Each week in this column, SDS news desk editor Michael Bratton (@MichaelWBratton) and SDS senior national columnist Connor O’Gara (@cjogarac) will go head-to-head, picking every SEC game against the spread while sharing their thoughts heading into each matchup.

Our Week 5 SEC selections:

New Mexico State at Arkansas (-16.5)

Michael: The big question in this game is how well the Razorbacks respond to another tough loss to Texas A&M. New Mexico State (2-2) actually comes into this game with a better record than Arkansas (1-2). Despite the advantage in terms of record, Arkansas shouldn’t have any issues beating this team, but I do like the (other) Aggies to cover.

Arkansas 30 New Mexico State 14

Connor: One would think this would be a get-right game for the Hogs. After their defense had a come-back-to-earth game against Texas A&M in Dallas, they get to host a Sun Belt team at home. So what worries me? NMSU averages three sacks per contest. The Hogs have to protect Austin Allen and his receivers have to find a way to get open. Or there’s the crazy thought that Arkansas can try and establish the run. Either way, I can’t see the Hogs running away with any game right now.

Arkansas 28, NMSU 17

Eastern Michigan at Kentucky (-14.5)

Michael: Another team that could suffer from a hangover similar to the one you might get after going on a bender with a mason jar of Bluegrass State moonshine is, of course, Kentucky. How will the Wildcats respond to getting their hearts ripped out be Florida once again? We’ve seen this team play down to the level of its competition twice this season and it’s hard to imagine Kroger Field creating much of an atmosphere for this one after last week’s letdown.

Kentucky 27 Eastern Michigan 13

Connor: This is a good test for Mark Stoops’ team. Why? Because for a team the prides itself on having the right mindset, this game will show how quickly his team is able to bounce back from a crushing loss. If the Wildcats really are the team that plays with a chip on their shoulder, this one should be over by halftime. Benny Snell Jr. should run wild and get Kentucky back on track in a big way.

Kentucky 34, Eastern Michigan 14

Troy at #25 LSU (-19.5)

Michael: Four games into the season, it’s tough to argue that LSU deserves to be ranked in the Top 25. The Tigers have not lived up to their lofty billing thus far, and I expect that trend to continue this weekend against Troy, which has become a very good Sun Belt program. You may recall that Troy put a real scare in Clemson last season and with LSU possibly playing without Derrius Guice and preparing to juggle two quarterbacks while experiencing depth and youth all over the roster, this could be a dangerous game for the team.

LSU 26 Troy 23

Connor: I always find myself gravitating to Group of 5 road teams in these games. So why gravitate to Troy at LSU? Well, last year the Trojans went to Clemson and nearly pulled off the stunning upset on the eventual-national champs. This year, they’re 3-1 with one 11-point loss at Boise State. Given the question marks on the LSU offense, I could easily see this one staying too close for comfort. LSU pulls away late, but Troy covers by a hair.

LSU 30, Troy 14

Vanderbilt at #21 Florida (-9.5)

Michael: This line surprised me when it opened, I’m still not sure Florida can score 10 offensive points against any respectable defense. Normally I would suggest locking down the under in this one (42.5), but Florida’s defense isn’t up to its typical high standard this season and an expected score or two could very well happen. I expect a big game from Gainesville native Ralph Webb in his final appearance in the Swamp and help the Commodores seize the lead entering the fourth quarter. However, Luke Del Rio runs Jim McElwain’s offense better than Gator quarterback on the roster, despite his less than ideal physical attributes. Look for Florida to pull out another miracle in the fourth in this one.

Florida 20 Vanderbilt 18

Connor: So just because Vanderbilt got whacked by Alabama, we’re all of the sudden assuming that this defense can’t play? Call me crazy, but I don’t think the Gators offense will push the Commodores quite like the Tide did. I’m not convinced Luke Del Rio is able to do much against the Vanderbilt defense, which came into last week leading FBS in scoring. The Gators hold on, but as usual, it’s a thriller.

