SEC Week 5: Viewer's guide, picks
As the college football season moves past the one-third mark, it's time to truly find out which SEC teams are going to be contenders for the conference championship and possibly advance to the two national semifinals.
Certainly, Ole Miss and Georgia are the two logical favorites right now. But all of that can change over the next nine weeks.
Columnist Dave Ammenheuser has posted a 33-9 record picking games involving SEC teams this season. His misses last week were Florida beating Tennessee (you'd think he'd learn by now) and Mississippi State's win at Auburn.
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SOUTH CAROLINA (2-2) at MISSOURI (3-1)
Oct. 3, 11 a.m., in Columbia, Mo.
TV: SEC Network
Last week's games: South Carolina beat Central Florida 31-14; Missouri lost to Kentucky 21-13
All-time series: Missouri leads 3-2
Opening line: Missouri -3.5
Ammenheuser says: This game is critical for both programs. Missouri's inept offense finally caught up to the Tigers in last week's loss at Kentucky. South Carolina got a breather in its win over Central Florida. I'm not so sure that Lorenzo Nunez is the answer to the Gamecocks' quarterback problems. MISSOURI 20, SOUTH CAROLINA 17
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ALABAMA (3-1) at GEORGIA (4-0)
Oct. 3, 2:30 p.m., in Athens, Ga.
TV: WTVF-5
Last week's games: Alabama beat La.-Monroe 34-0; Georgia beat Southern 48-6
All-time series: Alabama leads 36-25-4
Opening line: Georgia -2
Ammenheuser says: One of the best games of the SEC season schedule. It's been several years since the Crimson Tide opened as an underdog in a SEC game. If the Crimson Tide are to get back into the title picture, this is a must-win game. Coach Mark Richt's Bulldogs could stumble in this one, win the SEC East and still be a contender for a national playoff spot. GEORGIA 28, ALABAMA 24
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SAN JOSE STATE (2-2) at AUBURN (2-2)
Oct. 3, 3 p.m. in Auburn, Ala.
TV: SEC Network
Last week's games: San Jose beat Fresno State 49-23; Auburn lost to Miss. State 17-9
All-time series: Auburn leads 1-0
Opening line: Auburn -20.5
Ammenheuser says: It was just a month ago when the Auburn Tigers were the fashionable pick to win the SEC West. After opening their SEC schedule with back-to-back losses, they're simply looking to get back on the winning side. Sean White gets his second start at quarterback for the Tigers. AUBURN 49, SAN JOSE STATE 14
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ARKANSAS (1-3) at TENNESSEE (2-2)
Oct. 3, 6 p.m., in Knoxville
TV: ESPN2
Last week's games: Arkansas lost to Texas A&M 28-21; Tennessee lost to Florida 28-27
All-time series: Tennessee leads 13-4
Opening line: Tennessee -7.5
Ammenheuser says: The Vols can't wait to get on the field Saturday and get past last week's meltdown in Gainesville, Fla. If Arkansas is going to snap its losing streak, they'll need to do it this week in Knoxville. With Alabama and Auburn on the schedule next, this is the one game the Razorbacks could win. But they won't. TENNESSEE 31, ARKANSAS 21
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OLE MISS (4-0) at FLORIDA (4-0)
Oct. 3, 6 p.m., in Gainesville, Fla.
TV: ESPN
Last week's games: Ole Miss beat Vanderbilt 27-16; Florida beat Tennessee 28-27
All-time series: Ole Miss leads 12-10-1
Opening line: Ole Miss -6.5
Ammenheuser says: Did Ole Miss' effort against Vanderbilt surprise many? Were they overlooking the Commodores or has Vandy improved that much? It's unlikely the Rebels will look past the unbeaten Gators. But can the Gators stop Jaylen Walton? OLE MISS 33, FLORIDA 26
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EASTERN MICHIGAN (1-3) at LSU (4-0)
Oct. 3, 6 p.m. in Baton Rouge, La.
TV: ESPNU
Last week's games: Eastern Michigan lost to Army 58-36; LSU beat Syracuse 34-24
All-time series: First meeting
Opening line: LSU -45
Ammenheuser says: Nobody is stopping Les Miles and the Tigers anytime soon. This is another easy non-conference win. LSU 55, EASTERN MICHIGAN 6
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VANDERBILT (1-3) at MTSU (2-2)
Oct. 3, 6 p.m., in Murfreesboro
TV: CBS SN (CBS Sports Network)
Last week's games: Vanderbilt lost to Ole Miss 27-16; MTSU lost to Illinois 27-25
All-time series: Vanderbilt leads 12-3
Opening line: MTSU -4.5
Ammenheuser says: Outside of Alabama-Georgia, this is the most interesting game on the schedule. A win will do a lot to boost both programs. Johnny McCrary has played mistake-free football the past two weeks. That's been a big difference for the Commodores' offense. Can the MTSU defense contain McCrary? Will the Vanderbilt defense slow down freshman quarterback Brent Stockstill? VANDERBILT 36, MTSU 35
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EASTERN KENTUCKY (2-1) at KENTUCKY (3-1)
Oct. 3, 6:30 p.m. in Lexington, Ky.
TV: SEC Network
Last week's games: Eastern Kentucky was idle; Kentucky beat Missouri 21-13
All-time series: Kentucky leads 3-0
Opening line: No line
Ammenheuser says: The Wildcats are off to the same quick start they had in 2014. Remember the 5-1 start? That season ended with six straight losses. This team has a different feel about it. The roll continues, at least for another week. KENTUCKY 44, EASTERN KENTUCKY 28
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MISSISSIPPI STATE (3-1) at TEXAS A&M (4-0)
Oct. 3, 6:30 p.m., in College Station, Texas
TV: SEC Network
Last week's games: Miss. State beat Auburn 17-9; Texas A&M beat Arkansas 28-21
All-time series: Tied 4-4
Opening line: Texas A&M -6
Ammenheuser says: Kyle Allen is one of the leading favorites for the SEC Offensive Player of the Year. He's completed 65.3 percent of his passes, throwing for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns with just two interceptions. The Aggies improve to 5-0. Alabama and Ole Miss are up next. TEXAS A&M 37, MISS. STATE 28
Reach Dave Ammenheuser at 615-259-8352 and on Twitter @NashSportsEd.