SEC matchups for Saturday

Ole Miss (2-2, 0-1 SEC) at Florida (3-0, 1-0)

Time: 12:30 p.m. TV: WVLT.

Skinny: The No. 4-ranked Gators return to the Swamp after chomping on Vols in Knoxville last week. Florida evened the series record against UT and can do the same against the Rebels. Ole Miss holds an 11-10-1 advantage and upset Florida the last time the teams met in Gainesville, 20-17 in 2003. The Rebels are trying to rebound from last week’s 23-17 loss to Vanderbilt.

Key players: Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes had 10 tackles against the Vols and leads the SEC’s top-ranked defense (allowing 6.3 points and 213 yards per game). QB Tim Tebow had one of his worst statistical games against UT. Ole Miss QB Jevan Snead, a Texas transfer, was off to a fast start to the season before getting picked off three times against the Commodores.

Line: Florida by 22 1/2.

Arkansas (2-1) at Texas (3-0)

Time: 3:30 p.m. TV: WATE.

Skinny: This is the game postponed from Sept. 13 by Hurricane Ike. Two weeks later, things don’t look any better for the Razorbacks. After two ugly victories to start the season, Arkansas looked inept in a 49-14 loss to Alabama last week. The No. 7-ranked Longhorns have yet to be tested in romps past Florida Atlantic, UTEP and Rice. Texas owns a 55-21 series advantage in this border war, but the Razorbacks have won three of the past four meetings in Austin.

Key players: Texas QB Cody McCoy is off to a blistering start, completing 63-of-81 passes for 833 yards and eleven TDs. He also leads the Longhorns in rushing with 194 yards and two TDs. After opening the season with two 300-yard passing games, Arkansas QB Casey Dick was intercepted three times by ‘Bama, two of those returned for TDs.

Line: Texas by 27 1/2.

Western Kentucky (2-2) at Kentucky (3-0)

Time: 7 p.m. TV: PPV, ESPN360.com

Skinny: Kentucky’s defense gave up an average of 29.6 points in 2007. So far in 2008, the Wildcats are ranked No. 2 nationally, allowing 6.3 in victories against Louisville, Norfolk State and MTSU. The Hilltoppers have lopsided victories against Eastern Kentucky and Murray State to go with lopsided losses to Indiana and Alabama. This is the first meeting between WKU and UK.

Key players: Former Smyrna standout and Notre Dame transfer David Wolke has completed 38-of-68 passes for 454 yards and three TDs as WKU QB. Kentucky QB Mike Hartline had his best game as a Wildcat last week against MTSU, completing 28-of-47 passes for 254 yards with two TDs and no interceptions.

Line: Kentucky by 21 1/2.

UAB (1-3) at South Carolina (2-2)

Time: 7 p.m. TV; PPV, ESPN360.com

Skinny: UAB’s offense averages 424.8 yards per game, but the defense is ranked No. 117 in the nation, allowing nearly 500 a game. The Blazers may be just the cure South Carolina’s stagnant offense is looking for after averaging 20.3 points in four games. The Gamecocks won the only previous meeting with UAB 42-10 in 2003.

Key players: UAB QB Joe Webb impressed Tennessee with his athleticism in a 35-3 loss to the Vols on Sept. 13. He is averaging 325.3 yards of total offense per game, ranked No. 9 nationally. SC QB Chris Smelley completed 23-of-33 passes for 204 yards against Wofford, but was intercepted twice and heard some boos from the Gamecock faithful. He could be benched this week.

Line: South Carolina by 24 1/2.

Mississippi State (1-3, 0-1 SEC) at LSU (3-0, 1-0)

Time: 7:30 p.m. TV: ESPN2.

Skinny: No. 5-ranked LSU survived its first scare of the season, scoring in the final two minutes to beat Auburn 26-21 last week. The Bulldogs aren’t likely to provide another scare unless LSU has a serious letdown. MSU is ranked No. 112 nationally in scoring offense at 14.3 per game. LSU leads the all-time series 65-33-3 and beat the Bulldogs 45-0 last season.

Key players: LSU QB Jarrett Lee redeemed himself from a horrendous first half against Auburn, leading the Tigers’ comeback. SEC leading rusher Charles Scott is still the LSU focus with 394 yards, four TDs and a 9-yard per carry average. MSU QB Wesley Carroll has been intercepted six times and RB Anthony Dixon not as productive as expected after a 1,066-yard season as a sophomore.

Line: LSU by 24.

Alabama (4-0, 1-0 SEC) at Georgia (4-0, 1-0)

Time: 7:45 p.m. TV: ESPN.

Skinny: LSU-Auburn provided the SEC spotlight game last week, but it’s Tide vs. Dogs this week. Georgia will break out the black uniforms and enters the game ranked No. 3 after easing to a 27-10 victory at Arizona State last week. Alabama has climbed to No. 8 in the rankings after routing Arkansas 49-14. The Crimson Tide leads the all-time series 35-25-4, but Georgia claimed a 26-23 overtime victory in Tuscaloosa last year.

Key players: Same as usual for Georgia. RB Knowshon Moreno had 149 yards and two TDs against the Sun Devils. For the season, he has 455 yards and nine TDs. QB Matt Stafford has passed for 919 yards and five TDs. Alabama relies on the 1-2 running punch of Glen Coffee (404 yards, 8.6 yards per carry) and Mark Ingram (263 yards, four TDs).

Line: Georgia by 7.