Serious Saturday in the SEC

By Mark Schlabach - ESPN.com

Two weeks after Separation Saturday, things get downright serious in the SEC this weekend.

Three games featuring five teams ranked No. 13 or better in the Associated Press Top 25 poll could go a long way in determining which two teams will play in the Dec. 2 SEC championship game in Atlanta's Georgia Dome.

No. 5 Florida hosts No. 9 LSU at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla., in what could be an elimination game for the Tigers. Having already lost to Auburn 7-3 two weeks ago, LSU (4-1, 1-1 SEC) can't afford to lose another conference game. If the Gators (5-0, 3-0 SEC) prevail, Auburn would then have to lose at least three times in SEC play for LSU to win the SEC West.

"It's a big SEC game," Gators quarterback Chris Leak said. "This is why you go to school at places like Florida and LSU. You want to play in big games like this."

The Gators' offense has performed much better in its second season under coach Urban Meyer, leading the SEC in total offense and averaging more than 30 points per game. But Florida hasn't faced a defense as menacing as LSU's, which leads Division I-A in total defense (193.4 yards per game) and is second in scoring defense (7.4 points per game).

"LSU is obviously known for having a great defense," Leak said. "They've got a lot of veterans. They're a very disciplined defense. You can tell just by watching them on film that they're very well coached. They run to the football and cover their areas very well."

The Gators might be without senior tailback DeShawn Wynn, who sprained his knee in last week's 28-13 victory over Alabama. Wynn's absence would put even more pressure on Leak, who has thrown an SEC-high 14 touchdowns with four interceptions. The Tigers have allowed only one touchdown pass in five games.

"They have changed some in their offensive scheme it appears -- a little bit more traditional, a little bit more two-back," LSU coach Les Miles said. "I think [Leak] has a strong arm. He can move his feet. He is very competitive. You have to keep him corralled."

If Florida falters, No. 13 Tennessee (4-1, 0-1 SEC) could climb back into the SEC East race with a win at No. 10 Georgia on Saturday night. The Volunteers lost to Florida 21-20 in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 16, so a loss to the Bulldogs (5-0, 2-0 SEC) would put them two games behind Georgia and possibly three behind the Gators in the league standings.

Tennessee has won its last two games against Marshall and Memphis by a combined score of 74-14.

"Pounding it against a team like Memphis is a lot different than pounding it against Georgia or Florida's front," Vols coach Phillip Fulmer told reporters on Sunday. "When we get to where we can do that a little bit better, then I'll put the stamp of approval on our guys up front. We're a little banged up and still trying like heck to get better. They did a good job this past week, so I'm not going to spoil their party. But we've still got a ways to go."

Georgia, which has struggled the last two weeks in wins over Colorado and Ole Miss, has won five of its last six games against Tennessee. The Volunteers won at Sanford Stadium 19-14 in 2004, when Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge was a freshman.

"There's a lot of things we've got to get better at, probably in a hurry," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said. "If we don't, we won't stay undefeated very long."

No. 2 Auburn hosts unranked Arkansas at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., the beginning of a stretch in which the Tigers (5-0, 3-0 SEC) will play five of their last seven games at home. The Razorbacks (3-1, 2-0 SEC) have lost their last three games against the Tigers, and haven't beaten a top-five ranked team since upsetting No. 5 Texas 38-28 on Sept. 13, 2003.

Auburn has won 20 of its last 21 games against SEC opponents, after escaping with a 24-17 win at South Carolina on Thursday night.

The Razorbacks are 2-0 in SEC play for the first time since 1998. They lead the SEC in rushing offense with 187.8 yards per game, and sophomore Darren McFadden has two 100-yard games this season after dislocating his toe during a fight before the preseason.

"It's a typical Arkansas offense," Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp said. "They're very physical up front. What I see is what I've seen for a long time at Arkansas. They're tough. They've added some things from a formation standpoint in the throwing game. They're doing a few different things."