Jeff: Ole Miss coming on as LSU prepares for the Rebels

Each week WWL's Jeff Palermo sizes up the Southeastern Conference football teams. This week Georgia and Ole Miss are surging, while Auburn and Tennessee are tumbling. The top three are holding strong...

1. ALABAMA (1)

Last Week: Beat Mississippi State 31 to 3

This Week: Host Chattanooga

The Crimson Tide has a better chance of losing than Florida, before the SEC Championship game. The Tide will beat the Mocs this Saturday, but going to Auburn and playing the War Eagles on a short week to prepare won’t be easy.


2. FLORIDA (2)

Last Week: Beat South Carolina 24 to 14

This Week: Host FIU

The Gators have allowed only 39 points in the second half this season. Keep that mind, if Florida goes into the second half trailing in any of its remaining games.


3. LSU (3)

Last Week: Louisiana Tech 24 to 16

This Week: at Ole Miss

Expect the Tigers to play better this Saturday, because they usually play to their level of competition. LSU is just two wins away from reaching 100 for this decade.


4. GEORGIA (7)

Last Week: Beat Auburn 31 to 24

This Week: Host Kentucky

It’s been a tough season for Mark Richt and the Bulldogs. But they could finish the regular season with an 8-and-4 record, if they can beat the Wildcats and rival Georgia Tech.


5. OLE MISS (8)

Last Week: Beat Tennessee 42 to 17

This Wek: Host LSU

Dexter McCluster has rushed for 573 yards in his last three SEC games. I hope LSU’s defense is ready.


6. ARKANSAS (6)

Last Week: Beat Troy 56 to 20

This Week: Host Mississippi State

The Razorbacks should go into Tiger Stadium next weekend riding a 4-game winning streak.


7. AUBURN (5)

Last Week: Lost to Georgia 31 to 24

This Week: Bye

The bye week comes at a good time for the War Eagles, who have lost four of their last six. It also gives them some extra time to prepare for their biggest game of the year, the Alabama Crimson Tide.


8. TENNESSEE (4)

Last Week: Lost Ole Miss 42 to 17

This Week: Host Vanderbilt

Last week Tennessee lost by 25 points and had three players arrested for attempted armed robbery. This week is already looking better, because the Vols host lowly Vanderbilt.


9. SOUTH CAROLINA (9)

Last Week: Lost to Florida 24 to 14

This Week: Bye

South Carolina is petitioning the NCAA to reduce the college football season to just six games. In the last four seasons, the Gamecocks are 18-and-6 in the first six games of the year. But in the second-half of those seasons they are 7-and-16.   


10. MISSISSIPPI STATE (10)

Last Week: Lost to Alabama 31 to 3

This Week: at Arkansas

Expect the Bulldogs to be knocked out of bowl contention this Saturday.


11. Kentucky (11)

Last Week: Beat Vanderbilt 24 to 13

This Week: at Georgia

The Wildcats are bowl eligible for a fourth straight season, but they don’t deserve to play in a bowl game. Kentucky’s only quality win was against Auburn, while their other victories are against Miami of Ohio, Louisville, ULM, Eastern Kentucky, and Vanderbilt.


12. VANDERBILT (12)

Last Week: Lost to Kentucky 24 to 13

This Week: at Tennessee

LSU visits Vanderbilt next year on September 11th. Sounds like a fun road trip.