Who’s ready for the SEC’s best weekend up to this point? We’ll have a clearer understanding of the top dogs in both divisions after Saturday’s showdowns in Athens, Gainesville and College Station.

RELATED: Week 5 AP Top 25

Florida has a chance to secure a spot inside the Top 15 with a win over third-ranked Ole Miss while league titans Alabama and Georgia clash between the hedges for a matchup we’ve been waiting for throughout the offseason.

Week 4 pick results:

  • Brad (@BCrawfordSDS) — 2-6-1 (against the spread); 7-2 (straight up)
  • Christopher (@csmithSDS) — 3-5-1 (ATS); 6-3 (straight up)

Season totals:

  • Brad (@BCrawfordSDS) — 14-28-1 (against the spread); 34-9 (straight up)
  • Christopher (@csmithSDS) — 25-17-1 (ATS); 34-9 (straight up)

Saturday’s games

South Carolina at Mizzou (-2.5)

Brad: What a difference a week makes for these two teams. The Gamecocks believe they’ve found an answer for a struggling offense after Steve Spurrier inserted freshman Lorenzo Nunez into the starting lineup — with stellar results — against UCF. Mizzou’s own quarterback controversy is solved for at least a week after the Tigers announced Maty Mauk’s suspension on Tuesday night for undisclosed reasons. With Russell Hansbrough questionable due to injury and Mauk out, Mizzou’s success on offense hinges on the play of Drew Lock, its heralded freshman passer. He’s become an exciting addition for the Tigers and could have a change to seize the job outright with a stellar performance. Despite the sleepy 11 a.m. local time kickoff, this will be one of Saturday’s best SEC games. When it’s freshman vs. freshman, I’ll go with the home team late.

Mizzou 21, South Carolina 20

Christopher: This line has dipped between 1 and 2.5 points since Missouri announced the suspension for Maty Mauk. His backup, true freshman Drew Lock, essentially admitted this week that he’s been pressing when he’s gotten a chance to play, knowing that he likely will get a handful of throws before returning to the bench. But there’s a danger in expecting him to improve, as well. South Carolina knows he’ll start, and will devote more resources to studying him, finding potential weaknesses and trying to make him uncomfortable. As Brad mentioned, Hansbrough remains hobbled by an ankle injury. If and when he returns to 2014 form, it’ll be a huge boost for Mizzou. I expect South Carolina to have a difficult time moving the ball as well, as the Tigers defense has been the SEC’s stingiest thus far. The last two editions of this game have been thrilling, and this one could be similar.

Mizzou 20, South Carolina 17

Alabama at Georgia (-2)

Brad: This one had all the makings of the SEC’s ‘Game of the Year’ between Top 10 unbeatens before Alabama’s surprising loss to Ole Miss spoiled the fun, but believe me, there’s still plenty of juice in a nationally-relevant showdown. How will Alabama respond as an underdog for the first time since 2009 facing what would be a fatal 0-2 start in the SEC? How will Mark Richt and the Bulldogs handle expectations in need of a signature win to put a stamp on this season’s dominant start? Who wins the head-to-head rushing battle between Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb? If you want storylines, this one’s overflowing in what promises to be an evenly-matched, down-to-the-wire affair. Being that Georgia’s playing at home and Greyson Lambert is the SEC’s most accurate passer through four games, I’m sticking with my preseason prediction and going with the Bulldogs.

Georgia 24, Alabama 20

Christopher: For me, this matchup comes down to Greyson Lambert vs. a revamped Alabama secondary. The Crimson Tide won’t shut down Nick Chubb and the Georgia running game, but neither will the Bulldogs exploit that front seven. Bama’s offense should do just OK, as UGA’s pass rushers could make things uncomfortable for Jake Coker. If Lambert continues to take care of the ball and complete passes at a high rate, I like Georgia. If Alabama can force him into critical mistakes like he made at Virginia, I like the Tide. These teams have been on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to turnover margin in the last two seasons, with Georgia dominating and Alabama playing uncharacteristically bad, so that could be a big factor as well. I just think UGA has the more complete team right now, although this matchup is as close to a tossup on paper as we’re going to see.

