SEC Rewind | Georgia coach saw UK's potential

Consider the SEC East's top team aware of what the University of Kentucky can do.

With the Bulldogs off Saturday, Georgia coach Mark Richt said he'd be in front of the TV and "probably start watching real close around 3:30" — the same time as UK kicked off against No. 1 Mississippi State.

After traveling to Missouri at 4 p.m. Saturday, the Cats host Georgia on Nov. 8, matching up against the East's top two teams in consecutive weeks. As for the rest of the league, we break it down below:

EAST DIVISION

1. Georgia (6-1, 4-1) — Assessing the Bulldogs' season so far, the Athens Banner Herald's Marx Weiszer noted Georgia's gains in turnover margin, kickoff returns, scoring defense and its running game. All those have Richt's team ranked. (http://bit.ly/1pNTXcz)

2. Missouri (6-2, 3-1) — The Tigers' final tuneup before playing UK was simply that, as Missouri became the latest team to beat lowly Vanderbilt on Saturday, 24-14. "The main thing is we're not fully back how we were," quarterback Maty Mauk said, "but we're starting to execute." (http://bit.ly/1zwbkbu)

3. Florida (3-3, 2-3) — The Gators, who are growing used to playing from behind under embattled coach Will Muschamp, have struggled to come back behind a poor passing game. Florida, off this weekend, is 110th in the nation in passing after coming in at 92nd, 114th and 89th in Muschamp's previous three seasons. (http://bit.ly/1pNU4oy)

4. Kentucky (5-3, 2-3) — UK has appeared a better team at home than on the road, but three of the Cats' final four games happen away from Commonwealth Stadium. Said quarterback Patrick Towles: "We'll take it week by week." (http://cjky.it/1uZXEO4)

5. South Carolina (4-4, 2-4) — The Gamecocks had a chance to upset Auburn before Dylan Thompson threw an interception in the fourth quarter, leading to a six-play, 80-yard scoring drive. Previously tied 35-35, that score made the difference in the Tigers' 42-35 victory. (http://bit.ly/1wwM6rd)

6. Tennessee (3-5, 0-4) — Lane Kiffin walked the opposite sideline, but the result was the same for the Volunteers — another loss to Alabama. Tennessee fans weren't particularly gracious toward their former coach upon his arrival to Neyland Stadium. (http://cbsprt.co/1wzKaMY)

7. Vanderbilt (2-6, 0-5) — The Commodores' quarterback carousel continued spinning during a loss at Missouri, but another change led to another loss in coach Derek Mason's first season. (http://tnne.ws/1wsrZYT)

WEST DIVISION

1. Mississippi State (7-0, 4-0) — Playing at UK as the No. 1 team in the nation for the first time ever, the Bulldogs, at least in their coach's eyes, "were a little tight," Dan Mullen said. "But I don't think we flinched." (http://on.thec-l.com/1tsEJ31)

2. Ole Miss (7-1, 4-1) — With a game against MSU coming later this season, one of the undefeated teams from Mississippi had to go down. The Rebels did so sooner than expected, falling 10-7 at LSU after a questionable late play call resulted in an interception. (http://on.thec-l.com/1pNUf37)

3. Alabama (7-1, 4-1) — The Crimson Tide scored 20 points in the first quarter but sputtered in the middle of their 34-20 victory at Tennessee. Coach Nick Saban chalked it up to the pressure of that particular opponent, saying, "Rivalry games can be that way." (http://bit.ly/1wtsSQN)

4. Auburn (6-1, 3-1) — AL.com's Kevin Scarbinsky put it best after Auburn walked away with a wild victory against South Carolina: "Any win over Steve Spurrier is a good win especially on a night when the Head Ball Coach is at his Hall of Fame play-calling, dice-rolling and risk-taking best." (http://bit.ly/ZSnwmC)

5. LSU (7-2, 3-2) — It was already an emotional day for coach Les Miles, who lost his mother, Martha, on Friday. Miles talked about how he coached in spite of that following a thrilling victory over Ole Miss. (http://bit.ly/1zbNCjy)

6. Texas A&M (5-3, 2-3) — After a 59-0 loss to Alabama, coach Kevin Sumlin headed into the Aggies' off week saying, "I don't think there's anything that's off the table" as far as depth chart changes. A three-game losing streak has dropped Texas A&M from No. 6 in the nation to out of the top 25. (http://bit.ly/1wwMpSZ)

7. Arkansas (4-4, 0-4) — The Razorbacks went out of conference for a 45-17 win over UAB on Saturday, coming away with a highlight play of the day when 350-pound offensive guard Sebastian Tretola threw a touchdown pass. (http://es.pn/1DPUF1k)

Jonathan Lintner can be reached at (502) 582-4199. Follow him on Twitter @JonathanLintner .