UNDATED (AP) — The first month of the college football season has produced plenty of surprises. Teams with high expectations have fallen from the rankings. Not so much in the Southeastern Conference. This weekend could see that change. No. 1 Alabama hosts No. 12 Mississippi and No. 8 Arkansas visits No. 2 Georgia. Those are two of the four games matching ranked teams on the schedule this week.

UNDATED (AP) — Last year’s game with Mississippi held scant resemblance to the traditional Alabama win. The Crimson Tide and Ole Miss combined for 111 points, 1,370 yards and 68 first downs last season. That 63-48 win for Alabama was fun for the offenses, but a bitter memory for the defenses. It left both defenses eager to show they’re improved heading into Saturday’s rematch between the top-ranked Tide and No. 11 Rebels. At least one of the defenses needs to get stops in a game featuring Heisman candidates at quarterback _ Ole Miss’s Matt Corral and Alabama’s Bryce Young. 

UNDATED (AP) — Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis is attracting more and more attention. Davis is a 6-foot-6, 340-pound senior who can occupy two or even three offensive linemen and has the speed to get up field and pressure quarterbacks. Davis has drawn raves this season for his size and mobility for the second-ranked Bulldogs. Georgia’s defense has allowed just 23 points in four games this season. Davis projects as a late first-round NFL draft pick. 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The NCAA has amended its Notice of Allegations against Louisville to include additional violations committed by the men’s basketball program. The new allegations include impermissible activities and accusations that coach Chris Mack did not promote an atmosphere for compliance. The NCAA stated that Louisville allowed graduate assistants, managers and noncoaching staffers to conduct impermissible practices with current players; producing, showing and personalizing recruiting videos to prospects; and holds Mack responsible for both allegations by not promoting compliance. The latest allegations come as an Independent Resolution Panel reviews alleged violations by Louisville related to a corruption scandal.

UNDATED (AP) — Four of the SEC’s seven ranked schools meet in key matchups. No. 2 Georgia hosts No. 8 and resurgent Arkansas, while top-ranked Alabama faces No. 12 Mississippi. Georgia and Arkansas feature two of the nation’s top scoring defenses. Ole Miss brings the nation’s top offense to Tuscaloosa for its showdown against the defending national champion Crimson Tide, who average 46.5 points per game. No. 10 Florida visits unbeaten Kentucky in another notable matchup, with the Gators’ No. 9 offense going against the Wildcats’ ninth-ranked defense.

UNDATED (AP) — Lane Kiffin knows what it takes to beat Alabama in a football game: Just about everything has to go right. The Mississippi coach and former offensive coordinator for the top-ranked Crimson Tide knows teams can’t match them five-star recruit for five-star recruit. Kiffin’s 12th-ranked Rebels and the nation’s prolific offense are the latest to take on the challenge this Saturday. To beat the Tide, he says “you’re going to have to do everything” playing and coaching your best game. Alabama is a two-touchdown favorite against Ole Miss in this battle of SEC West unbeatens.

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Arkansas coach Sam Pittman is wary of too much credit given to his team for its undefeated start. Pittman says “somebody is going to knock you out” if the eighth-ranked Razorbacks are not prepared. The message is well-timed, as Arkansas is preparing for an important test at second-ranked Georgia. Arkansas beat then-No. 7 Texas A&M last week, making the game against Georgia an important showdown of undefeated Southeastern Conference teams. The Bulldogs are led by the nation’s top defense. Pittman was Georgia’s offensive line coach for four years and now is in his second season at Arkansas.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky is unbeaten despite being tied for last in FBS with 11 turnovers. The Wildcats defense has been able to minimize the damage in games with clutch stops to preserve close wins. They can’t afford any giveaways against No. 10 Florida in the Southeastern Conference showdown that could determine a challenger to first-place and second-ranked Georgia. The Gators have the nation’s No. 9 offense at nearly 541 yards per game and No. 3 rushing attack, but face a Wildcats defense allowing just 260 yards per game. Florida has won 33 of 34 meetings against Kentucky, including its last 16 trips to Lexington.

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