UNDATED (AP) — The top game in the Southeastern Conference this week is No. 3 Alabama at No. 6 Tennessee. It’s a classic matchup of Alabama’s strong defense against Tennessee’s high-powered offense. The Volsare led by quarterback Hendon Hooker. The Crimson Tide and star linebacker Will Anderson Jr. are sixth nationally in total defense and scoring defense. There’s a chance Alabama quarterback and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young will be return from injury this week. Young missed his team’s 24-20 victory over Texas A&M last week with a shoulder injury.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Undefeated Tennessee hosts No. 3 Alabama on Saturday in a huge game. It will be the first time since 1989 that both teams in this intense rivalry have both been unbeaten at kickoff. Sixth-ranked Tennessee is trying to climb back among college football’s elite for the first time since 2006. The Crimson Tide has been an annual national title contender since hiring Nick Saban as head coach. Saban is 15-0 against the Volunteers since then.
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — The Georgia Bulldogs are back atop the rankings, even though their style points are a bit lacking. They reclaimed the No. 1 spot after Alabama went down to the final play against Texas A&M. Georgia has struggled a bit against overmatched opponents, especially on offense. The 6-0 Bulldogs will be facing another team that fits that bill on Saturday, hosting 3-3 Vanderbilt in an SEC contest between the hedges. The Commodores have lost 23 straight conference games and were blown out by Georgia a year ago, 62-0. Vandy is facing its third straight Top 10 opponent.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — No. 16 Mississippi State is playing its best football under Mike Leach. It takes a three-game winning streak on the road to No. 22 Kentucky on Saturday. The Bulldogs have come a long way since losing at LSU last month, outscoring opponents by a 127-55 margin beind quarterback Will Rogers. Kentucky has lost two straight. The Wildcats hope to have quarterback Will Levis back from a left foot injury. Kaiya Sheron is ready to make his second consecutive start if needed.
UNDATED (AP) — Lane Kiffin and No. 9 Mississippi are trying to keep on rolling. Bryan Harsin and Auburn just want to stop the bleeding. The reeling Tigers visit the rolling Rebels in a game with two programs that have headed in opposite directions the past two seasons. The Rebels did have to rally to beat Vanderbilt after huge games from quarterback Jaxson Dart and receiver Jonathan Mingo. Auburn lost 42-10 to Georgia a week after blowing a 17-0 lead against LSU. It has increased the rumblings about Harsin’s job security midway through his second season.
UNDATED (AP) — LSU heads to The Swamp for a game against Florida on Saturday. First-year coaches Brian Kelly and Billy Napier can move a step closer to bowl eligibility with a victory. LSU had been enjoying an impressive turnaround under Kelly until last week’s 40-13 debacle at Tennessee. Florida has been in every game this season under Napier, with both losses coming against ranked teams.
UNDATED (AP) — Arkansas travels to Provo, Utah, for its first meeting on the football field with BYU. The Cougars fell out of the AP Top 25 after a 28-20 loss to Notre Dame in Las Vegas. The Razorbacks started 3-0 but have dropped three straight. BYU has a 4-6 record against teams from the Southeastern Conference. Since Arkansas coach Sam Pittman took over, the Razorbacks have a 7-0 against nonconference foes.
UNDATED (AP) — Alabama’s Will Anderson and Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker and Josh Heupel are some of the Southeastern Conference’s top performers so far this season. Anderson is the unanimous pick as The Associated Press’ top SEC defensive player at the midway point. Hooker was voted as the top offensive player and Heupel was the unanimous choice as top SEC coach of the first half. The midseason awards were voted on by AP reporters covering the SEC. The third-ranked Crimson Tide and sixth-ranked Volunteers play this weekend in Knoxville.
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