What you need to know about every SEC West opponent in Week 6

While Georgia and Tennessee stole the show, five of the eight SEC games played last week were decided by two touchdowns or more. Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU and Ole Miss all cruised to lopsided victories, though it’s tough to imagine Week 6 will be as one-sided.

While the Rebels — who steamrolled Memphis, 48-28 last weekend — will have a bye this Saturday, here is a preview of every SEC West team’s opponent for Week 6.

ALABAMA (AT ARKANSAS)

Alabama 2016 PPG: 44
Alabama 2016 PPG allowed: 13

Strength: The Crimson Tide has relied on a balanced offense and strong defense thus far, and they roll into Fayetteville as the No. 1 ranked team with a perfect 5-0 mark. As good as Alabama has been on offense — the team averages 484.4 yards per game — the defense has been equally impressive through the first month of the season. Aside from Ole Miss, which hung tough with the Tide before ultimately losing 48-43 in Oxford, no team has come within four touchdowns of Alabama.

Must stop: The Tide boasts more playmakers than perhaps any other team in the nation, though there are a few specific weapons who the Razorbacks must contain to pull off an upset on Saturday night. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has been sharp thus far, connecting on 84-of-135 pass attempts for 7 touchdowns and an interception. Calvin Ridley is clearly his favorite target as he’s hauled in 31 receptions for 398 yards and 3 touchdowns. But Alabama is hardly one-dimensional, Damien Harris (42 carries, 356 yards, 1 TD) is dangerous on the ground as is Hurts, who has used his feet to score three touchdowns this season.

Notable: Alabama has won its last nine meetings against Arkansas, and it beat the Razorbacks 27-14 in Tuscaloosa last October.

ARKANSAS (VS. ALABAMA)

Arkansas 2016 PPG: 36
Arkansas 2016 PPG allowed: 23.2

Strength: As much as Bret Bielema and his staff want to establish a running game — and to their credit, they have — Razorbacks quarterback Austin Allen has been among the biggest surprises in the SEC this fall. The first-year signal-caller has already thrown 12 touchdowns compared to just 2 interceptions, and he’s completed 94-of-139 pass attempts for 1,232 yards. Arkansas will try to get its running game going on Saturday, but against a Crimson Tide team which allows just 68.4 yards per game, Allen will have to be at his best.

Must stop: Part of Allen’s early success can be attributed to the Razorbacks’ plethora of receivers. Drew Morgan (301 yards, 1 TD) and Jared Cornelius (262 yards, 4 TDs) are the quarterback’s favorite targets, though Keon Hatcher (281 yards, 3 TD) can be dangerous if he’s able to play after sitting out last weekend with a hamstring injury that he suffered against Texas A&M in Week 4. If the Hogs are able to run on Alabama, it will be Rawleigh Williams III (101 carries, 559 yards, 4 TDs) and Devwah Whaley (33 carries, 220 yards, 1 TD) who lead the charge.

Notable: Even though the Razorbacks have lost their last nine meetings with the Tide, Arkansas has kept recent home matchups against Alabama relatively close. Aside from the 52-0 thrashing they took in 2012, the Razorbacks lost 14-13 and 24-20 when they hosted the Tide in Fayetteville in 2014 and 2010, respectively.

AUBURN (AT MISSISSIPPI STATE)

Auburn 2016 PPG: 31.2
Auburn 2016 PPG allowed: 16.4

Strength: After posting a 1-2 record in its first three games, the Tigers will enter Starkville riding high after earning wins in their last two contests. Following a wild finish in which it pulled out an 18-13 victory over LSU, Auburn flexed its muscles when it creamed Louisiana-Monroe 58-7 last Saturday. While quarterback Sean White (983 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT) has been solid behind center, the Tigers also like to use their running game to pick up yards in bunches.

Must stop: With 517 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, Kerryon Johnson has been among the most dominant running backs in the country. He’s not the only threat on the ground as Kamryn Pettway (336 yards, 1 TD) has also helped Auburn’s running attack thrive. Through the air, Tony Stevens (21 receptions, 344 yards, 3 TDs) has positioned himself as the team’s top receiver, though Kyle Davis has made the most of his seven catches as he averages 25.4 yards per reception.

Notable: The Tigers will look to bounce back after falling in their previous two meetings against the Bulldogs. Mississippi State pulled out a 17-9 victory when these rivals met in Auburn last September.

