No. 3 LSU (9-1, 5-1) Ross’s Rank: 1
The Bayou Bengal’s are 12 points (19-7 loss to Florida) shy of a perfect season, but if they win out, LSU still could still make the trip to New Orleans.
They face a very solid Rebel squad this weekend that could ruin that chance. If LSU can put pressure on Eli Manning and force him to make mistakes, the Tigers will walk out of Vaught-Hemingway winners of five straight games. KEY STAT: LSU is No. 1 in the nation in scoring defense only allowing 8.9 points a game.
No. 6 Georgia (8-2, 5-2) Ross’s Rank: 2
The Bulldogs have Kentucky this week and Georgia Tech next week. If they win both they will make the trip to Atlanta to defend their SEC championship.
UGA drilled Auburn 26-7 last week, in a game where the Georgia defense proved its No. 2 national rank. They should have no problem with Kentucky or Tech.
KEY STAT: The Dawgs only allow 167 passing yards per game. This is first in the SEC.
No. 13 Florida (8-3,6-2) Ross’s Rank: 3
The third spot in the SEC is a toss up between Mississippi and UF. The Rebels went into the Swamp and beat the Gators, but Florida looked convincing in a 16-13 win over Georgia. The Gators are young, but talented. Look out for Florida to be a national championship team next year, if they can keep Charlie Strong as defensive coordinator.
KEY STAT: Florida has the best defensive back in the nation in Keiwan Ratliff. His nine interceptions rank him second in the nation.
No. 15 Mississippi (8-2, 6-0) Ross’s Rank: 4
The Rebels will host LSU tomorrow afternoon at 2:30. This battle will be the biggest game ever to be played in Oxford.
A victory over LSU will give Mississippi its first SEC West crown and a trip to Atlanta. If the Rebels don’t stop LSU receiver Michael Clayton and quarterback Matt Mauck, the Tigers will post big numbers.
KEY STAT: The Rebel secondary ranks 116th, allowing 300 passing yards a game.
#9 Tennessee (8-2, 4-2) Ross’s Rank: 5
Discounting UT’s 59-21 thumping of MSU, the Volunteers have had trouble with mediocre opponents. Rocky Top had to go into overtime with Alabama and South Carolina.
Tennessee got pulverized by Georgia, but the defense controlled an overrated Miami team. The Volunteers have been inconsistent, but only remaining opponents are Vanderbilt and Kentucky.
KEY STAT: Tennessee’s net punting average is 40 yards, putting them eighth in the nation.
Arkansas (7-3, 3-3) Ross’s Rank: 6
With everyone healthy, the Hogs are national championship contenders, seen in their early victory at Texas.
Arkansas has two great backs, a running and throwing quarterback, and a defense that ranks fourth in the SEC. They will travel down to Baton Rouge for the Battle for the Golden Boot in the last game of the season. They should destroy MSU.
KEY STAT: Arkansas leads the SEC and is seventh in the nation in rushing offense. They average 232 yards a game.
Auburn (6-5, 4-3) Ross’s Rank: 7
Tubby’s seat is getting warmer with the Tigers’ loss at Georgia. If Auburn loses to Bama in Saturday’s Iron Bowl, expect to see a coaching change. Auburn has a good defense and a solid running game, but the Tigers rank 85th in the nation with 188 passing yards a game. The Tigers started out the season No. 6 in the nation and are now 6-5.
KEY STAT: Auburn’s 15 points allowed a game ranks them 12th nationally.
Alabama (4-7, 2-5) Ross’s Rank: 8

Alabama is the Tennessee of last year. The Crimson Tide has suffered multiple injuries and lacks depth. Bama lost in overtime to Tennessee and Arkansas and at the beginning of the year–when healthy–gave Oklahoma its lone scare. Though the season can be somewhat saved with a win at Auburn this weekend, ruining the Tigers chances at a large bowl.
KEY STAT: Bama produces only 350 yards of offense a game ranking them 80th in the nation.
S. Carolina (2-6, 5-6) Ross’s Rank: 9
The Gamecocks are a young football team, but have plenty of talent.
In the next two years they should be right up there with Georgia and Florida.
This weekend they host archrival Clemson. A win means USC becomes bowl eligible and will probably find themselves in the Houston Bowl.
KEY STAT: USC allows 24 yards per kick return.
Kentucky (4-6, 1-5) Ross’s Rank: 10
Yeah, you heard it all right– the Cats lost to Vanderbilt last weekend 28-17.
Kentucky is one of the many inconsistent teams in the SEC. UK’s defense is mediocre. With no running game and an inconsistent passing attack, Kentucky is lucky I’m putting them in front of Vandy. UK fans eagerly await basketball season.
KEY STAT: The Cats allow a league-worst 190 rushing yards per contest.
Vandy (2-9, 1-9) Ross’s Rank: 11
I know State beat Vanderbilt, but if the game had been played on a neutral site Vandy would have won the game. The Commodores are coming off their first SEC victory in over 20 attempts. Expect the Dores running game to cause a problem for Tennessee this weekend.
KEY STAT: Vandy only scores 20 points a game, which ranks them 90th in the nation.
MSU (2-8, 1-5) Ross’s Rank: 12
The Bulldogs can be described in three words that all begin with “p”: poor, pathetic and pitiful. MSU might just be on their way to their worst season since 1988 when they finished 1-10.
KEY STAT: State is dead last in many statistical categories in the SEC, but two stand out. The Dawgs are last in total defense (474 yards) and in total offense (342 yards).