The game we’ve been anticipating for several weeks is finally here.

Mississippi State’s showdown with Alabama on Saturday provides us with a true picture of the Bulldogs this season compared to the nation’s other elites ranked in the College Football Playoff’s top four. Just outside those coveted four spots is Alabama, the other SEC Western Division contender over the final stretch.

Week 11 Results

  • Brad Crawford — 3-3 (against the spread); 5-1 (straight up)
  • Christopher Smith — 5-1 (ATS); 5-1 (straight up)

Season totals

  • Brad (@BCrawfordSDS) — 37-40 (against the spread); 59-18 (straight up)
  • Christopher (@csmithSDS) — 43-34 (ATS); 63-14 (straight up)

RELATED: SEC Power Rankings

As for this week’s games …

Mississippi State at Alabama (-8.5)

Brad: Mississippi State is the SEC’s best team in my opinion, but that doesn’t mean the Bulldogs will beat Alabama on the road this weekend. It’s not going to be easy for Dak Prescott and Josh Robinson against one of the nation’s top rushing defenses, a unit that’s given up just two touchdowns on the ground all season. Forced to throw, Prescott will make mistakes leading to touchdowns for the Crimson Tide. Despite the defeat, I still think the Bulldogs reach the College Football Playoff as an 11-1 at-large selection. Alabama 27, Mississippi State 17

Christopher: The Crimson Tide are a more proven program. Alabama has the more well-rounded team this year as well. Dan Mullen’s teams have scored just 34 points against Alabama in five tries. The Bulldogs lack the two and three-deep depth of the Tide. But Mississippi State has just as much or more elite talent. This Mississippi State team already has proven it can win in a hostile road environment on a huge stage. And Alabama is coming off one of its toughest wins of the Nick Saban era. I’d be surprised if Alabama wins by double digits. Alabama 28, Mississippi State 24

South Carolina at Florida (-7)

Brad: This is the Saturday it all comes together for the Gamecocks in what could possibly be Steve Spurrier’s final trip to The Swamp. Will Muschamp’s raved over South Carolina’s offense all week and he should. A putrid defense has kept Dylan Thompson and Pharoh Cooper out of the spotlight this season despite numbers approaching several school records. Lorenzo Ward’s defense must at least contain Florida’s running game Saturday afternoon or at least make things difficult on Treon Harris. South Carolina 31, Florida 30

Christopher: Vanderbilt held down the Gators running game pretty good last week, though Treon Harris was able to throw for 10.2 yards per attempt. Even with South Carolina’s lack of a pass rush and susceptible secondary, I’m not ready to place my predictive fate in Harris’ hands. For as bad as this season has been, Steve Spurrier remains a quality SEC head coach, and I expect South Carolina will have a good game plan that will force Florida to throw with Harris. The Gamecocks’ offense has been pretty darn good, and Florida is going to have to put up some points. Will Muschamp, pack your bags. You’ll last through the season, but a loss here will seal your fate. South Carolina 31, Florida 27

Kentucky at Tennessee (-8)

Brad: I hate to remind Wildcats fans who bashed me a month ago for picking Kentucky to finish 6-6 despite a 5-1 start, but here we are. This one’s a huge swing game for both teams, one that will ll dictate bowl fates. Tennessee’s hot on offense and the Wildcats are trending down. It may get ugly in Knoxville actually if the Vols defense comes to play. Tennessee 38, Kentucky 20

Christopher: Josh Dobbs makes the difference in this game in my mind. If these teams played earlier in the season, I’d predict a grinding, physical, throwback game with each side struggling to find the end zone. But the threat of Dobbs’ athleticism should free up Jalen Hurd and take pressure off both the beleaguered offensive line and the talented receivers. The Wildcats have been getting dominated at the point of attack despite a few intriguing skill players, and UT’s defense is capable of continuing that trend. Tennessee is headed for bowl eligibility and three SEC wins. Tennessee 24, Kentucky 14

Auburn at Georgia (-2.5)

Brad: Auburn’s struggling up front and Georgia has the best backfield in the SEC with the return of Todd Gurley. It’s strange to say, but this game actually means more for the Bulldogs and could be a feather in the cap-type of victory for Mark Richt. Georgia’s still in contention for a division title while the Tigers stroll into Athens licking their wounds from last week’s shocking setback. In a classic shootout, Gurley and Nick Chubb hang almost 300 yards on the Tigers. Georgia 41, Auburn 34

Christopher: The decaying Auburn defense allowed 38, 35, 31 and 41 points in its last four games. Hutson Mason has taken good care of the football and the Bulldogs are a powerhouse running team. Todd Gurley should be fresh and angry, and if he’s out of shape, Nick Chubb will serve as the battering ram to loosen up the Tigers front seven. Auburn’s been running the ball with good success, and I doubt the team will continue to have such crummy fumble luck. AU has enough talent at receiver to compensate for the (at least temporary) loss of Duke Williams. But Georgia is playing to potentially clinch an SEC East title with some help from Texas A&M. UGA 38, Auburn 31

Missouri at Texas A&M (-4.5)

Brad: Gary Pinkel’s crew knows what it has to do to capture the division title for a second consecutive season. Win out and leave nothing to chance. Most are overvaluing Texas A&M quarterback Kyle Allen after last week’s performance at Auburn. Mizzou’s defense is light years better up front and will frustrate the freshman passer throughout. Let’s go with an SEC East homer pick here despite recent struggles on offense from the Tigers. Mizzou 30, Texas A&M 27

Christopher: I suspect last week’s “breakout performance” orchestrated by Kyle Allen got a boost from what’s become a bad Auburn defense. Missouri’s offense devolved from its non-conference success, then looked perkier against Vanderbilt last time out. A porous Texas A&M defense should make for good medicine for Maty Mauk. Meanwhile, the Tigers quietly boast one of the best defenses in the SEC, as the secondary has tightened, the young linebackers have developed and the interior defensive line has added to the prowess of DEs Shane Ray and Markus Golden. These are both fringe Top 25 teams, but Missouri keeps performing better than we expect. Texas A&M 27, Missouri 24

LSU at Arkansas (-1.5)

Brad: Arkansas favored? Really? When’s the last time this team won an SEC game? In all seriousness, this is a game LSU could certainly lose facing a program that’s hungry to get in the win column. I’m taking the other side though and I’m sure Les Miles has used the underdog role as a bulletin board material during practice this week. If you like football in the trenches, this one’s a real treat. LSU 24, Arkansas 23

Christopher: This LSU team has come a long way from the 41-7 loss to Auburn. But it’s not one of Les Miles’ most talented groups, and the Tigers just slogged through a draining overtime loss at home. Now they must go on the road to face Arkansas, which nearly clipped Texas A&M, Alabama and Mississippi State. The Razorbacks defense has been very good this year. I don’t expect either quarterback to have any success. LSU has given up a lot of rushing yards this season. It’s not the best matchup or the best spot on the schedule for LSU. Bret Bielema finally gets his SEC win. Arkansas 20, LSU 17