SEC Week Ten Preview

Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC) meets LSU (7-1, 3-1 SEC) in Death Valley in a rematch of the 2012 BCS National Championship Game. The Tigers boast the nation’s third-ranked total defense, but the Tide rank No. 1 in almost every defensive category. Bama is also one of two teams who have yet to throw an interception this season. Turnovers and field position could play key roles in the contest, as both teams have combined for one touchdown in the past eight quarters of play against each other.

Missouri (4-4, 1-4 SEC) travels to the Swamp for the first time in school history to take on Florida (7-1, 6-1 SEC). The Gators look to rebound from a loss to rival Georgia and would remain in the SEC East race with a victory. The Tigers won the only matchup in the series thus far, defeating Florida 20-18 in the 1966 Sugar Bowl against that year’s Heisman Trophy winner and former Gators coach Steve Spurrier.

Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC) would strengthen its hold on the SEC East with a win against Ole Miss (5-3, 2-2 SEC). The Bulldogs’ victory over Florida gave them the tiebreak advantage should both finish with identical records, and they could clinch a trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game if they win both this week and next (Auburn, Nov. 10). The Rebels remain one victory away from bowl eligibility in Hugh Freeze’s first season as head coach.

For the first time in more than a decade, two top-20 ranked teams will meet in Davis Wade Stadium when Texas A&M (6-2, 3-2 SEC) takes on Mississippi State (7-1, 3-1 SEC). The Aggies and Bulldogs last met in the 2000 Independence Bowl, a game that was played during a rare Shreveport snow storm. MSU pulled out a 43-41 overtime victory and will commemorate the win by wearing the same all-white uniforms the team sported in the 2000 matchup.

Vanderbilt (4-4, 2-3 SEC) remains in the hunt for bowl eligibility when the Commodores face off with Kentucky (1-8, 0-6 SEC) in Lexington. Vandy WRs Jordan Matthews and Chris Boyd both rank in the SEC’s top five in receiving, but will be challenged by a Wildcats defense that surrendered a season-low 87 yards through the air last week against Missouri.

In non-conference action, Tennessee (3-5, 0-5 SEC) hosts Troy, Tulsa travels to Arkansas (3-5, 2-3 SEC) and New Mexico State visits Auburn (1-7, 0-6 SEC).