Florida 17, Vanderbilt 14

South Carolina at Texas A&M (-10)

Michael: The Gamecocks look lost on offense without Deebo Samuel and currently have no run game to help ease the load off Jake Bentley. Travelling on the road into a hostile environment and getting a win isn’t something South Carolina has managed to do under Will Muschamp. Meanwhile, the Texas A&M offense is coming together with Kellen Mond at the helm, and the defense has been forcing turnovers in key situations the last few weeks.

Texas A&M 31 South Carolina 20

Connor: I know. Texas A&M just put up 50 points against an SEC defense with a young, talented quarterback while South Carolina had to rally to beat Louisiana Tech. Conventional wisdom suggests the Aggies will roll at home, especially against a Gamecock offense that doesn’t have Deebo Samuel. I’ll go the other way with this one and say that the Carolina defense gives Kellen Mond problems and keeps this one low scoring. Will Muschamp wins a game that nobody expects him to win and Kevin Sumlin is once again firmly on the hot seat.

South Carolina 21, Texas A&M 20

Ole Miss at #1 Alabama (-27.5)

Michael: With both teams coming off completely different outcomes, Ole Miss may very well have significantly more to play for in this matchup. If the Rebels can protect Shea Patterson, admittedly that’s a big if, Ole Miss can take advantage of some matchups on the outside. The status of A.J. Brown looms large in this game, but I’ll take the Rebels to cover over an Alabama team that just wrecked Vanderbilt.

Alabama 38 Ole Miss 20

Connor: I was surprised that the spread was this high. Yes, Alabama just beat the doors off of Vanderbilt, but given Matt Luke’s history against Alabama as Ole Miss’ offensive coordinator, I thought the line would be a bit smaller than that. Plus, Shea Patterson with Ole Miss’ receivers figure to make a handful of big plays to at least keep this one interesting, right? The problem is that Ole Miss’ defense will be severely overmatched against the Alabama ground game and the Tide will keep Ole Miss winless vs. Power 5 teams.

Alabama 55, Ole Miss 28

#7 Georgia (-7.5) at Tennessee

Michael: Considering what is at stake in this game for the Vols, there’s little chance the team comes out and plays like a recently awakened comatose patient like they did against UMass. Tennessee is breaking out the Smokey Greys, the Checker Neyland campaign will be in full effect and the atmosphere should be electric for the highlight of the Neyland Stadium schedule in 2017. All that emotion should be good for something but Georgia is playing so well on defense, points are likely going to be tough to come by in this game. Jake Fromm will quickly emerge as a legend if he lights up the scoreboard in his first trip to Neyland but I don’t envision that happening either. If Nick Chubb is going to make any Heisman noise this season, he’ll have to start his run in this game, which would be somewhat ironic considering he was hurt here two years ago.

Georgia 20 Tennessee 14

Connor: Amidst all the talk surrounding Butch Jones is the reality that he’s not coaching a very good football team right now. The Vols were held to 17 points against 0-4 UMass. Spoiler alert: Georgia is a much better defensive team than UMass. On top of that, are we sure the Vols can actually stop the run? Nick Chubb and Sony Michel are going to run all over Tennessee and blow that 7.5-point spread out of the water. Give me the Dogs and some more Jones hot seat talk.

Georgia 35, Tennessee 10

#24 Mississippi State at #13 Auburn (-9.5)

Michael: Mississippi State got built up thanks to beating an overrated LSU team at home. Playing on the road against a top SEC defense somewhat exposed the Bulldogs last week in Athens. Expect that trend to continue this weekend, albeit to a lesser degree. MSU will rebound a bit, but Auburn will present a tremendous challenge this weekend. Jarrett Stidham has quietly found his rhythm in Auburn’s offense, and both Kerryon Johnson and Kam Pettway are expected to play for the first time this season. Combined with an elite SEC defense, the Tigers will be incredibly tough to beat at home this season.

Auburn 27 Mississippi State 14

Connor: Getting Kam Pettway and Kerryon Johnson on the field together for the first time could be huge. The Tigers’ offense had a coming-out party against Missouri, but let’s be honest. MSU is on another level on that side of the ball. Even after the Bulldogs got embarrassed in Athens, I’m still a believer in that defense, which could carve up that Auburn offensive line. I see this one as a good defensive struggle. I’ll double down on the Bulldogs and go with the upset.

Mississippi State 17, Auburn 16