With six teams tied for second in the Southeastern Conference standings, Week 9 provides ample opportunity for programs to separate themselves from the pack.
After defeating Arkansas 45-42 last week, the Texas A&M Aggies are faced with one of their most challenging tasks to date on Saturday night, as head coach Mike Elko looks to capture the Maroon and White’s first win over LSU since 1994. At the top of the league with Texas A&M, Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama squad is looking to maintain its winning ways at Williams-Bryce Stadium this weekend.
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Other ranked-versus-ranked matchups like Ole Miss taking on Oklahoma and Vanderbilt facing Missouri will show exactly what each team is made of and its potential trajectory moving forward. Meanwhile, No. 22 Texas and No. 17 Tennessee are on upset alert, as they face daunting road tasks against conference foes.
Here are the full predictions and previews for each SEC matchup on the Week 9 slate:
No. 8 Ole Miss at No. 13 Oklahoma (-5.5) – 11 a.m. CT on ABC
Oct 18, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) runs the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the third quarter of the game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Breakdown: While the Ole Miss Rebels were not able to pull off the upset in Athens, Georgia, last weekend, there is still much left on the table to be fought for this weekend against an Oklahoma team with one of the best quarterbacks in the country. After suffering a hand injury that led to midseason surgery, John Mateer looked much healthier and closer to 100% against the Gamecocks, as he threw for 150 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions in the 26-7 win over South Carolina.
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On the other sideline, Ole Miss signal-caller Trinidad Chambliss will be faced with one of the most demanding tasks to date against the Sooners‘ defensive unit that ranks No. 1 in total production in the country. Lane Kiffin will draw up just enough pressure to force a mistake or two from Mateer.
Prediction: No. 8 Ole Miss 31 | No. 13 Oklahoma 27
Auburn at Arkansas (-2.5) – 11:45 a.m. CT on SEC Network
Oct 18, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown int he second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Breakdown: It has been a month of unfortunate events for the Auburn Tigers, but they are looking to secure their first SEC win of the season against an Arkansas program also trying to find its footing. The Razorbacks had much success putting up points against the Aggies’ physical defensive front in a closely-contested rivalry battle last weekend.
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If Arkansas can repeat that performance, it could be a long day for Hugh Freeze and company. For Auburn, this game provides an opportunity to spark hope of reaching a bowl game, should they leave Fayetteville with a win. Taylen Green’s ability as a dual-threat quarterback is going to be too much for the Tigers to keep up with, however. Head coach Bobby Petrino will secure his first SEC victory as the interim head coach on Saturday.
Prediction: Auburn 17 | Arkansas 30
No. 4 Alabama (-11.5) at South Carolina – 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – OCTOBER 18: Ty Simpson #15 of the Alabama Crimson Tide holds a cigar in his mouth after their 37-20 win over Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Breakdown: Residing at the top of the SEC with Texas A&M, the Crimson Tide have rolled opponents since dropping the season-opener to Florida State. Ty Simpson has emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in college football, throwing for 1,931 yards and a league-best 18 touchdowns through seven games.
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For the Gamecocks, the struggles offensively have significantly altered their success, particularly the continued troubles in the trenches. Expect Alabama to take advantage by drawing up pressure with guys like Yhonzae Pierre, who had six total tackles, including three tackles-for-loss, and three sacks against Tennessee last Saturday night. The Crimson Tide rolls to another conference victory, as the program continues to eye a spot in the SEC Championship.
Prediction: No. 4 Alabama 33 | South Carolina 10
No. 15 Missouri at No. 10 Vanderbilt (-2.5) – 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates following the game between Vanderbilt University and Louisiana State University at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
Breakdown: Fresh off its first win against LSU since 1990, the Vanderbilt Commodores play host to the Missouri Tigers in what should be the game of the week in the SEC. With the national spotlight, including ESPN’s College Gameday, on the Dores, quarterback Diego Pavia is looking to add more achievements to his 2025 Heisman campaign with a win over one of the No. 5 in FBS, with 243.0 yards allowed per game.
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For Mizzou to topple Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee, the Tigers must establish dominance in the trenches for running back Ahmad Hardy to let loose. Quarterback Beau Pribula’s consistency must improve in what should be a rowdy environment on Saturday afternoon. Pavia’s push to the playoffs continues in what could be a back-and-forth battle between the Dores and the Tigers.
Prediction: No. 15 Missouri 21 | No. 10 Vanderbilt 24
No. 22 Texas (-7.5) at Mississippi State – 3:15 p.m. CT on SEC Network
Oct 18, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs tight end Seydou Traore (8) gestures towards the crowd after a touchdown against the Florida Gators during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Breakdown: Mississippi State’s loss to Florida in Week 8 was another heartbreaker for the Bulldogs. After taking Tennessee to overtime and dropping last weekend’s game to the Gators, Jeff Lebby is looking to finally get over the hump and capture the program’s first conference win since 2023 against the Texas Longhorns, who have had their fair share of struggles in recent weeks. The Bulldogs’ defense ranks first in the SEC with 10 interceptions in 2025 and could add to their total if Arch Manning shows more inconsistency.
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MSU quarterback Blake Shapen stated that last week was the worst performance of his collegiate career and that it must be fixed this week, matched up against a Texas defense ranked at the top of the league in all statistical categories. The underdog spot is just where MSU likes to be entering this weekend’s contest against the Longhorns, as Shapen rights the ship and gets this offense back on track with a massive SEC win.
Prediction: No. 22 Texas 17 | Mississippi State 21
No. 3 Texas A&M (-2.5) at No. 20 LSU – 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC
Oct 18, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Rueben Owens II (4) rushes for a touchdown during the fourth quarter as quarterback Marcel Reed (10) and Arkansas Razorbacks defensive lineman Justus Boone (0) look on at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Breakdown: Texas A&M has not left Death Valley as winners since 1994, but Saturday night’s matchup could be a completely different chapter in the story of this year’s squad. There is nothing like Tiger Stadium at night, however. This is a prime opportunity for LSU to secure an impressive victory, which will be massive for Brian Kelly’s hopes of keeping his job as the Tigers’ head coach moving forward.
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The implications do not get much bigger than this for the program in Baton Rouge this weekend. With LSU’s elite linebacker Whit Weeks still listed as doubtful on the latest injury report, along with other injuries and inconsistencies on the Tigers‘ defensive unit, running back Rueben Owens II will find success on the ground. The explosive weapons on the Aggies’ roster rewrite history and end the streak at LSU this weekend.
Prediction: No. 3 Texas A&M 27 | No. 20 LSU 20
No. 17 Tennessee (-8.5) at Kentucky – 6:45 p.m. CT on SEC Network
Peyton Lewis. Tennessee Volunteers versus Arkansas Razorbacks football at Neyland Stadium on Oct. 11, 2025.
Breakdown: The Wildcats gave Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns as much as they could handle in an overtime thriller in Lexington last Saturday night. That contest proved that Kentucky still has much fight left in the tank, entering the Week 9 rivalry matchup against the Vols. Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar has been outstanding this season, as he currently leads the SEC with 278.3 passing yards per game.
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The transfer gunslinger could find success against a Kentucky pass defense that ranks No. 13 in the league in yards allowed per game in 2025. For the Wildcats, the key to staying in this game will depend on the status of star running back Seth McGowan and if junior Dante Dowdell can make up for the potential loss of production. Aguilar should have a big outing for the Vols in this one, as Tennessee keeps its playoff dreams intact for another week.
Prediction: No. 17 Tennessee 38 | Kentucky 14
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: SEC football Week 9 preview, predictions for separation Saturday
