Third Saturday in October: The annual rivalry game between Alabama and Tennessee is this week, and the stakes are high. The game is between two top-10 teams (Alabama at No. 1; Tennessee is No. 9), and both are leading their respective divisions, so there are College Football Playoff implications for each team. After a loss to Texas A&M, Tennessee could use every win it can get (and has to hope the Florida-LSU situation gets worked out after Hurricane Matthew postponed the contest), but the Volunteers haven't beaten a Nick Saban-coached team since 2001. However, Tennessee has outscored teams by 83 points in the second half of games (after being outscored by 40 in the first half) this season.
Top 25 clash in Fayetteville: No. 12 Ole Miss feels like it can run the table, which might still give the Rebels a fighting chance atop the division, though they would need some help. No. 22 Arkansas has lost its first two conference games and is looking to put one in the win column after dropping contests to Texas A&M and Alabama. Both of these teams need a win on Saturday; the Rebels have the benefit of coming off an open date, while Arkansas had to host Alabama last week. There are two good quarterbacks in this one in Chad Kelly and Austin Allen.
Two SEC East clashes: No. 18 Florida hosts Missouri in a compelling game. Luke Del Rio is expected to be back at starting quarterback for the Gators. Drew Lock has been one of the SEC's most improved passers so far this season, and the Tigers have been operating a fast-paced attack, running a play every 17.2 seconds (fastest rate in the FBS). Florida, meanwhile, has one of the better defenses around, as the Gators allow 3.9 yards per play (fourth-lowest in the FBS). Georgia, coming off a Sunday victory over South Carolina, hosts Vanderbilt, a team that is winless in the SEC so far in three tries this season -- but Vandy's losses have come by a combined 17 points.
Will Fournette return? LSU running back Leonard Fournette likely would have missed last week’s game, had it been played, because of an ankle injury. Coach Ed Orgeron called Fournette's status "questionable" for LSU's game on Saturday, when the Tigers host Southern Miss. At the moment, it doesn't seem like Fournette will be back, but Orgeron said the Tigers are taking it day by day. Derrius Guice has filled in admirably when Fournette has been out, most notably with a 17-carry, 163-yard, three-touchdown performance in a Week 5 win over Missouri.
Friday night lights: One of the two non-conference games involving SEC teams this weekend is Mississippi State's trip to BYU. The Bulldogs head to Provo, Utah, for a Friday night battle, but they haven't yet beat what you would call a good Power 5 team this season. (Their two wins are over South Carolina and Massachusetts.) BYU has played several close games this season.