SEC Matchups: Sept. 8

AUBURN (0-1) AT MISSISSIPPI STATE (1-0)

Time: Noon.

TV: ESPN.

Skinny: Auburn has won close games the past two years, 41-34 in 2011 and 17-14 in 2010. This is the kind of game SEC West also-rans need to win.

Key Players: Auburn QB Keihl Frazier has to improve on a 40-percent (11-of-27) passing performance in a loss to Clemson.

Line: State by 3 1/2.

E. CAROLINA (1-0) AT S0uth CAROLINA (1-0)

Time: 12:21 p.m.

TV: MyVLT.

Skinny: The big story is QB Connor Shaw's bruised right shoulder. Backup Dylan Thompson may have to play. ECU got a victory against Appalachian State last week.

Key Players: What's the school record for rushes in a game? Given Shaw's predicament, Marcus Lattimore should be a busy man.

Line: South Carolina by 21.

FLORIDA (1-0, 0-0) AT TEXAS A&M (0-0, 0-0)

Time: 3:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN.

Skinny: The Gators bring SEC football to a sold-out, wild and wooly Kyle Field — which sat empty last week due to a hurricane-related postponement. Thus the Aggies' SEC Era and the Kevin Sumlin Era start in lockstep.

Key Players: Florida's Mike Gillislie's 148 yards topped all SEC rushers on opening weekend. Since A&M was denied an opening weekend, redshirt freshman QB Johnny Manziel jumps right into the deep end.

Line: Texas A&M by 1 1/2.

WESTERN KY. (1-0) AT ALABAMA (1-0)

Time: 3:39 p.m.

TV: MyVLT.

Skinny: Here's your bar-bet win for the weekend — believe it or not, both teams have won seven of their past eight games and their only loss was to LSU. Look it up.

Key Players: WKU's Kawaun Jakes passed for 276 yards in the first half last week as the Hilltoppers ended up with 596 yards against Austin Peay.

Line: Alabama by 40.

WASHINGTON (1-0) AT LSU (1-0)

Time: 7 p.m.

TV: ESPN.

Skinny: Two former Tennessee defensive coordinators, Justin Wilcox and John Chavis, duel from the coaching booth. Chavis has more bullets in his gun. The Huskies lost starting tailback Jessie Callier to an ACL injury in a win over San Diego State.

Key Players: Washington brought a live tiger in to practice this week. Huskies QB Keith Price has more to fear from Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo.

Line: LSU by 24.

UTEP (0-1) AT OLE MISS (1-0)

Time: 7 p.m.

TV: FSN.

Skinny: Coach Hugh Freeze had a cupcake win (Central Arkansas) in his Ole Miss debut. This week his Rebels face a UTEP team whose only score against Oklahoma came on a blocked punt.

Key Players: One-time Vol QB Nick Lamaison had a rough opener for UTEP, 7-of-26 for 48 yards. Ole Miss WR Donte Moncrief likes the Freeze offense after eight catches for 104 yards in the opener.

Line: Ole Miss by 7 1/2.

LA.-MONROE (0-0) AT ARKANSAS (1-0)

Time: 7 p.m.

TV: ESPNU.

Skinny: Fun fact — Louisiana Monroe won the I-AA national title in 1987.

Key Players: Arkansas' second-teamers should get some grass stains. The Razorbacks don't want to overextend the headliners with Alabama coming up next week.

Line: Arkansas by 30 1/2.

KENT STATE (1-0) AT KENTUCKY (0-1)

Time: 7:30.

TV: CSS.

Skinny: Mid-American Conference teams are always dangerous for vulnerable BCS programs like Kentucky. Ask newly vulnerable Penn State, which loss to Ohio last Saturday.

Key Players: Kent State's Andre Parker had his 15 minutes of fame this week for returning a muffed punt 58 yards the wrong way in the Flashes' victory against Towson. UK could use a little field-position help, too.

Line: Kentucky by 6 1/2.

GEORGIA (1-0, 0-0) AT MISSOURI (1-0, 0-0)

Time: 7:45 p.m.

TV: ESPN2.

Skinny: After a 62-10 victory against Southeastern Louisiana, Mizzou takes on the SEC. The Tigers will notice the difference.

Key Players: Freshman Todd Gurley scored three TDs in his Georgia debut, including a 100-yard kickoff return. Mark Richt promises Gurley will get more than eight touches at tailback this week.

Line: Georgia by 2.

VANDERBILT (0-1) AT NORTHWESTERN (1-0)

Time: 8 p.m.

TV: Big Ten Network.

Skinny: A Vanderbilt scholarship is worth an estimated $54,178 a year. Northwestern clocks in at $53,983. Hope these guys appreciate what they're getting.

Key Players: Vandy QB Jordan Rodgers should find friendlier skies than against South Carolina. Northwestern gave up 470 passing yards to Syracuse.

Line: Vandy by 3 1/2.