It’s the week late in the season when so many SEC teams schedule a gimme as an opportunity to get healthy and spend a little extra time preparing for crucial games in the final week of the regular season. It doesn’t make for the most entertaining week of SEC football, but there are still so many reasons to tune in with the final College Football Playoff announcement in sight. We’re starting to figure out just where everyone stands heading into the final weeks of the season, and now we’ve rated all 10 of the games involving SEC teams on watchability.

These rankings are subjective but factor in league and national impact along with how exciting and how close the games will be. Games are ranked on a 1-5 Georgia Dome scale (the site of the SEC Championship Game), with 5 being the most watchable game and 1 being the least.

5 GEORGIA DOMES

No. 15 LSU at No. 22 Ole Miss, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS — If you are looking for a game with potential to actually be quite competitive, this is a safe bet. The Tigers need a bounceback victory after being upset by Arkansas last week, and Ole Miss is trying to stay among the teams ranked in the College Football Playoff poll. The result also may be huge in terms of the SEC West standings if Alabama would happen to fall to rival Auburn in the regular-season finale. But really, this one rates high because in a week when so many SEC teams are playing FCS schools, these teams will actually have top-caliber athletes lining up against each other.


4 GEORGIA DOMES

Mississippi State at Arkansas, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN — This one also promises to be mighty competitive, but the implications simply aren’t as strong throughout the conference and the nation. But it will be interesting to see if Arkansas can continue the roll it is on or if Dak Prescott and the Bulldogs can bounce back after being handled by Alabama. Arkansas has played outstanding defense as of late and could create some problems, but the Razorbacks haven’t seen a quarterback like Prescott in several weeks.


3 GEORGIA DOMES

Georgia Southern at Georgia, 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU — There are some interesting dynamics at play here. The “little brother” in-state non-rivalry between the Eagles and Bulldogs could provide some extra motivation for a Georgia Southern team that has given big-name programs plenty of scares in recent years. The Eagles aren’t as good as they were last year, but the Bulldogs have had plenty of struggles as well. It’s also a big stage for Georgia Southern coach Willie Fritz, whose name could come up for some of the many big-time jobs already open this season.

Texas A&M at Vanderbilt, 7:30 p.m. ET, SECN — The Commodores have a defense, and particularly a secondary, that is much better than their record would indicate. We’ve already seen Vandy shut down the Florida offense, but it would be quite impressive if it can do it again against all the weapons of Texas A&M. The Aggies got a win against Western Carolina last week, but it’s been weeks since they’ve played a solid game against SEC competition. Neither team factors much into the conference race at this point, but both are young and can potentially build toward next season in the final weeks.

Tennessee at Missouri, 7:15 p.m. ET, ESPN2 — The Tigers are coming off a much-needed victory against BYU but face a talented Tennessee team in the first game in Columbia since protests and unrest took over the campus. The Volunteers are looking for continued improvement from their young roster as they try to build toward a serious run at championships in 2016. Mizzou simply wants to qualify for a bowl game in head coach Gary Pinkel’s final season.


2 GEORGIA DOMES

Charleston Southern at No. 2 Alabama, 4 p.m. ET, SECN+ — We all know Alabama should roll and continue its march toward a return trip to the College Football Playoff, but even if this is an expected blowout, the Tide is worth keeping an eye on at this point in the season. Who knows what criteria the selection committee will eventually settle on when choosing four playoff teams. Alabama doesn’t want to be anything less than impressive here.

Florida Atlantic at No. 8 Florida, Noon, SECN — Pretty much everything said about the Alabama game also applies to Florida in this one. The Gators still have an opportunity to play their way into the playoff but can’t really afford to look bad against an overmatched FAU team.


1 GEORGIA DOME

Idaho at Auburn, 4 p.m. ET, SECN — It’s been a long time since the Tigers struggled at home against Jacksonville State, and Auburn has improved since then. Here’s one final tuneup before the Tigers try to give their best shot against Alabama in the Iron Bowl.

Charlotte at Kentucky, 7:30 p.m. ET, SECN — Hey, maybe you didn’t realize Charlotte has a football program now and are interested in checking that out. Otherwise, the main draw is Kentucky fans who know any chance of snapping the five-year streak without a bowl hinges on getting a win in this one.

The Citadel at South Carolina, Noon SECN+ — If you are a diehard fan of either team, then you’ll want to check it out. If not, you can surely find a better game with better teams.