It’s time to look at key questions across the SEC involving Saturday’s Week 5 slate of games:

Perception: Tennessee, coming off a bye, is a trendy upset pick to win in Athens

Based on talent and program development under Butch Jones, most of us expect the Vols to win a game they’re ‘not supposed to win’ this season in the SEC East, similar to last year’s nailbiting finish against South Carolina. Quarterback Justin Worley is off to a hot start and Tennessee’s had two weeks to prepare for its conference opener in Athens. If last season’s game is any indication, this rivalry could come down to the wire.

Reality: Georgia is more talented on both sides of the ball and has an East title to win

This one’s a must-win for the Bulldogs if they plan on staying in the championship picture and I’d expect them to play like it. The line opened at 19.5 points which seems a bit high, but I could see Georgia covering since Todd Gurley could have his way against a mid-level rush defense. This matchup’s biggest edge comes at the line of scrimmage where Georgia’s front seven has a chance to feast on Tennessee’s crop of newcomers up front. Leonard Floyd and Amarlo Herrera off the blitz could pose problems.

Perception: Texas A&M’s rush defense won’t be able to handle the Arkansas backfield

Perhaps the SEC’s hottest ticket right now outside of Mississippi State, the Razorbacks have rushed for the seventh-most yards in the nation and rank second in rushing touchdowns with 17. Bret Bielema’s implementation of the Wisconsin ground game is nearing full strength in Fayetteville, despite being surrounding by spread offenses at other Western Division programs. If Arkansas continues to win the battle at the point of attack, this team’s bowl bound with a few seasons left to spoil.

Reality: Can the Arkansas secondary contain Kenny Hill and Kevin Sumlin’s up-tempo pace?

The Texas Shootout. Fans at AT&T Stadium on Saturday are in for a show — if they like offense. Tied with three other teams at the bottom, Arkansas has given up a SEC-high eight touchdown passes this season and that plays right into Texas A&M’s strength. Keeping the Aggies offense off the field is the mindset for Bielema who knows his Razorbacks won’t be able to match the nation’s sixth-best team touchdown for touchdown. The key is not letting quarterback Kenny Hill establish a rhythm. Once that happens, Texas A&M’s passing game is the SEC’s best.

Perception: Mizzou’s Maty Mauk will burn South Carolina without a pass rush

The Gamecocks’ struggles rushing the passer are well-documented this season with a league-low four sacks and to no one’s surprise, that deficiency has left its mark on an inexperienced secondary. Mauk, who leads the conference in touchdown passes with 14, is matched up against a pass defense giving up 311.5 yards per game. Though South Carolina’s fared much better its last two outing against pro-style offenses, Mauk’s a serious threat who could dominate if given time.

Reality: The Gamecocks will find a way to thwart the Tigers

Outside of the season-opening anomaly against Texas A&M, South Carolina’s dominated SEC competition at Williams-Brice Stadium over the last three years, albeit with a veteran defense. Breaks that haven’t happened on the road seem to occur at home, especially in the missed opportunities and turnovers department. South Carolina picked off East Carolina quarterback Shane Carden twice to post a quality win earlier this season and followed that up with a momentum-shifting victory over Georgia after Marshall Morgan — a nearly automatic kicker — missed a pair of field goals. No lead for Mizzou is safe in this rivalry, a brutal truth the Tigers discovered last season when the Gamecocks erased a 17-point deficit in the final frame.