We’re a little more than halfway through the college football season now and the picture is becoming a little clearer each week as the real contenders create some separation from the rest. But there are a lot of things still to be decided as the calendar prepares to turn over to November.

Here are 10 burning SEC questions going into Week 9.

1. Can Georgia flip the script and play the spoiler of sorts to Florida’s season just like the Gators did to them a year ago? It’s certainly possible because the Dawgs have never lacked in talent. Coach Mark Richt’s team has struggled at times offensively, thanks in large part to inconsistent play at quarterback and along the offensive line, but the Bulldogs boast plenty of playmakers in the likes of RB Sony Michel and WR Malcolm Mitchell among others. The Bulldogs remain a dangerous bunch.
2. How likely is it that Kentucky will win at least six games and become bowl-eligible? Probable, given that the Wildcats already have four victories and should be favored in upcoming games against Vanderbilt (Nov. 14) and Charlotte (Nov. 21). A home date with struggling rival Louisville to close the season could add another “W” to the ledger. The ‘Cats will be decided underdogs when they host Tennessee this week and play at Georgia on Nov. 7, but both are potentially winnable games.
3. Tennessee might be the best 3-4 team in the country. Will that small consolation be enough to save coach Butch Jones’ job? Jones is unlikely to go anywhere because the Vols have made significant progress with their four losses coming at the hands of teams that have all been ranked in the AP top 20 at some point this year. They were all heartbreaking losses for sure, but the Vols have played hard and should win out the rest of the way to go to a decent bowl game. Jones has this program on the right track, even if the progress hasn’t been as quick as some in Vols Nation might have liked.
4. Will Vanderbilt go with two quarterbacks the rest of the way after playing both Kyle Shurmur and Johnny McCrary in last week’s win over Missouri? It’s very possible as Shurmur, a true freshman, played nine possessions in his first start last week, while former starter McCrary played in four. Shurmur has the bigger arm of the two to stretch the field, while McCrary, a redshirt sophomore, is by far the better runner. Look for offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig to go with both in various situations.
5. Will Maty Mauk resume his job as Missouri’s starting QB now that he has been reinstated to the team? The team’s offensive struggles in his absence means that it’s very likely that Mauk is again under center this week when the struggling Tigers host 25th-ranked Mississippi State in the hopes of averting their fourth consecutive loss and fifth over the last five games. True freshman Drew Lock struggled in Mauk’s absence, losing the three games without scoring a single touchdown. It remains unclear why Mauk was suspended, but necessity will likely assure him of being back on the field this week.
6. Is it time for a QB change at Texas A&M?: It looks that way as coach Kevin Sumlin has opened the quarterback competition in the hopes of jump-starting his stagnant offense. A week after throwing three pick-sixes in the loss to Alabama, starter Kyle Allen was horrid again, completing just 12 of 34 passes for 88 yards and 1 interception in the Aggies’ 23-3 loss to Ole Miss last week. He completed just 2 of his last 22 passes for -3 yards. Former five-star recruit Kyler Murray might be the answer after he works his way back out of Sumlin’s doghouse for unspecified reasons. Sophomore transfer Jake Hubenak is also in the mix.
7. How much did it help Ole Miss to have behemoth left tackle Laremy Tunsil back in the lineup against Texas A&M last weekend?: The future pro wasted no time making his presence felt by largely neutralizing Aggies pass-rushing specialist Myles Garrett to give quarterback Chad Kelly more time to throw and helping the Rebels win up front and rush for 230 yards in their 23-3 victory.
8. Mississippi State is a team that has largely flown under the radar, but are the Bulldogs a team to keep an eye on?: It’s been amazing watching a team this good go with little to no national fanfare this year, despite boasting one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Dak Prescott. The 25th-ranked Bulldogs host Alabama on Nov. 14 in what could be a trap game for the Crimson Tide.
9. How important is Arkansas’ date with Tennessee-Martin on Saturday?: The host Razorbacks will be the overwhelming favorite, but it will be critical for coach Bret Bielema’s team to build on the momentum it created with last week’s memorable 54-46 decision over Auburn that took four overtimes to decide.
10. Is it going to kill Alabama fans to root for Auburn this weekend?: Probably, but they don’t have much of a choice if the Crimson Tide hopes to make it back to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game. As of right now, Alabama doesn’t control its destiny in the SEC. Because it and Ole Miss currently sit a game behind undefeated LSU in the SEC West standings with one league loss apiece, Alabama needs to beat LSU on Nov. 7 and hope the Rebels pick up another loss somewhere else. Go Tigers??