MISSISSIPPI STATE (VS. AUBURN)

Mississippi State 2016 PPG: 28.5
Mississippi State 2016 PPG allowed: 23.3

Strength: With a 2-2 record, the Bulldogs are still trying to find an identity as they head into the bulk of their SEC schedule. Still, Mississippi State has the talent to pull out a win on Saturday, especially if the team is able to maintain the balanced attack it has showcased through its first four games. Thus far, the Bulldogs’ offense has been among the most balanced in the conference as it has generated 878 yards on the ground and 857 through the air.

Must stop: Dual-threat quarterback Nick Fitzgerald helps the team do both. He leads the team with 603 passing yards and 5 touchdowns, while he’s also boasted a team-best 329 rushing yards on the ground. When he’s throwing the ball, Fred Ross (288 yards, 4 TDs) and Donald Gray (258 yards, 1 TD) are his go-to receivers. Brandon Holloway is the featured back as he’s run for 191 yards and a score on 41 carries.

Notable: Even though the Bulldogs have toppled Auburn the last two times these rivals played in Starkville, the Tigers have won five of the last seven matchups on the road dating back to 2002.

FLORIDA (VS. LSU)

Florida 2016 PPG: 28.4
Florida 2016 PPG allowed: 11.6

Strength: Defense, defense, defense. That is what has allowed the Gators to start out the season with a 4-1 record. Aside from its 38-28 loss to Tennessee in Week 4, none of Florida’s opponents have cracked double digits through its first five games. Sure, the Gators’ September schedule was downright simple, but the team still has talent across its defense regardless of the opponent. Jabari Zuniga anchors the defensive line and is tied for the second-most sacks in the SEC with five, while Teez Tabor (3 INTs) and Quincy Wilson (2) rank atop the conference in picks.

Must stop: Offensively, senior quarterback Austin Appleby (470 yards, 3 TDs) has been solid since replacing the injured Luke Del Rio behind center, and sophomore wide receiver Antonio Callaway (20 receptions, 371 yards, 2 TDs) is a target that any signal-caller can work with.

On the ground, Jordan Scarlett leads the team with 55 carries, 274 yards and 4 touchdowns, though Mark Thompson (47 carries, 197 yards, 2 TDs) and Lamical Perine (37 carries, 194 yards, 1 TD) have both shown big-play capabilities. They both have scampered for 36-yard gains on the ground, which ties for the Gators’ longest run from scrimmage.

Notable: Although Florida holds a 31-28-3 advantage all-time in the series, LSU has won the three previous meetings. The Gators’ last victory came when they won a defensive battle 14-6 in The Swamp back in 2012.

TENNESSEE (AT TEXAS A&M)

Tennessee 2016 PPG: 33
Tennessee 2016 PPG allowed: 23

Strength: Perhaps more than any other SEC team, Tennessee has had luck on its side through the first five weeks of the season. After escaping Week 1 with a tight victory over Appalachian State, the Vols improved to 5-0 once Josh Dobbs’ last-second Hail Mary guided the team to a 34-31 win in Georgia last weekend. Tennessee possesses a balanced offensive attack, but it’s the team’s uncanny ability to win that has made the difference in the early part of the year.

Must stop: While he has completed 77-of-133 pass attempts for 1,035 yards and 13 touchdowns, Dobbs also has the tools to be dangerous on the ground. His 65 carries and 267 rushing yards both rank second on the team, though his five rushing touchdowns is the most of any Tennessee runner. He isn’t the Vols’ only threat in the running game as Jalen Hurd (101 carries, 407 yards, 2 TDs) is also a weapon.

When he’s dropping back to pass, Dobbs looks for his favorite targets Josh Malone (15 catches, 310 yards, 5 TDs) and Jauan Jennings (12 catches, 213 yards, 3 TDs). Both Malone and Jennings have hauled in 67-yard touchdown passes, and it was Jennings who came down with the 43-yard Hail Mary grab to keep the undefeated record intact.

Notable: The Vols and Aggies have yet to play since Texas A&M joined the SEC. Tennessee holds a 2-0 edge in the series all-time as it beat the Aggies 38-7 when the teams last played in the 2005 Cotton Bowl. The Vols also have a 3-0 victory over Texas A&M on their résumé, though that came way back in the 1957 Gator Bowl.

Brad Joyal