(All times are p.m. and Eastern)
1. ALABAMA (Last week: No. 1)
Wow, game after game, the Tide take every foe's best shot. And game after game, Alabama is left standing and looking even stronger. In fact, answer this riddle, before Saturday's thumping of previously unbeaten Florida, when was the last time someone called off the dogs against the mighty Gators?
SATURDAY: at S. Carolina, 3:30, CBS
2. AUBURN (Last week: No. 3)
OK, it was La.-Monroe, but 52-3 was impressive on several fronts. First, the hallmark of any good team is quickly handling weaker foes. Second, that blowout was with Cam Newton's legs tied behind his back - the SEC's leading rusher as of Saturday morning rushed zero times for zero yards. Third, the Tigers' biggest question mark remains depth, and there were a whole lot of fresh(man) faces on the field in the second half.
SATURDAY: at Kentucky, 7:30, ESPN2
3. ARKANSAS (Last week: No. 5)
Ryan Mallett and Co. got a week off to rest and heal after losing 24-20 to Alabama on Sept. 25. They also were forced to ponder what could have been if the Hogs had managed to protect a 20-7 second-half lead against the top-ranked Tide. "I think it makes you work harder, when you see the pain you went through after you had them by the throat and you just didn't finish it," Mallett told the AP.
SATURDAY: vs. Texas A&M, 3:30, ABC
4. florida (Last week: No. 2)
In 2005 - coach Urban Meyer's first season with the Gators - Florida was manhandled by Alabama 31-3. In fact, Alabama has given Meyer his worst three losses at Florida: in 2005, last Saturday and the 19-point loss in last year's SEC title game.
SATURDAY: vs. LSU, 7:30, ESPN
5. LSU (Last week: No. 4)
Has there ever been a 5-0 team in the nation's toughest conference with a coaching staff on a bigger hot seat? Seriously, reports from the LSU beat have dubbed Saturday's improbable win over UT, "Dumb and Dumber," for the last-second antics by each coaching staff during the final minutes of the Tigers' 16-14 win over Tennessee. Now comes a trip to Florida, against a more than mildy irate group of Gators. Unless the LSU defense scores at least twice, this could get ugly in a big hurry.
SATURDAY: at Florida, 7:30, ESPN
6. S. CAROLINA (Last week: No. 6)
Steve Spurrier's bunch is next in line to take their swing at the top-ranked Tide. A win over Alabama, which has won 19 consecutive games, would be Spurrier's 107th SEC win, moving him out of a second-place tie with Ole Miss legend Johnny Vaught. Bear Bryant is the all-time leader with 159 SEC wins.
SATURDAY: vs. Alabama, 3:30, CBS
7. Miss. State (Last week: No. 7)
At the start of the season, there would have been little doubt about which team in Saturday's meeting between Houston and MSU had the better quarterback. Houston's Case Keenum was a preseason Heisman candidate, but he is done for the year. And with Chris Relf's emergence - he has completed 44 of 72 passes for 618 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 199 yards in a 3-2 start - there still is no doubt who has the better QB.
SATURDAY: at Houston, 8, CBS-CS
8. kentucky (Last week: No. 8)
Joker Phillips on Auburn: "Well, they were playing really good at this time last year, also, when we went down there and beat them." Well, OK then.
SATURDAY: vs. Auburn, 7:30, ESPN2
9. TENNESSEE (Last week: No. 10)
Derek Dooley had every reason to view the Vols' 32-29 double-overtime escape Sept. 25 against UAB as a win. It was painful and ugly and scary, but in the end it was a win. The effort Saturday afternoon at LSU was impressive and filled with pride. But it was painful and ugly in the end, because it was a loss. It begs the question, would you rather play poorly and win or play well and lose? Give me the former, every day of the week and twice on gamedays.
SATURDAY: at Georgia, 12:21, WDSI
10. OLE MISS (Last week: No. 12)
Perfect time for a bye, as the Rebels are starting to catch their stride offensively to pull them out of R&R exile after losses to Jacksonville State and Vandy. Heading into the bye week, the big news is which mascot will replace Colonel Reb. Here's voting for Hotty Toddy, whatever that is. Stay tuned.
SATURDAY: Off
11. georgia (Last week: No. 9)
Well, it obviously wasn't A.J. Green, huh? Green, the all-world wideout, had two highlight-reel catches - including his first touchdown grab of the season, a one-handed beauty along the sideline - in his seven-catch, 119-yard, two-touchdown debut. Maybe he could play running back? There's no way he'd fumble as often as the current cast of Bulldogs in the backfield.
SATURDAY: vs. Tennessee, 12:21, WDSI
12. VANDERBILT (Last week: No. 11)
A missed tackle here and a dropped pick there and Vandy let UConn, which other than running back Jordan Todman did not look good, off the hook. This Saturday is the biggest dunk on Vandy's schedule, though, and a 30-point win could be on the docket.
Saturday: vs. E. Michigan, 7, ESPNU