Georgia 27, Alabama 24

San Jose State at Auburn (-20.5)

Brad: There’s not much to say about the Tigers other than Auburn is this season’s biggest disappointment in the SEC. Injuries have played a part on defense, but this team’s biggest issue is an inconsistent offense that’s struggling to move the football. Last week’s collapse in the red zone led to a frustrating loss to Mississippi State, one that all but ended any shot at winning the division title this season. It may get worse before it gets better for the Tigers, but at least this week they’ll cover the spread. Barely.

Auburn 31, San Jose State 10

Christopher: Auburn is by far the worst team in the SEC relative to the spread at -70.5 points so far this season. At some point, we’ll see what amounts to a market correction as Vegas, as well as bettors, adjust to the new perception of the Tigers. Will this be the week? The public seems to think so, with 62 percent of public bets siding with Auburn so far this week. One has to believe that coach Gus Malzahn’s offensive track record is no fluke and that he’ll be able to find some way to generate some offense. And the team ought to be able to control the line of scrimmage against San Jose State in a way that has escaped them thus far this season. The Spartans will be lucky to top 14 points, so if Auburn can wear down San Jose State on the ground, it should cover this number.

Auburn 35, San Jose State 13

Ole Miss (-7) at Florida

Brad: Looking at the 2015 SEC schedule earlier this spring, I circled this game as a potential measuring stick for Jim McElwain in his first season and actually picked the Gators to win, due in large part to this only being Chad Kelly’s second road start in the SEC. But considering what he did in his first outing away from Oxford against Alabama, maybe that wasn’t a good idea. I had the Gators 3-1 through September with their only loss coming to Tennessee, so we all knew the talent was there but depth was a likely issue. One of our most loyal readers messaged me this week, pleading that I continue picking against the Gators (since Florida always wins when I do). I’ll go against my gut and oblige, but I think Florida covers. The Swamp at night is a boisterous environment, though I’m not sold on Will Grier in the face of pressure against the best defensive line he’ll face all season.

Ole Miss 30, Florida 24

Christopher: Ole Miss may face its most difficult challenge yet against an aggressive, disruptive Florida defense. The Gators, though, have given up more yards through the air than one would imagine considering the team’s stable of talented defensive backs. And I don’t trust Will Grier and the Florida offense to put up big numbers against the Landshark defense. Ole Miss should use a lot of short timing routes to simulate a running game and let a strong group of receivers run after the catch.

Ole Miss 31, Florida 21

Arkansas at Tennessee (-6.5)

Brad: There was a time I was looking forward to this game and actually projected that there was a chance both teams could be unbeaten coming in … the joke’s on me. Arkansas is reeling with three straight losses while Tennessee’s offseason momentum has been sucked dry thanks to several head-scratching decisions by Butch Jones playing with double-digit leads in the second half. This one’s a must-win for the Vols at home. I don’t think fans could stomach another heart-breaker in Knoxville and on the other sideline, the Razorbacks are becoming used to fourth-quarter (and overtime) defeats under Bret Bielema. I think Arkansas covers in a hard-fought game.

Tennessee 34, Arkansas 28

Christopher: I have mixed feelings on this game. On the one hand, Tennessee is two or three plays from 4-0 and a potential top 15 ranking. On the other hand, the Vols have to feel shellshocked right now emotionally after that gut-wrenching loss to Florida. Getting nearly a touchdown is a lot of points for UT right now. Arkansas has been running the ball better each week, and Tennessee hasn’t been able to put teams away in the second half. I think this is another close game for each of these programs.

Tennessee 27, Arkansas 24

Eastern Michigan at LSU (-44.5)

Brad: I made a friendly wager with a Twitter follower that I would pay for dinner if Leonard Fournette hits the 300-yard barrier against college football’s worst rushing defense. He’ll certainly surpass triple digits, but won’t play long enough to eclipse the gargantuan total. I’m interested in seeing Brandon Harris and the LSU passing game begin to click after making what I considered progress last week against Syracuse. Expect a few big plays down field against a squad that doesn’t match well at all athletically.

