SEC football storylines for Week 9

It's our regular weekly preview of SEC football. Week 9 doesn't have a loaded slate, but there are still plenty of notable stories to look at as the season moves from October to November and the pressure grows around the conference:

1 - Which version of Georgia shows up?

The Bulldogs looked like the best team in the SEC in the first half of the season, but then they stepped into a pothole against Auburn at home. Georgia's loss was that much more inexplicable because the Dawgs led Auburn by 14 points early in the game and then completely left the building. It was as though Georgia got very bored very quickly and was not ready to compete for 60 minutes. Now UGA has had two weeks to think about how badly it fumbled and stumbled against Auburn. Standing in the way is rival Florida. The game is in Atlanta, not in its normal Jacksonville location. This is a game Georgia absolutely should win. Will this team go back to being its normal self and regain control of the SEC, or are the problems seen against Auburn more alarming and pervasive than previously thought?

2 - The Florida rollercoaster

The Florida Gators have been one of the least predictable college football teams, SEC or otherwise, in 2026. They rise when everyone expects them to fall and vice-versa. Jon Sumrall has nothing to lose as the heavy underdog against Georgia. Will we see Florida continue to confound the experts, or will this become a reality check for the Gators?

3 - Ole Miss and the Georgia look-ahead

Ole Miss hosts Georgia next week in what could be a season-defining game for the Rebels. However, that Georgia game will contain maximum meaning only if Ole Miss handles Auburn first. Given that Auburn won at Georgia, and given that Ole Miss played poorly last week against Texas, the Rebels have no reason to look ahead to UGA. They have to take Auburn seriously. Will we see a mature performance from Pete Golding's team, whose season is squarely on the line this week? Forget about next week; if Ole Miss loses to Auburn, the season will be lost even before Georgia comes to Oxford.

4 - Underperformers on parade

South Carolina and Oklahoma are two deeply disappointing SEC teams. Which one will show a spine and stabilize its season in Week 9?

5 - Missouri on the road

Missouri struggles away from home. Now comes a visit to Arkansas. Hog fans hope Road Mizzou continues to show up. That might be the Razorbacks' best hope for an upset victory on Halloween, a treat instead of a trick.