THIS WEEK’S OTHER TOP GAMES
KENTUCKY (5-1, 2-1) at MISSISSIPPI ST. (4-2, 1-2)
When: 4 p.m. EDT Saturday Where: Scott Field, Starkville, Miss. TV: SEC Network
Notes: Mississippi State leads series 23-21, but Kentucky won last year’s meeting 40-38 to end a seven-game skid against the Bulldogs. The visiting Wildcats can become bowl eligible with a victory, but that’s hardly the only accomplishment in mind for coach Mark Stoops’ team. Mississippi State had little trouble with Brigham Young last week, and QB Nick Fitzgerald will look to help keep the Bulldogs undefeated at home this season.
No. 24 LSU (5-2, 2-1) at MISSISSIPPI (3-3, 1-2)
When: 7:15 p.m. EDT Saturday Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Miss. TV: ESPN
Notes: Louisiana State leads series 60-40-4 and the home team has won the last five games. What a difference a fortnight makes for Ed Orgeron and LSU. The Tigers responded to their stunning home loss to Troy by outlasting Florida on the road and then rallying from a 20-point deficit to defeat Auburn. Mississippi smashed Vanderbilt last week to start a three-game homestand behind QB Shea Patterson.
No. 21 AUBURN (5-2, 3-1) at ARKANSAS (2-4, 0-3)
When: 7:30 p.m. EDT Saturday Where: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Ark.
TV: SEC Network
Notes: Auburn leads series
14-11-1 and pummeled Arkansas 56-3 in last year’s meeting. While not completely out of the playoff picture — Auburn could theoretically beat Georgia, Alabama and the SEC East champ to finish
11-2 — it removes the margin of error for Gus Malzahn’s team. Arkansas would be delighted to have such problems after getting stomped by Alabama.