SEC Football Weekend Preview: Week 6 - Response Saturday

No. 7 LSU (4-0) vs. South Carolina (2-3)

Watch: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Line: LSU (-18.5)

It won't be the first time a game's location has been changed due to a natural disaster. It won't be the first time it has involved LSU either. In 2005, LSU moved its home opener against Arizona State to Tempe after Hurricane Katrina. The Gamecocks will now be forced to move their highly anticipated match-up with the Tigers to Baton Rouge. LSU's Death Valley presents a daunting challenge for anyone. The Tigers have won 38 of their last 41 homes games there. The Gamecocks have lost 11 of their last 12 there, the last coming in 2012, and have suffered some kind of awful week in Columbia thanks to the floods. Leonard Fournette leads the nation with 864 yards rushing (8.7 per attempt) and 11 touchdowns. He is just 170 yards away from his rushing total last season. He has run for 200+ yards for three consecutive games, an SEC record, so he'll likely pass his total on Saturday against a Gamecock defense that allows 170 yards per game on average. With all that's going on around them, South Carolina is hoping to avoid its worst start in conference play since they finished the SEC slate winless in 1999. Starting quarterback Lorenzo Nunez has been sidelined with a shoulder injury but is expected to play some Saturday. If somehow, someway, the Gamecocks defense can force LSU to pass, that'll be the way to beat them. The Tigers have the lamest passing attack in the conference, averaging just 95.5 yards per game. QB Brandon Harris was 4-of-14 last weekend against Eastern Michigan. Prediction: LSU 28, South Carolina 10

No. 14 Ole Miss (4-1) vs. New Mexico State (0-4)

Watch: 12:00 p.m. ET, SEC Network
Line: Ole Miss (-43.5)

Ole Miss isn't as beat up with injuries as Michigan State but a lot has changed for the Rebels in the last two weeks. Starting safety Tony Conner is out for at least a few weeks with a torn ligament in his knee and starting linebacker C.J. Johnson had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee, forcing him to miss up to six weeks. Star left tackle Laremy Tunsil has not played a game due to an ongoing NCAA investigation. The Rebs are sorting things out along the offensive line, at linebacker and in the secondary now. That won't matter this weekend however. Before Ole Miss went to Gainesville, they boasted arguably the best offense in college football. They'll get back on that same track as they face a New Mexico State team that is allowing 45.8 points per game, third most in the country. Prediction: Ole Miss 56, New Mexico State 13

Tennessee (2-3) vs. No. 19 Georgia (4-1)

Watch: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
Line: Georgia (-3)

Georgia will need a strong response after their dismantling at the hands of Alabama. On the road in Knoxville, against a reeling Tennessee team, sets up nicely. Before the season, many thought this game may decide the SEC East. The Vols, however, have blown two-touchdown leads in three of their last four games. They rebounded well last year after starting 3-5, winning four of their last five but the losses this year have been such heart-breakers after high expectations. Georgia has won the last five meetings between the two programs but the last two games were by a field goal margin. After the beat down, will Greyson Lambert's confidence be shot? He was pulled from the game against the Tide for Brice Ramsey and he didn't play well either. A solid Georgia response will coincide with Lambert picking himself back up. Prediction: Georgia 21, Tennessee 17

Mississippi State (3-2) vs. Troy (1-3)

Watch: 4:00 p.m. ET, SEC Network
Line: Mississippi State (-30.5)

The Bulldogs sort of made it interesting at College Station but Texas A&M always seemed to be pretty in control of the game. Dak Prescott has had another great year as MSU's signal caller. He hasn't thrown an interception in his last 176 attempts and their ground game only seems to work if he's running the ball. Mississippi State shouldn't have too much trouble on the ground Saturday as Troy's defense allows 4.2 yards per rush. Troy's offense has only scored 42 points combined against three FBS teams so the Bulldogs shouldn't have their hands full on that end either. MSU linebacker Richie Brown is an emerging player, he's had 11 or more tackles in four of his five games. Prediction: Mississippi State 30, Troy 10

No. 8 Alabama (4-1) vs. Arkansas (2-3)

Watch: 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Line: Alabama (-16.5)

Alabama returns home after a huge win against Georgia. Will they come down off that high to easily handle Arkansas? The Razorbacks were leading after three quarters last season before Alabama took a 14-13 lead in the fourth quarter to finish them off. This isn't the same Arkansas team as last year but their offense looked close to that mold last weekend. Alex Collins and Rawleigh Williams combined for 254 yards on the ground in Knoxville.  Alabama has won the last eight games in the series and looks to make it nine Saturday night. Prediction: Alabama 28, Arkansas 13

Missouri (4-1) vs. No. 11 Florida (5-0)

Watch: 7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network
Line: Florida (-5)

After Ole Miss beat Alabama, the Rebels struggled with Vanderbilt at home. After Florida's big win over Mississippi, could we seem the same kind of let down this week at Missouri? The Tigers will once again start true freshman Drew Lock. He started in place of suspended starter Maty Mauk last weekend and finished 21-of-28 for 136 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. The Gator defense is much, much better than South Carolina's unit so Lock will be tested against one of the country's better back-fours on Saturday night. The Missouri offense found a ground game against USC, rushing for a season-high 163 yards. They'll need a similar performance to balance Lock's second start. Will Grier will need to continue his phenomenal play and steady the Gators as they hit the road. Prediction: Missouri 14, Florida 13