There are three games involving ranked teams, but all eyes will be on Tuscaloosa as the winner will have complete control long before Halloween.

The ESPN Football Power Index gives a slight edge to Kentucky to end a long losing streak to Mississippi State while the Hugh Freeze-Ed Orgeron reunion leans toward the Tigers.

On to Week 8:

Massachusetts at South Carolina (93.8 percent): This is the third SEC opponent for UMass, but no matter the conference, the Minutemen have only beaten FIU and are on a four-game losing streak. Gamecocks quarterback Jake Bentley, thought to be a redshirt at the start of the season, has received more meaningful snaps in practice and could be the third QB to start for the team this season. Even if he doesn’t start, he’s expected to play. Bentley is getting a look because South Carolina is the lowest-scoring team in the country, averaging just 14 points per game.

Texas A&M at Alabama (76.7 percent): The league’s best rushing offense and rushing defenses meet in an undefeated showdown that will likely all but punch a ticket to Atlanta. The Aggies have improved their rushing yardage by 104 yards over last season.

The chore for Alabama will be bottling up Oklahoma transfer Trevor Knight, who beat the Tide in 2014, and Trayveon Williams, who leads the league with 117.3 yards rushing per game. On the flip side, Jalen Hurts, meanwhile, has five rushing touchdowns in the past two games against Tennessee and Arkansas. The last meeting in Tuscaloosa was a 59-0 Alabama win.

Middle Tennessee at Missouri (78.1 percent): The Blue Raiders gave Vanderbilt a brief scare last month, but overall have lost seven in a row against power conference teams dating to 2012. But they rank sixth nationally with 38.5 points per game.

Quarterback Brent Stockstill is sixth in America among passing leaders with 348.5 yards per game, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions. Speaking of offense, Missouri is looking to improve following lackluster efforts against LSU and Florida. Drew Lock has slipped to second in the SEC in passing after he led for much of the season. He was just 4-for-18 for 39 yards against the Gators.

Arkansas at Auburn (84.7 percent): This game should decide who’s the third-best team in the West. The biggest question is if Auburn has finally turned the corner this season after three consecutive wins following a 1-2 start.

Arkansas’ Rawleigh Williams III (below) is the reigning SEC Offensive Player of the Week, and he leads the SEC with 785 rushing yards. If Austin Allen plays like he did against TCU and Ole Miss, though he was sacked three times, the Razorbacks have a shot at the upset.

Oct 15, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Rawleigh Williams III (22) rushes in the third quarter as Ole Miss Rebels linebacker Terry Caldwell (21) makes a tackle at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Ole Miss 34-30. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

While some might remember Auburn’s dropped passes in this game last year, the Tigers have three players with at least 13 catches, led by Tony Stevens’ 24. Sean White has eclipsed a 73 percent completion rate in each of the past three games with three touchdowns and an interception.

Mississippi State at Kentucky (59 percent): The Bulldogs have won seven straight in the series and Kentucky has yet to beat Dan Mullen. But Mississippi State is also without three starters. Kentucky has won four of five as it inches toward that elusive bowl berth.

The game will feature two mobile quarterbacks, but Stephen Johnson struggled for Kentucky against Vanderbilt going just 10-for-24 for 49 yards and an interception. Nick Fitzgerald for the Bulldogs will likely top 1,000 passing yards for the season and possibly 500 rushing yards in this game.

Oct 8, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Stephen Johnson (15) passes the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the first half at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee State at Vanderbilt (96.4 percent): Derek Mason might have just dried off from the ice bucket he received at Georgia for winning his first SEC road game. It will be a rare game where Vanderbilt is not an underdog or slight favorite. The Tigers enter at 5-1 on homecoming against the cross-town foe and have the fourth-best turnover margin in FCS, while Vanderbilt is tied for fourth in the SEC at plus-four. Ralph Webb and Khari Blasingame should churn out the yards in this one, especially because the Tigers have 12 interceptions in six games, including two for TDs by Michigan State transfer Ezra Robinson.

Ole Miss at LSU (65.8 percent): Hugh Freeze will line up against the man, Ed Orgeron, who gave him his start in college football in 2005. The offensive changes Orgeron’s made since taking over as interim coach have produced 42 and 45 points respectively.

Oct 15, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Danny Etling (16) celebrates with wide receiver Malachi Dupre (15) during the fourth quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Southern Mississippi 45-10. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

That could bode well against an Ole Miss defense that is near the bottom in the SEC in several categories. The 34-30 loss to Arkansas ended Ole Miss’ title plans.

It’s also the return of Leonard Fournette, who hasn’t played because of injury in four weeks. But ultimately the question could be is LSU against the quick-strike offense of Chad Kelly and the Rebels who lead the league in passing and scoring quickly.

They score nearly 40 points per game and average just 23:43 in time of possession.