It’s time to look at key questions across the SEC involving Saturday’s Week 11 slate of games:

Perception: Win over Vanderbilt strengthens Muschamp’s case

What a difference a week makes for Will Muschamp’s future with the Florida Gators. Appearing dead in the water after a home loss to Mizzou, Muschamp’s team responded in Jacksonville with their first win over division rival Georgia in four seasons. It was Muschamp’s first victory in the series all-time, as a player or coach. A win over Vanderbilt Saturday almost assures the Gators of a bowl berth this season.

Reality: A nine-win season is magic number to keep job

Speculating here, but if the Gators win out, Muschamp will be safe this offseason. It’s difficult to place all the blame on quarterback Jeff Driskel this season, but Florida’s a different team when Treon Harris is in the game instead of the incumbent. We’re interested in seeing how the Gators respond in a non-rivalry matchup in Nashville this weekend. Let’s see if Florida can play with the same fire over the season’s final four games it showed against Georgia. Athletic director Jeremy Foley’s not one to overreact over a single game. Instead, Muschamp’s body of work, like he’s mentioned throughout this ordeal, will be graded at the end of the season.

Perception: Alabama must stop LSU’s run game to prevail

Arguably the SEC West’s second-best rivalry renews its hatred between the lines at Tiger Stadium, a game with heavy College Football Playoff and division title implications. Armed with the nation’s second-most dominant rushing defense at only 78.1 yards allowed per game, Alabama’s focused on dominance in the trenches against a team riding a three-game winning streak. The Crimson Tide’s given up two rushing touchdowns all season while the Tigers average have five different players, including backup quarterback Brandon Harris, who have exceeded that total.

Reality: The Crimson Tide offense has to play well, too

LSU’s perfectly fine with a punt-filled heavyweight fight Saturday night in Death Valley. It’s a recipe that worked out well for the Tigers during a win over Ole Miss earlier this season, a game dictated by field position and crucial momentum-changing plays late in the game. LSU’s defense has improved significantly since a rocky two-game stretch to open the SEC slate, arguably the best the Crimson Tide’s seen this season outside of that group in Oxford. In what could be Blake Sims’ defining moment, Alabama’s ability to score points and put pressure on the Tigers is paramount.