SEC matchups: Sept. 26

SEC MATCHUPS

LSU at Mississippi State

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

Skinny: If this one goes true to form, don't look for a shootout. LSU is last in the SEC in total offense (325.7 yards) and the Bulldogs are 10th (349.3). State's scoring production has dropped weekly from 49 to 24 to 15 and LSU will be the best defense its faced yet. LSU is 3-0 for the third consecutive year under Les Miles.

Key Players: Brandon LaFell, the LSU senior, is the SEC active career leader in catches (132) and touchdowns (17). LSU kicker Josh Jasper is 5-of-5 on field goals and had a career-long 52-yarder last week. State's Sean Brauchle is 5-of-5 since missing his first two tries.

Line: LSU, by 12 1/2.

Arkansas at Alabama

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

Skinny: Something's gotta give. The nation's No. 2 offense (Arkansas, 538 yards per game) meets the No. 3 defense (Alabama, 185 yards per game). The Razorbacks are prolific passing but probably won't be able to run for 100 yards on the Tide. Arkansas is converting only 25 percent of its third downs, an ominous note against a defense as good as Bama's.

Key Players: Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett leads the nation in passing efficiency; Alabama has only one interception in three games. Alabama receiver Julio Jones is back from a knee injury hoping to end an 11-game streak without a touchdown catch.

Line: Alabama, by 17 1/2.

Florida at Kentucky

Time: 6 p.m. TV: ESPN2.

Skinny: Let's talk streaks. Florida is on a school-record 13-game winning streak, which also is the longest active streak in the nation. The Gators also have beaten Kentucky 22 in a row, most recently by a 63-5 count last year. Look for the Gators to try for the big kill today that was denied them last week in a 23-13 "squeaker" over Tennessee. The Wildcats are 3-8 against No. 1 teams, but upset LSU in 2007.

Key Players: Tim Tebow got his 46th career rushing touchdown against the Vols. He needs only three to tie Herschel Walker's SEC record of 49. Kentucky's Randall Cobb leads the SEC with 6.5 catches per game. Derrick Locke has two career 100-yard kickoff returns for Kentucky, but will facing Florida's excellent special teams.

Line: Florida, by 21 1/2.

Ball State at Auburn

Time: 7 p.m. TV: FSN.

Skinny: Good scheduling by Auburn. Ball State was 12-0 regular season in 2008 but lost its coach, Brady Hoke, and, apparently, its mojo. The Cardinals are 0-3 in 2009. Could be a repeat of Auburn's 63-3 romp over Ball State in 2005.

Key Players: Ben Tate is the SEC's leading rusher (116.3 yards per game) for an offense that has scored in all 12 quarters this season. Antoine Carter returns from an injury at defensive end, which provides needed depth for am Auburn defense that has give up 350.3 yards per game.

Line: Auburn, by 33.

Arizona State at Georgia

Time: 7 p.m. TV: ESPNU.

Skinny: Georgia's defense is gasping for breath after allowing 721 passing yards the past two weeks. The Bulldogs rank 97th in total defense and 108th in scoring defense, giving up 34 points a game. Good thing Joe Cox and the offense have been in sync the past two weeks. The Sun Devils are auditioning kickers because of an injury to 2007 Lou Groza Award winner Thomas Weber.

Key Players: Arizona State QB Danny Sullivan, like Cox, waited his turn to become the starter. He's never played in an environment like Sanford Stadium, though. Caleb King is coming on at tailback for the Bulldogs, putting heat on starter Richard Samuels.

Line: Georgia, by 12.

Vanderbilt at Rice

Time: 8 p.m. TV: CSS.

Skinny: The Commodores (1-2) have to beat the Owls (0-3) to sustain hope of a second straight bowl trip. The no-huddle offense has struggled under the direction of QB Larry Smith. Vandy is last in the SEC in time of possession (26:44), which has a negative impact on the defense.

Key Players: Running backs Jared Hawkins and Zac Stacy practiced this week and should return to the backfield. Rice quarterback Nick Fanuzzi is a transfer from Alabama. He's in his first season running the Rice offense.

Line: Vandy, by 7.

- Mike Strange