The SEC race and the College Football Playoff picture are both tightening up, and this week’s schedule gives it all a little more juice.
Georgia gets the spotlight first, taking on Auburn at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN. The No.
1 Bulldogs are trying to reach the midpoint of the season on schedule, but they’re doing it with some real questions hanging over the roster after the Alabama game in Tuscaloosa. Kirby Smart’s crew came out of that fight banged up, and the issues in the backfield and secondary could force some careful roster management.
Depending on how the CFP bracket plays out, Georgia could still have as many as 10 games left after the bye week.
Auburn, meanwhile, comes in rested and looking for an opening.
Later in the day, Alabama heads to Tennessee for a 3:30 p.m. ABC matchup that feels even more dangerous.
The Crimson Tide are walking into a tough road environment against a No. 14 Volunteers team that still has CFP potential if it can knock off Alabama.
Tennessee’s ground game is no joke, either. Tailback DeSean Bishop ranks seventh in the nation with 678 rushing yards, and the Vols are averaging 228.3 rushing yards per game, good for 15th nationally.
“They’re such a downhill running team,” Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said. “It’s the identity of who they are.”
Tennessee also brings a defense that has been strong against the pass, ranking 12th nationally in pass efficiency defense. That sets up a serious test for Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell.
“The crowd noise will be an obvious factor for us, it’s one of the loudest places in the country,” Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said.
“I know there were some issues for us back in 2024. We don’t want this to get on top of us, there’s 100 plus thousand in there.”
Alabama will also be shuffling a few pieces after Ryan Coleman-Williams took some hits against Georgia and is now sidelined for this week. Center Racin Delgatty is listed as questionable, so Grubb said the Tide will have some “guys settling into new spots.”
Tennessee has questions of its own. Season starter Faizon Brandon is listed as questionable, and George MacIntyre is preparing for what would be his second career start after a choppy 24-17 road win over Arkansas.
Missouri at Ole Miss is another game with major SEC and CFP implications. Both teams are carrying one loss, and both are trying to keep themselves in the mix for the league title game and the playoff field.
Missouri has been tougher than expected, led by SEC rushing leader Jamal Roberts and a top-10 rushing defense. Ole Miss answers with playmaking threat Trinidad Chambliss and back Kewan Lacy, who is making his second appearance since returning from a shoulder injury.
The rest of the SEC slate includes Florida at Texas at noon on ABC, The Citadel at Texas A&M at 1 p.m. on SEC Network+, Arkansas at Vanderbilt at 7 p.m. on ESPN2, and Kentucky at Oklahoma at 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network.
Picks: LSU 34, Mississippi State 21; Texas A&M 56, The Citadel 7; Georgia 38, Auburn 10; Ole Miss 30, Missouri 24; Alabama 34, Tennessee 31; Arkansas 30, Vanderbilt 28; Oklahoma 27, Kentucky 20.
Last week: 3-4 straight up, 2-5 vs. spread. Overall: 38-11 straight-up, 25-24 vs spread.
In Other News...
Georgia Enters Auburn Stretch With One Offensive Question Looming
Georgias stretch run has a familiar heavyweight feel, with Alabama and Auburn lined up in consecutive weeks again, a scheduling setup that stands in contrast to recent seasons when Auburn was spared that kind of back-to-back grind. The Tigers will also be without linebacker Xavier Atkins for the matchup with Georgia, a hit that could matter if Auburn is trying to generate consistent pressure against a Bulldogs offense still sorting through its personnel.
For Georgia, the bigger immediate question is at running back, where Chauncey Bowens remains uncertain for the game and the workload may again fall to others who have already shown they can step in. There is also a recruiting subplot worth watching, with the Bulldogs having recently flipped three-star cornerback Nash Johnson from Auburn, another small reminder that this rivalry keeps spilling beyond the field even as the next meeting comes into view. [Read more 🡒]
Georgias Backfield Suddenly Faces A Big Test Before Auburn
Georgias backfield depth is suddenly under the microscope heading into Auburn, with Chauncey Bowens ruled out and no clear timetable for his return after an injury suffered weeks ago. Bowens had settled in as the No. 2 running back, so his absence takes away another layer of insurance for a rushing attack that has already been forced to adjust.
Nate Fraziers availability is the bigger question hanging over the game, since Georgias top back has been dealing with his own injury and sat out recent contests, including the Alabama game. The encouraging sign for the Bulldogs is that Dwight Phillips and Bo Walker handled themselves well against Alabama, giving Georgia some confidence if the depth chart has to carry a heavier load again this weekend. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Heads Into Auburn With New Injury Concerns In Key Spots
Georgias trip to Auburn comes with the usual SEC tension, but this one also brings a fresh layer of uncertainty on the injury report. All-American defensive back KJ Bolden was listed as questionable, adding concern to a Georgia secondary that may need every available piece against an Auburn offense looking to find an edge at home. Tailback Chauncey Bowens and receiver Isiah Canion were also among the Bulldogs listed as out or questionable, while offensive lineman Marcus Harrison got a useful bump when he was upgraded to probable.
Auburn has its own availability issues, including linebacker Xavier Atkins being ruled out along with other players. For Georgia, the bigger picture is less about who is already sidelined and more about how much depth it may have to lean on in key spots if the uncertainty around Bolden and the rest lingers into game day. In a rivalry game where field position, protection and defensive backfield health all matter, the final injury decisions could shape more than just the lineup card. [Read more 🡒]