LSU 48, Eastern Michigan 7

Christopher: Les Miles hasn’t seemed all that concerned about Leonard Fournette’s workload. Normally, I’d imagine this is an excellent spot to work toward a quick lead, then turn quarterback Brandon Harris loose a bit and prepare him for the inevitable time that he’ll be asked to win LSU a game this year. Maybe even get true freshman running back Derrius Guice a more extended look and bring him along like the Tigers did with Fournette last season. But, alas, we’re talking about Les Miles. I won’t be shocked to see Fournette still in the game deep into the third quarter with a four-touchdown advantage. Oh, by the way — Eastern Michigan is allowing 373.3 rushing yards per game, by far the worst in all of FBS.

LSU 52, Eastern Michigan 7

Vanderbilt (pick ’em) at Middle Tennessee State

Brad: Derek Mason has two wins against FBS programs at Vanderbilt. He’s getting No. 3 in Murfreesboro. The defense has played well this season and Johnny McCrary seems to be improving as a quarterback. If Vanderbilt finds the right run-pass balance, I think they’ll be able to move the football and ultimately keep the football away from the Blue Raiders.

Vanderbilt 28, Middle Tennessee State 21

Christopher: MTSU opened as a short favorite, but decent performances by Vanderbilt against Georgia, Austin Peay and Ole Miss have bettors re-thinking the Commodores. Coach Derek Mason has a few inklings of momentum entering this one, but a loss would be disastrous. Vandy never should lose to the Conference USA program across town, and would drop to 0-2 against C-USA programs in 2015. There’s plenty of season left, but this one feels even more important than the last three. Vandy’s defense has been playing very well, and should be able to keep MTSU in the teens. As long as Johnny McCrary and the offense can muster some production, this should be the first road win of Mason’s tenure.

Vanderbilt 24, Middle Tennessee State 17

Mississippi State at Texas A&M (-6.5)

Brad: This should be a great ballgame at Kyle Field featuring several explosive plays on offense. I think one of the more underrated storylines coming in is the job Manny Diaz has done thus far as Mississippi State’s defensive coordinator. The Bulldogs have given up their share of big plays in the passing game, but tackling has improved and they shut down Auburn in the red zone last week. Dak Prescott’s already in midseason form and with him, Mississippi State will always be a threat if the game’s close in the fourth quarter. Christian Kirk’s had an All-American caliber start to his freshman campaign and is a challenge to cover — and tackle — across the middle. Prescott and Kyle Allen duke it out through the air and the Aggies make a couple more plays in the end.

Texas A&M 35, Mississippi State 31

Christopher: Mississippi State is better than I anticipated, particularly on defense. The issue: opposing quarterbacks have managed 6.7 yards per attempt against the Bulldogs so far. We’re talking about Nick Mullens, Brandon Harris, Stephen Rivers and Sean White. Pass defense has been troublesome for Mississippi State even dating back to last season. Dak Prescott will make plays. Texas A&M’s run defense remains susceptible, though not as much as last season — and Mississippi State’s running game isn’t as powerful as it was in 2014. I believe that Kyle Allen, Christian Kirk and company will make too many big plays against the MSU secondary and that it will be difficult for Mississippi State to keep pace.

Texas A&M 35, Mississippi State 27

Eastern Kentucky at Kentucky (-30.5)

Brad: I like Patrick Towles, a player who seems capable of putting this team on his back during the second half of the season. His ability to bounce back from a so-so performance against Florida during last weekend’s win over Mizzou showed me a leader whose confidence can be channeled throughout an entire football team. I’d like to see Dorian Baker and Garrett Johnson get even more targets in the passing game as two of the SEC’s most underrated receivers. I’d expect both to play well against EKU.

Kentucky 38, Eastern Kentucky 14

Christopher: This is a potential letdown spot for Kentucky after two emotional SEC East contests. With a bye week on deck, the players may be looking forward to a bit of a breather before the home stretch of the schedule. The Colonels are a ranked FCS team that won its two OVC games by an average of 40 points. On the other hand, North Carolina State shut out Eastern Kentucky earlier this season. I still think that EKU will find a way to score against UK. It’s up to Patrick Towles to play an efficient game if the Wildcats are going to cover this spread.

Kentucky 35, Eastern Kentucky 7