SEC matchups

SEC matchups

Ole Miss at Auburn

Time: 12:21 p.m. TV: WVLT.

Skinny: Auburn's once-high-flying offense is running out of gas. The Tigers have averaged 15.7 points in their past three games, all losses. Uh, hold off on that Nobel Prize nomination for Gus Malzahn. For the past two weeks Ole Miss has finally played like the preseason SEC West favorite.

Key Players: Everyone had been wondering why Ole Miss wasn't getting the ball in Dexter McCluster's hands more often. McCluster went off on Arkansas for 260 total yards, becoming the first Reb in the modern era (records date to 1965) to total 100 yards in both rushing and receiving in a game. What took so long?

Line: Ole Miss, by 4.

Florida vs. Georgia

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

Skinny: The bad news for Georgia is that Florida's defense is getting healthier. The worse news is that even banged up it was already terrific. The Gators are back at No. 1 this week but still appear vulnerable with three 10-point wins and a last-second escape against Arkansas. Kentucky is the only SEC foe they've dominated.

Key Players: Georgia linebacker Reggie Curran is a tackling machine, averaging an SEC-high 10.3 per game. Georgia quarterback Joe Cox better watch out for Florida defensive end Carlos Dunlap. After a so-so start, Dunlap is turning up the heat and has five sacks.

Line: Florida, by 15 1/2.

Eastern Michigan at Arkansas

Time: 7 p.m. TV: ESPNU.

Skinny: Winless Eastern Michigan leads the nation in pass defense at 124 yards a game. But that's because the Eagles are last in the nation in rushing defense at 275 per game. No one bothers to throw.

Key Players: Ryan Mallett's passing accuracy has been declining against tough defenses like Florida and Ole Miss, but this should be a big day for Michael Smith and the other Arkansas running backs to pad their stats.

Line: Arkansas, by 38.

Miss. State at Kentucky

Time: 7 p.m. TV: FSS.

Skinny: The Wildcats convert only 38.2 percent of their third downs but 76.9 percent of their fourth downs (10-of-13). Go figure. The worst SEC rushing defense has to find a way to slow State's Anthony Dixon.

Key Players: Here's a new name to circle in Kentucky's scouting report on State -- Johnthan Banks. The freshman DB intercepted two Tim Tebow passes last week and returned both for touchdowns.

Line: Kentucky, by 3 1/2.

Georgia Tech at Vanderbilt

Time: 7:30. TV: CSS.

Skinny: Tough non-conference scheduling by the Commodores means a four-game losing streak likely extends to five. The Yellow Jackets lead the nation in time of possession and are stalking an ACC title. Vandy is just trying to find the end zone.

Key Players: Vandy freshman Warren Norman leads the SEC in all-purpose yardage at 157.5 per game. He had a 99-yard kickoff return last week, Vandy's only touchdown at South Carolina.

Line: Georgia Tech, by 12.

Tulane at LSU

Time: 8 p.m. TV: Pay-per-view.

Skinny: Tulane allows 195 rushing yards per game so if LSU doesn't get the running game in gear tonight it never will. Tulane has surrendered at least 31 points in six of seven games.

Key Players: LSU sophomore quarterback Jordan Jefferson is coming off a career game against Auburn, 21-of-31 passing for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Linebacker Harry Coleman is the SEC defensive player of the week after forcing a pair of fumbles against Auburn.

Line: LSU, by 35.

- Mike Strange