The SEC season is in high gear, and will further be defined Saturday afternoon with key divisional matchups across the conference.
No. 7 Georgia -- fresh off a big win over Mississippi State -- will hit the road to take on the struggling Tennessee Volunteers. Dan Mullen's 24th-ranked crew will look to rebound from that loss to Georgia in another road tilt at No. 13 Auburn. Plus, top-ranked Alabama will hope to keep the ball rolling when they host Matt Luke and the Ole Miss Rebels.
What will go down in Week 5? Let's break it down.
Record straight up: 33-9 (8-0 last week)
Record against the spread: 22-10-1 (6-2 last week)
*Games without lines are not counted in the ATS record
Main Course
No. 7 Georgia (-7) at Tennessee
- SportsLine game forecaster
- Tennessee's offense is still a big hot mess
- Georgia's defense is fast, athletic, smart and deep
- Vols have no identity
Wait, hold on...Georgia is just over a touchdown favorite over a Tennessee team that has no quarterback, no identity and a head coach who's so paranoid that he's sparring with local media on how to be proper cheerleaders for the program? Properly warm up before hurling cash on the Bulldogs with that line because I don't want you to throw your arm out. Georgia's defense is loaded with ultra-talented and athletic players like Davin Bellamy, Lorenzo Carter and Trent Thompson -- all of whom will live in the Volunteers backfield all afternoon. On the flip side, we haven't seen the best of what Georgia's offense has in the tank due to running back Sony Michel being a little banged up and quarterback Jake Fromm's inexperience. You won't again on Saturday against the Vols, but that's because Georgia simply won't need to unleash its full arsenal on the depleted and demoralized Vols. Pick: Bulldogs (-7)
Strong Cocktail
No. 24 Mississippi State at No. 13 Auburn (-10)
- SportsLine game forecaster
- Quietly, Auburn's found something offensively
- The Tiger defense is capable of corralling Nick Fitzgerald
- This one will turn sideways
Think back to last week when we nailed Georgia's romp over Mississippi State, and remember the reason why: Georgia's defense is fast, deep, athletic and disciplined. Well, Auburn's is too. The Tigers are loaded in the front seven and have experience in the back end, are giving up an SEC-best 3.63 yards per play and won't be surprised by anything that coach Dan Mullen's offense brings to the table. Quietly, Tigers quarterback Jarrett Stidham has turned into a marvel of efficiency to complement the stout running game. Stidham has connected on 70.6 percent of his passes, is averaging 8.3 yards per attempt and is diversifying the attack enough to make Auburn a dark horse contender for the College Football Playoff. Pick: Tigers (-10)
Appetizers
Ole Miss at No. 1 Alabama (-27.5)
- SportsLine game forecaster
- Alabama looks like a Monster
- Ole Miss doesn't play much defense
- Four touchdowns might be too many, though
On paper and in reality, this game looks like it will turn sideways in favor of the Crimson Tide. Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough, Najee Harris and Jalen Hurts comprise one of the most dangerous and versatile rushing attacks in the country, and the Rebels are giving up 184 yards per game on the ground. But covering? Well, that's a much different story. Expect the Crimson Tide to get reserve defenders into the game early against the Rebel first-teamers. That screams backdoor cover in a game that Alabama will still control throughout. Pick: Rebels (+27.5)
Vanderbilt at No. 21 Florida (-10)
- SportsLine game forecaster
- Florida's a mess
- Vanderbilt has to get over the Bama monstrosity
- Gators out-athlete 'Dores
Luke Del Rio will get the start under center for Florida after Feleipe Franks was somewhat ineffective in the win over Kentucky last week, and will get to face a Vanderbilt defense that's looking to make amends for last weekend's embarrassing performance against Alabama. That, coupled with the felony charges brought on nine Gators stemming from the credit card investigation makes Florida quite the mess. On top of that, the defense is next-to-last in the SEC in yards per play at 5.90. All of that combined will make this a one-score game that tilts in Florida's favor thanks to Del Rio making one clutch play in the fourth quarter. Pick: Commodores (+10)
South Carolina at Texas A&M (-9)
- SportsLine game forecaster
- Kellen Mond gaining confidence
- South Carolina needs more playmakers
- Aggie running game becomes dynamic
Don't look now, but Texas A&M is gaining a little bit of confidence. Kellen Mond threw for 216 yards and two touchdowns, rushed for 109 yards and what should have been another touchdown had the side judge not incorrectly ruled him out of bounds. He also dropped a dime to Christian Kirk for the game-winner in overtime over Arkansas. What's more, Keith Ford and Trayveon Williams added even more to a suddenly multi-dimensional rushing attack. The Aggies will have success offensively, and force the Gamecocks to play point-a-minute football. Without Deebo Samuel, they won't be able to keep up. Pick: Aggies (-9)
Side Dishes
New Mexico State at Arkansas (-17): The Aggies played Arizona State close in the opener and just destroyed UTEP, but won't have enough to keep up with Chase Hayden, Devwah Whaley and David Williams. The Razorbacks gain much-needed confidence after last weekend's heartbreaker. Pick: Razorbacks (-17)
Eastern Michigan at Kentucky (-14.5): As long as the Wildcats remember to cover wide receivers, they should have no issue with an Eagles team that -- despite 2-1 with wins over Charlotte and Rutgers -- is ranked 111th in the nation in scoring offense. Pick: Wildcats (-14.5)
Troy at No. 25 LSU (-20.5): Running back Derrius Guice is nursing a knee injury and is day-to-day, the offense is still a work-in-progress and coach Ed Orgeron said this week that true freshman quarterback Myles Brennan will continue to see meaningful snaps at times. All of this leads to a comfy win, but not a cover. Pick: Trojans (+20.5)