It’s time for some expert predictions for Week 9 in the SEC.

There are six games involving SEC teams this week, so let’s take a look at projected outcomes for Saturday’s matchups, according to four different media outlets — USA TODAY, Athlon Sports, Bleacher Report and FBSchedules.

SEC PICKS BY USA TODAY COLUMNIST DAN WOLKEN

  • Texas A&M over New Mexico State
  • Florida over Georgia
  • Auburn over Ole Miss
  • Tennessee over South Carolina

Note: Dan is playing it safe this week, taking all of the favorites listed by Vegas. But can you blame him? Out of seven USA TODAY weekly pickers, only one writer went with anything different — Paul Myerberg is taking Ole Miss to upset the Tigers.

SEC PICKS BY ATHLON SPORTS EDITOR STEVEN LASSAN

  • Kentucky over Missouri
  • Mississippi State over Samford
  • Tennessee over South Carolina
  • Texas A&M over New Mexico State
  • Auburn over Ole Miss
  • Florida over Georgia

Note: With a win on Saturday against Mizzou, Kentucky will have improved to 5-3 (4-2) having conquered its opponent in five of its last six outings. If that happens and Florida loses, the Wildcats — wait for it — would be atop the SEC East standings heading into November. Check it for yourself.

Here’s what Steven sent me regarding his picks for Week 9:

Coming off a record-setting performance against Arkansas, Auburn’s ground attack should keep rolling against Ole Miss and the SEC’s worst run defense. Saturday’s matchup in Jacksonville begins a tough stretch for Florida, and I think the Gators win this one thanks to a strong defensive effort. The other intriguing game in the SEC this week takes place in Columbia as Missouri hosts Kentucky. The Wildcats need to win this one to get bowl-eligible this year.

SEC PICKS BY BLEACHER REPORT COLUMNIST BRIAN PEDERSEN

  • Kentucky 29, Missouri 24
  • Florida 24, Georgia 20
  • Mississippi State 48, Samford 20
  • Ole Miss 25, Auburn 24
  • Tennessee 28, South Carolina 17
  • Texas A&M 54, New Mexico State 14

Note: Could the SEC’s worst run defense rally to stop the conference’s best rush offense? That’s what Brian thinks as Ole Miss (226.9 rushing yards allowed per game) hosts red-hot Auburn (302.9 ypg) in Oxford on Saturday night.

Each of Ole Miss’ losses has been to ranked teams. It led by 10 or more three times in those games but was outscored 94-35 in the second half. Auburn’s dedication to the run — the key to a four-game win streak — has made the Tigers formidable, though it’s also helped that they’ve played six of seven at home. The Rebels will hang on for once.

SEC PICKS BY FBSCHEDULES WRITER ERIC TAYLOR

  • Missouri 34, Kentucky 30
  • Florida 28, Georgia 17
  • Mississippi State 31, Samford 21
  • Auburn 38, Ole Miss 27
  • Tennessee 42, South Carolina 14
  • Texas A&M 56, New Mexico State 10

Note: Eric likes Florida to not only hand Georgia its third straight loss in the Cocktail Party, but its fourth game in five tries since Week 3. That would begin to make things a bit interesting for the Bulldogs’ bowl intentions as they see Kentucky on the road in Week 10 with home games against Auburn, UL-Lafayette and Georgia Tech.

Georgia went into last week’s open date with a homecoming loss to Vanderbilt. This is a surprise to no one, but that is not how a team wants to head into an open date before playing the team that has given the program fits for 25 years.

The Bulldogs keep this close into the third quarter, but the Gators’ defense will eventually force Jacob Eason into a couple bad throws and pull away for a big victory to stay atop the SEC East over Tennessee.