Which SEC Teams Will “Do” and Which Will “Die” in Week Six?

Let's take a look at the SEC Conference matchups heading into Week Six, in what is shaping up to be a “do or die” situation for some of the upper echelon teams like Auburn and Florida.

Who should prevail, which ones should be on upset alert, and who will destroy their opponent? At this point, who are the overrated teams in their respective divisions?

Let’s begin with arguably the biggest matchup of the weekend and work our way down from there.

1. Auburn (2-1 SEC, 4-1 overall) @ Vanderbilt (2-0 SEC, 4-0 overall, in the driver's seat in the East)

Who would have thought this? More importantly for the usual powers in the SEC, who will stop the Vandy express?

With the Auburn Tigers visiting Nashville Saturday, one would believe this to be just another win for No. 14 Auburn.  Not even close to the truth.  Auburn is having issues developing their spread offense are coming off a sluggish win over Tennessee. Meanwhile, No. 19 Vanderbilt is clicking on all cylinders and playing confident.

This game turns out to be huge for both Universities. Vandy is setting out to prove that their 4-0 start is no fluke. Are they for real? The Tigers and America will find out.

The game is nationally televised on ESPN.  The kickoff is slated for 5:00 pm CT.  No alert for Vandy required—the Commodores always plays Auburn tough, so they’ll be ready.

Auburn is still contending for the Western Division title, and it may be impossible to overcome another setback with more monumental games remaining.  No surprise here—this one is too close if you're Auburn.

Auburn 17, Vandy 13 

2. Florida (1-1 SEC, 3-1 overall) @ Arkansas (0-1 SEC, 2-2 overall)

Everyone’s darling at SEC media days and nationally favored, the now 13th-ranked Florida Gators got smacked in the mouth by Houston Nutt-coached and unranked Ole Miss.

Does that mean the Gators are not for real? Certainly not: Like most everyone agrees, this is the SEC, the toughest conference in all of college sports—you better bring it every week.  No disrespect to Ole Miss, but Florida may have been overlooking the Rebels a little.

Arkansas is going through a rebuilding year with new coach Bobby Petrino.  Things this season have not gone the way the Hog nation would have liked, but an upset win over Florida at home could change the attitude of the players and give the Arkansas fans some relief.

Pop some Rolaids this time, however: Florida wins in a big rump roasting of the piggies.

Florida 48, Arkansas 10

3. Alabama (2-0 SEC, 5-0 overall) vs. Kentucky (0-0 SEC, 4-0 overall)

The Kentucky Wildcats are quietly creeping around the football world ready to strike and devour their prey.  The problem is I have never witnessed a Wildcat taking down an Elephant for a meal.

The Bama nation is riding high after the first half destruction of previously No. 3 ranked Georgia. Costly mistakes and a confident Tide squad sent the Dawgs to the locker room at halftime like whimpering pups.  To their credit the Dawgs came out showing some teeth and biting back, only to slip down on their own drool, 41-30.

The Sabanator is showing signs of developing a very good football team at the Capstone, and the problem is Kentucky has to travel there.  To win against the title wave of excitement will be too tall of a task for even some of the best teams right now.

That’s not to say No. 4 Alabama won’t feel the sting of a loss or two this year, but definitely not this week.  The Tide will roll in this one big.  Kentucky scores late to make it seem closer.

Alabama 38, Kentucky 20

4. Ole Miss (1-1 SEC, 3-2 overall) @ South Carolina (0-2 SEC, 3-2 overall)

The Gamecocks play homecoming host to the Ole Miss Rebels. It could be a sad homecoming experience for the Carolina faithful if Steve Spurrier does not have the Fun 'n Gun cocked and ready to fire.  What has been a disappointing SEC start for the Gamecocks could culminate in a greater disappointing season.

Ole Miss has seemingly turned the corner after beating a much more talented Florida team.  I've said before that Houston Nutt is one of the best coaches in the country.  He has shown that he is one of the best at getting the most out of his players.  Just think what he will be able to do with a couple of solid recruiting classes.

It’s not hard to imagine Ole Miss representing the Western Division in Atlanta—just not this year.

Be warned: The Rebels have proved they are not to be underestimated.  Wake up the Rooster—the Rebels are coming!

Ole Miss 28, S. Carolina 17 

The Extras

Most overrated SEC teams: Auburn and Georgia

Most overachieving teams: Alabama and Vanderbilt

Who will be the biggest flop: Tennessee

Upset Alert: Auburn!  The Tigers have shown they lack the killer instinct it takes to put away all most every team they have played this year.  It goes without saying that Vandy always plays Auburn tough. 

SEC Coaches on Hot Seat: Phillip Fulmer (Tenn) Steve Spurrier (S. Car) and Tommy Tuberville (Aub) may be warming up a bit.

Other SEC Teams

Tennessee (0-2 SEC, 1-3 overall) vs. Northern Illinois (PPV) 7PM ET

LSU (2-0 SEC, 4-0 overall): Bye week—Next at Florida

Georgia (1-1 SEC, 4-1 overall): Bye week—Next vs. Tennessee

Tidbits

In regards to a previous report concerning the possible arrest made by APD and Alabama State troopers in connection to the ticket forgeries at Auburn and other SEC games—at this point I have not been able to substantiate enough information to warrant a viable story at this time. 

ESPN is taking its GameDay show to the Vanderbilt University campus for an SEC battle between the No. 14 Auburn Tigers and No. 19 Vanderbilt Commodores.   This is easily the biggest football game on the Vandy campus in decades.

The last Vanderbilt team to start 5-0 was in 1943: The Commodores played five games that year before ending the season due to World War II.

Vanderbilt, which took a leap into the Associated Press' Top 25 for the first time since 1984 with its 4-0 start, jumped two spots to No. 19 after an open date last week in preparations for this monumental game.

Auburn has won the last 13 straight meetings dating back to 1955.  Vanderbilt won that Gator Bowl matchup 25-13 on Dec 31, 1955. The two teams historically did not play each other much until the SEC realignment in 1992.

Auburn is 20-19-1 all time versus the Commodores.  The Tigers have won the last six meetings in Nashville since Vanderbilt's last win in 1950 ... Vanderbilt won eight consecutive games in the series from 1929 to 1950 ... Auburn has averaged 36.4 points during its 13-game winning streak against Vanderbilt ... The Tigers have held Vanderbilt to 10 points or less in nine of the 13 victories.