Tennessee faces a top-25 Vanderbilt clash. Elsewhere, playoff hopes hinge on key SEC rivalries as the regular season culminates.
Tennessee football brought an end to a 22-year-long road-losing drought last weekend in Gainesville.
Yet the rivalry theme remains at the center for the Vols as the schedule turns to “rivalry week.” For Tennessee, that means a meeting at Neyland Stadium against the surging Vanderbilt Commodores.
No. 12 Vanderbilt (9-2, 5-2) at No. 18 Tennessee (8-3, 4-3)
It’s been six seasons since the Commodores defeated the Vols; the last time was in 2018, in a 38-13 Vanderbilt victory. This is the first occasion that the team has met in their history where both schools are ranked in the top 25.
Diego Pavia has had the Commodores firmly in the playoff conversation entering week 12, but has had trouble against the stronger opponents. In the last instance this season, Vanderbilt faced a ranked road team, and it lost to Texas, 34-31.
Joey Aguilar and the offense got back on track last week against the Gators; no interceptions was a critical piece, and will be a key factor for the Vols this Saturday. Tennessee 36, Vanderbilt 31
No. 6 Ole Miss (10-1, 6-1) at Mississippi State (5-6, 1-6)
Lane Kiffin has been the centerpiece of coaching drama once again, yet Ole Miss remains in prime contention for not only the playoffs but a spot in the SEC title game in Atlanta.
The Rebels need a win Friday, as well as a Texas and Alabama loss, if they are going to make the title-game trip.
Mississippi State has had an up-and-down season after starting strong. The Bulldogs finished with just one conference win over Arkansas. Despite being at home, the Egg Bowl this season may be all Rebels this Friday. Ole Miss 38, Mississippi State 24
No. 4 Georgia (10-1) vs No. 23 Georgia Tech (9-2)
Another team finding themselves thrust into the championship game contention, Georgia welcomes in a streaky Georgia Tech team Friday in the Mercedes Benz Dome, which just lost a big game to Pittsburgh last weekend.
In order to make the title game, Georgia needs Alabama or Texas A&M to lose their contests.
After their loss to Alabama earlier in the season, Georgia has had limited errors in their game; it may be more of the same as they head on the road for a ranked rivalry matchup. Georgia 41, Georgia Tech 24
Kentucky (5-6) at Louisville (7-4)
Kentucky has the chance Saturday to end its season with a bowl-clinching win, as well as a nice rivalry win over a Louisville team that has been slumping near the end of the season.
With three straight losses, all coming from conference teams, Jeff Brohm and Louisville have struggled to find their footing. Their last loss against SMU was the worst of the season, a 38-6 blowout on the road.
Kentucky has a chance, but it also hasn’t compiled the most impressive wins. Despite Louisville’s recent struggle, it’ll handle business against a struggling Kentucky team. Louisville 24, Kentucky 18
Clemson (6-5) at South Carolina (4-7)
It has not been the most memorable of seasons for either of these programs. For Clemson, its season has been doomed from the start after a loss to LSU, Georgia Tech, and Syracuse, all in the first four weeks.
South Carolina, on the other hand, began the season ranked after starting 2-0, moving to as high as the top-10 before losing all but one conference game during the entire season.
The Gamecocks may not seem to have much over Clemson, but the home environment, matched with the team’s preparedness from a tough schedule, should have them in a decent position to put up a fight. South Carolina 33, Clemson 30
LSU (7-4, 3-4) at No. 8 Oklahoma (9-2, 5-2)
The Sooners have been rolling along despite a gauntlet of a schedule to close out the season.
With two big road wins in the last three weeks over Tennessee and Alabama, respectively, coach Brent Venables has his team in a prime position to qualify for the College Football Playoff.
LSU, on the other hand, is waiting for the season to end so it can make a move on whoever the next head coach may be. After barely escaping Western Kentucky last week, Oklahoma should be able to handle business over the Tigers. Oklahoma 31, LSU 20
Missouri (7-4, 3-4) at Arkansas (2-9, 0-7)
Quarterback Beau Pribula returned to action after an injury suffered against Vanderbilt, but it wasn’t much different as Mizzou dropped its last game to Oklahoma on the road.
The Tigers have lost three of their last five amidst the injury, but this game against the Razorbacks, a team that is winless in conference play, can serve as a nice “get right” for the team.
Arkansas remains winless in conference play in what becomes a very forgettable season in Fayetteville. Missouri 27, Arkansas 19
Florida State (5-6) at Florida (3-8)
It’s been an all too familiar situation for both of these Florida teams. Just like last season, both teams have found themselves in situations that were not anticipated at the beginning of the year.
The Gators are coming off the heels of one of their worst performances of the season against Tennessee. While Florida State is not on the same level in terms of talent, there still remains a challenge of limiting the ever-so creative Thomas Castellanos.
Castellanos and the Seminoles are eyeing a bowl berth with a win, but it is never easy to win at "The Swamp." Florida State 30, Florida 18
No. 10 Alabama (9-2, 6-1) at Auburn (5-6, 1-6)
The Iron Bowl is one of college football’s most prestigious rivalries. While the stakes aren’t as high for Auburn as they are for the Crimson Tide, it doesn’t mean it won’t make for a great contest.
Alabama needs a win to clinch a spot in the SEC Championship game. Senior Ashton Daniels gets the nod as Auburn’s starting quarterback, even though the Tigers have started two others this year, Duece Knight and Jackson Arnold.
Even with some struggles, the Tide are in a prime position for both the playoffs and a shot at the conference championship game; it just depends on whether Ty Simpson can keep the Tide offense scoring points instead of turnovers. Alabama 34, Auburn 22