Week 9 won’t feature a single blowout in the SEC, but rather a bunch of competitive games. Mississippi State and Texas A&M will duel in a close matchup, with the Aggies finding a way to win at home.

The Tennessee schools — Vanderbilt and Tennessee — will continue to falter and lose on the road. The “World’s Largest Cocktail Party” will be entertaining, but Georgia will pull away from Florida late. Arkansas and Kentucky will both respond after getting embarrassed last week.

Three SEC schools have a bye — Alabama, Auburn and LSU. For the 11 SEC teams in action this week, here are projections for margins of victory, ranked from losses/narrow wins to the biggest blowout.

11. Vanderbilt

Opponent: at South Carolina

Bovada line: +7

Prediction: Vanderbilt loses by 17

Why: Vanderbilt was crushed last week on the road at Ole Miss and the rest of the season looks bleak. The Commodores have given up around 50 points on average to conference opponents this season. Derek Mason’s squad will lose a fifth consecutive game on Saturday afternoon.

10. Florida

Opponent: vs. Georgia

Bovada line: +15

Prediction: Florida loses by 14

Why: Before the season began, it looked like Florida could win this game. With the Bulldogs shining and the Gators struggling, that outcome seems unlikely. Florida has won three straight in the series, but it won’t be able to extend the streak to four.

In its three losses this season, Florida has surrendered 171.33 rushing yards per game. With a loaded rushing attack, Georgia should be able to surpass that average.

9. Tennessee

Opponent: at Kentucky

Bovada line: +5

Prediction: Tennessee loses by 10

Why: Like Vanderbilt, Tennessee’s season is all but over. The Volunteers are averaging only nine points per game in conference play. That’s worse than any other Power 5 school in the country and trails only Ball State for dead last.

Butch Jones is 4-0 versus Mark Stoops while at Tennessee. He won’t finished undefeated against the Kentucky head coach.

8. Ole Miss

Opponent: vs. Arkansas

Bovada line: No line listed

Prediction: Ole Miss loses by 7

Why: Without Shea Patterson, the Rebels’ offense won’t be explosive. It needs to be, considering the Ole Miss defense is giving up 318 rushing yards per game to conference opponents. Jordan Ta’amu is set to make his first career start in Week 9, which doesn’t alleviate any pressure off the defense.

Without an offense, the Rebels will be hard-pressed to win any conference games the rest of the season.

7. Missouri

Opponent: UConn

Bovada line: -13 

Prediction: Missouri loses by 6

Why: Missouri is the worst team in the SEC. It’s hard to believe that the Tigers will head up North and beat a team on the road, even if the Huskies are less talented. Missouri is giving up almost 40 points per game. There are multiple reasons to not trust Barry Odom’s group right now.

6. Mississippi State

Opponent: at Texas A&M 

Bovada line: Pick em

Prediction: Mississippi State loses by 3

Why: It’s hard to trust Dan Mullen’s team on the road considering how inconsistent it has been this season. The Bulldogs were curb-stomped in their two conference road games so far. This game will be closer, but Mississippi State won’t find a way to win.

5. Texas A&M

Opponent: vs. Mississippi State 

Bovada line: Pick em

Prediction: Texas A&M wins by 3

Why: Under Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M has choked after losing to Alabama in recent years. After beating Florida on the road last week, his 2017 squad looks poised to break that trend. The Aggies will have their hands full with a confident Nick Fitzgerald coming into College Station.

Texas A&M’s defense has looked good as of late, surrendering about 20 points per game its last three outings. The home team has won four straight in this matchup. Make it five.

4. Arkansas

Opponent: at Ole Miss 

Bovada line: No line listed

Prediction: Arkansas wins by 7

Why: Ole Miss has lost three straight to the Razorbacks. For whatever reason, Arkansas has had the Rebels’ number the past few seasons. Both teams are dealing with crucial injuries, but Arkansas will be able to emerge victorious.

The Ole Miss rushing defense has been putrid, giving Dan Enos’s offense a chance to finally get going on the ground. Once again, the Razorbacks are happy leaving Oxford.

3. Kentucky

Opponent: vs. Tennessee

Bovada line: -5

Prediction: Kentucky wins by 10

Why: Kentucky got demolished against Mississippi State in Week 8, but the Wildcats will respond at home this week. This game will be less about Kentucky and more about Tennessee. The Volunteers feel like they have nothing left to play for with their coach one foot out the door.

Kentucky still has a lot left in the tank and could win eight games for the first time since 2007. Mark Stoops has never beaten Tennessee at Kentucky. His team will finally break through this season.

2. Georgia

Opponent: vs. Florida

Bovada line: -15

Prediction: Georgia wins by 14 

Why: With the exception of Alabama, Georgia is playing the best football in the SEC. The Bulldogs have dominated teams this season and now enter a rivalry game they haven’t fared well in as of late. Jake Fromm will make enough throws keep the Gators’ defense honest, in spite of what Chauncey Gardner said earlier this week. Kirby Smart will move to 1-1 versus McElwain as Georgia’s head coach.

1. South Carolina

Opponent: vs. Vanderbilt

Bovada line: -7

Prediction: South Carolina wins by 17 

Why: South Carolina is coming off a bye and is well-rested. The Gamecocks will face a Vanderbilt team that has had the life sucked out of it. South Carolina has not lost to Vanderbilt since 2008 and won’t lose on Saturday.