Georgia’s the only remaining team in the East in control of its own destiny, but Mizzou has a realistic shot depending on the outcome of Saturday’s showdown with Kentucky. Here’s how the division’s contenders stack up as we enter the final five weeks of the season:

GEORGIA (6-1, 4-1)

Todd Gurley or not, Georgia’s been the class of the SEC East this season. The Bulldogs are three points away from being unbeaten and ranked in the Top 5 with an above-average defense and the SEC East’s top rushing attack. Mark Richt’s team sits in great position with five games remaining and just outside the College Football Playoff’s Top 10.

REMAINING SEC GAMES: vs. Florida, Saturday; at Kentucky, Nov. 8; vs. Auburn, Nov. 15

VERDICT: It appears Georgia’s showdown with Auburn not only has Playoff implications, but will also decide the Eastern Division. Should the Bulldogs win out and reach the SEC Championship Game, Georgia will have national title aspirations. Both Mizzou and Kentucky each have something to say about that.

MIZZOU (6-2, 3-1)

It’s clear the bowl-eligible Tigers have benefited from a soft schedule by SEC standards this fall and have another opportunity Saturday to put pressure on division frontrunner Georgia in the race to Atlanta. At worst, it appears Georgia will finish 6-2 in the East which means Mizzou would need to win out to capture the division.

REMAINING SEC GAMES: vs. Kentucky, Saturday; at Texas A&M, Nov. 15; at Tennessee, Nov. 22; vs. Arkansas, Nov. 28

VERDICT: Mizzou, like Kentucky, needs help from Auburn in Athens on Nov. 15. Since Georgia owns the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Tigers, this weekend’s game against Kentucky is a must-win for Mizzou. The defending division champs have been able to shake off up-and-down play offensively for several weeks, but that’s not going to work against the uptempo Wildcats. A rhythm must be found.

KENTUCKY (5-3, 2-3)

We said three weeks ago there was a chance the Wildcats, 5-1 at the time, could finish 6-6 during the regular season based on Kentucky’s remaining schedule. Two games into the second half, the tailspin would officially begin with a loss at Mizzou this weekend which would equal the Wildcats’ third straight. Patrick Towles is the reason for hope in Lexington, an all-conference quarterback who hasn’t received his due this fall. He nearly beat top-ranked Mississippi State by himself last week.

REMAINING SEC GAMES: at Missouri, Saturday; vs. Georgia, Nov. 8; at Tennessee, Nov. 15

VERDICT: Mathematically alive in the East, Kentucky’s contender status is falling by the game after consecutive losses to nationally-ranked teams out West. The next two games will decide this team’s fate. The Wildcats need Auburn to beat Georgia on Nov. 15 in addition to winning next week’s head-to-head matchup over the Bulldogs. When you’re no longer in control of your own destiny, it usually doesn’t work out.