SEC rankings: Mississippi State in driver's seat atop conference

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With Georgia's loss to Florida, the SEC's chance at a second playoff team is now slim to none, with the most realistic possibility being Mississippi State taking one spot as an unbeaten and Auburn taking another as an 11-1 division runner-up. More than likely, however, attrition will sharpen the SEC's impact on the playoff to a single fine point. Missouri is now in the driver's seat for the East division title for the second year in a row. The Tigers need to knock off Texas A&M, Tennessee and Arkansas to clinch a second straight trip to the SEC Championship Game.

» CFB Playoff rankings: Six things we learned

1. Mississippi State (8-0, 5-0 in SEC)

Up next: vs. Tennessee-Martin, Saturday, Nov. 8
The skinny: The Bulldogs will cruise here and enter a much-anticipated road game at Alabama, where quarterback Dak Prescott will play on what could be a make-or-break stage for the Heisman Trophy.

» Heisman Watch: Prescott still behind Mariota

2. Auburn (7-1, 4-1)

Up next: vs. Texas A&M, Saturday, Nov. 8
The skinny: Look for an offensive shootout here as the Tigers offense tries its hand against one of the SEC's worst defenses. The Tigers could easily score in the 40s here.

3. Alabama (7-1, 4-1)

Up next: at LSU, Saturday, Nov. 8
The skinny: What has become arguably the most physical game in the SEC will be a major test for Alabama's offensive line. The Crimson Tide must win here to stay in SEC title contention.

» Alabama's Collins to LSU: 'I picked the better team'

4. LSU (7-2, 3-2)

Up next: vs. Alabama, Saturday, Nov. 8
The skinny: The Tigers are at their toughest when playing a home game at night, and the LSU crowd is never louder than when Alabama comes to town. A big key for LSU will be the play of quarterback Anthony Jennings.

5. Ole Miss (7-2, 4-2)

Up next: vs. Presbyterian, Saturday, Nov. 8
The skinny: The Rebels try to pick up the pieces of what will be remembered as one of the most gut-wrenching losses in school history. Presbyterian will provide the outcome Ole Miss needs, but not the ointment it needs.

» CFB Playoff rankings: SEC West takeover

6. Georgia (6-2, 4-2)

Up next: at Kentucky, Saturday, Nov. 8
The skinny: The Bulldogs will be looking to rebound from an embarrassing performance against Florida, and Kentucky just might oblige. It also marks the last game star RB Todd Gurley will have to sit out on suspension.

7. Missouri (7-2, 4-1)

Up next: at Texas A&M, Saturday, Nov. 15
The skinny: Suddenly, the Tigers find themselves in control of the SEC East, but they'll have to sweep the Aggies, Tennessee and Arkansas in order to claim it. Not impossible, but not easy.

8. Texas A&M (6-3, 2-3)

Up next: at Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 8
The skinny: New starting quarterback Kyle Allen gets fire-tested here in his first SEC start, on the road against a College Football Playoff contender. For the third November in a row, the Aggies are back in spoiler mode.

9. Florida (4-3, 3-3)

Up next: at Vanderbilt, Saturday, Nov. 8
The skinny: As bad as the Gators have been this season, they come off their best performance of the season and should be able to put together back-to-back SEC wins against the worst team in the league.

Check out the alternate college football uniforms worn during the 2014 season.

10. Kentucky (5-4, 2-4)

Up next: vs. Georgia, Saturday, Nov. 8
The skinny: After three consecutive SEC losses, it's fair to say Kentucky is beginning to look like Kentucky again. The shine is officially off the Wildcats' 5-1 start.

11. Tennessee (4-5, 1-4)

Up next: vs. Kentucky, Saturday, Nov. 15
The skinny: It's been another brutal year for the Volunteers, but quarterback Josh Dobbs is providing some real reason for excitement. Now about that defense ...

» Scout's Take: Vols' Dobbs has franchise QB potential

12. South Carolina (4-5, 2-5)

Up next: at Florida, Saturday, Nov. 15
The skinny: The Gamecocks get a week off to soak in a very disappointing loss to Tennessee, and prepare for a Florida team that finally found an offensive identity with its running game.

13. Arkansas (4-5, 0-5)

Up next: vs. LSU, Saturday, Nov. 15
The skinny: The Razorbacks have just two more chances to get coach Bret Bielema his first SEC win in two years, and neither of them will be easy. After the Tigers, Arkansas closes the year against Ole Miss.

14. Vanderbilt (3-6, 0-5)

Up next: vs. Florida, Saturday, Nov. 8
The skinny: The Commodores are just looking for an upset win to build on. Florida could be it, but Vanderbilt's offense figures to have a very hard time moving the ball against the Gators.

*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.