Coming off a heartbreaking loss to Georgia last week, LSU tries to rebound against Mississippi State in this week's top SEC game.
Here are all the games involving SEC teams in Week 6, ranked from worst game to best.
7. Missouri at Vanderbilt, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, CSS
Rating: 1.5 stars
The skinny: Tigers cornerback E.J. Gaines is the next highly-regarded cover man to take a turn staying with Vandy receiver Jordan Matthews. Nobody's done it with any success all season, so if Gaines handles him, consider it a first-rate lockdown. The other key prospect matchup also will be found on the island, when Tigers receiver Dorial Green-Beckham and his 6-foot-6, 225-pound frame take aim at undersized but talented Vandy corner Andre Hal, who had no trouble covering 6-3, 225-pound Donte Moncrief of Ole Miss in Week 1.
6. Kentucky at South Carolina, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN
Rating: 1.5 stars
The skinny: Kentucky defensive end Za'Darius Smith, second in the SEC in sacks with 4.5, will have a tough challenge against the Gamecocks whether he's working against left tackle Corey Robinson or right tackle Brandon Shell. That matchup will be one to watch, as will UK linebacker Avery Williamson, the SEC's leading tackler, trying to slow down budding star running back Mike Davis of South Carolina.
5. Georgia State at Alabama, Saturday, 12:21 p.m. ET, SECTV
Rating: 2 stars
The skinny: From a prospect perspective, only one side of the ball is worth watching in this one, as Alabama figures to dominate across the board. Star receiver Amari Cooper has had a slow start to the season, so this could be his coming out party. Don't be surprised if the stars are on the sideline for much of the second half in this one, particularly those who might be nursing minor injuries.
4. Ole Miss at Auburn, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU
Rating: 2 stars
The skinny: Auburn left tackle Greg Robinson may be the top NFL prospect on the Tigers' roster, so there couldn't be a much better measuring stick for Rebels junior C.J. Johnson, an undersized defensive end with hopes of making the NFL as a linebacker. The same two positions will set up a nice battle on the other side, as well, where undersized Tigers pass rusher Dee Ford figures to tangle with Rebels star freshman Laremy Tunsil. Could this be the breakout game Ole Miss star WR Donte Moncrief has been waiting for? Auburn's pass defense ranks near the bottom of the SEC at 267 yards per game.
3. Georgia at Tennessee, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
Rating: 2.5 stars
The skinny: It will be interesting to see how Tennessee's brawn on the offensive line translates against some of Georgia's smaller but quicker defenders in the front seven. The Vols might be wise to run straight at the likes of outside linebackers Jordan Jenkins and Leonard Floyd, a budding young star who is just 220 pounds. In pass protection, the Vols could have trouble holding their blocks against them. UT linebacker A.J. Johnson working against the UGA rushing attack, which could be without Todd Gurley, will be a matchup to watch, as well.
2. Arkansas at Florida, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Rating: 2.5 stars
The skinny: Watch the way Arkansas center Travis Swanson handles the interior of Florida's defense, particularly middle linebacker Antonio Morrison. As much as anything, this will determine how much success the Razorbacks' inside running game will find against one of the nation's toughest defenses. On the other side, the battle between Arkansas defensive tackle Robert Thomas and Florida guard John Halapio will be a real convergence of raw power -- both NFL prospects weigh over 300 pounds.
1. LSU at Mississippi State, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Rating: 3 stars
The skinny: Mississippi State senior guard Gabe Jackson has first-round potential for the Bulldogs, and so does LSU defensive tackle Anthony Johnson. LSU's other defensive tackle, Ego Ferguson, could be a nice test for Jackson, as well. No doubt, the excitement here will be in the trenches no matter which team has the ball. Elsewhere, standout MSU defensive back Nickoe Whitley will have his hands full with LSU WRs Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham, Jr., both of whom rank among the SEC's top receivers.
