole Miss and No. 14 Texas A&M not far behind. Can this week's games live up to last week's excitement? We'll see. And we'll see if Alex Scarborough can continue making up ground after a 5-1 week that included correctly calling the Ole Miss and Kentucky upsets. Let's get on with the picks.
Why Georgia wins: What I like about Georgia in this game is the simple fact that the Bulldogs have Todd Gurley in the backfield, and Missouri’s interior linemen are still suspect. When your running back is averaging more than 8 yards per rush, you’re in good hands even when your downfield passing game is inconsistent. The Bulldogs will dial up pressure to frustrate QB Maty Mauk and grind out a fourth-quarter win. Georgia 30, Missouri 24 -- Edward Aschoff
Why Missouri wins: Forget the Indiana loss last month. That's history. If the SEC has taught us anything, it's to expect the unexpected. I don't like picking against the team with the best player (Georgia and Todd Gurley), but I do like these three things: good quarterback play, a good pass rush and home-field advantage. Missouri has all three of those ingredients with Mauk, Shane Ray and Markus Golden and a chance to host the Bulldogs for the first time since their first SEC game in 2012. Missouri 35, Georgia 31 -- Sam Khan Jr.
Why Auburn wins: Mississippi State clearly has the athletes to play with Auburn and will play at home, which is a big advantage. But can the Bulldogs handle the spotlight that they now occupy? Auburn is accustomed to this kind of hoopla, and its proven ability to produce at crunch time might be just enough to help the Tigers squeak by. Auburn 38, Mississippi State 35 -- David Ching
Why Mississippi State wins: Two reasons. First, I think it’s important for Auburn to get off to a fast start, and I think that’s going to be difficult in a hostile environment. The Tigers struggled early at Kansas State, but their defense bailed them out. I don’t see that happening this week. The combination of Dak Prescott and Josh Robinson is just too good. Secondly, the Mississippi State defense is big, physical and equipped to handle Auburn’s rushing attack. Just look at last year’s game. Mississippi State 35, Auburn 27 -- Greg Ostendorf
Why Alabama wins big: Alabama may not be built to stop the hurry-up, no-huddle offense. But with big inside linebackers and even bigger nose guards, handling a physical running team like Arkansas shouldn't be a problem. With extra motivation from last week's loss at Ole Miss, look for the Crimson Tide to come out firing on all cylinders. Alabama 28, Arkansas 13 -- Alex Scarborough
Why Arkansas keeps it close: Nick Saban said it himself -- Arkansas is the nation's most improved team. Coming off a deflating loss, the Tide are beat up after losing three key players last week. The Razorbacks, meanwhile, are hungry to win their first SEC game under Bret Bielema. These are two of the SEC's best rushing teams. Arkansas does it a bit better, running for 219 yards a game compared to Alabama's 195. With rain in the forecast for Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Saturday, this is certain to be a tightly contested game, but Bama will escape. Alabama 30, Arkansas 28 -- Jeff Barlis
Why Florida wins: After an ugly comeback win over Tennessee, the Gators had to deal with some serious off-field issues this week. You have to wonder about them mentally, especially quarterback Jeff Driskel. But Florida is at home and its defense is riding high. Running back Matt Jones will be the difference for the Gators, as LSU owns the SEC’s worst rushing defense (184.3 yards allowed per game). Florida 17, LSU 14 -- Edward Aschoff
Why LSU wins: Which of these programs would you want to be right now? The one that frequently looks inept because of youthful growing pains or the one that seems to crumble a bit more each day? A Jeff Driskel-Anthony Jennings quarterback matchup might appeal only to masochists, but this could still be an entertaining game -- particularly if you're the type who rubbernecks while passing a car crash. LSU 21, Florida 10 -- David Ching
Why Ole Miss wins: The past two times these teams met, the Aggies have stolen wins with some late-game magic courtesy of Johnny Manziel. Well, he's in Cleveland now and this is a better Ole Miss defense than in the past two years (No. 1 in fewest TDs allowed, No. 6 in yards per game). QB Bo Wallace came up huge against Alabama; expect him to look to stud WR Laquon Treadwell early and often against this struggling Texas A&M secondary. Ole Miss 23, Texas A&M 20 -- Sam Khan Jr.
Why Texas A&M wins: There are a couple of things going on here. First, you wonder if Ole Miss is getting too big too soon. Second, you wonder if Texas A&M's offense can be held in check two weeks in a row. I see a letdown coming for the Rebs on the road and the Aggies getting right back on track against a top team in what should be a shootout. Texas A&M 35, Ole Miss 31 -- Alex Scarborough
More unanimous picks:
Kentucky over UL Monroe: The Wildcats are rolling and a win Saturday would put them at five wins, one away from becoming bowl eligible. Kentucky 27, UL Monroe 7
Tennessee over Chattanooga: After three straight losses, the Vols need to get back on track. How do you do that? Host an FCS team. Tennessee 41, Chattanooga 7
Vanderbilt over Charleston Southern: After the UMass game, nothing should be taken for granted, but Derek Mason should get win No. 2 on Saturday. Vanderbilt 31, CSU 14
Standings
Chris Low: 48-7
Edward Aschoff: 47-8
Jeff Barlis: 47-8
Greg Ostendorf: 47-8
Alex Scarborough: 46-9
David Ching: 45-10
Sam Khan Jr.: 44-11