The game of the year in the SEC comes this weekend, when Mi si sippi State visits Alabama in what Mark McGwire Jersey could prove to be a play-in for the SEC Championship Game. Meanwhile, Auburn's hopes of winning the SEC West hinge not only on beating Georgia but on getting some help, as well. Mi souri and Georgia continue to be the top contenders in the SEC East, but like Auburn, Georgia needs a Mi souri lo s to claim the division. The overall strength of each division, however, continues to be lopsided in favor of the West. Moving up this week: Texas A&M. Moving down: Kentucky.1. Mi si sippi State (9-0, 5-0 in SEC)Up next: at Alabama, Saturday, Nov. 15The skinny: The litmus test for the Bulldogs' standing as the top team in the league comes in a major road challenge against a Crimson Tide team MSU hasn't beaten in Tuscaloosa since the Mike Shula era.2. Alabama (8-1, 5-1)Up next: vs. Mi si sippi State, Saturday, Nov. 15The skinny: Coming off a tough road win over LSU, Alabama comes home with a chance to take the lead in the SEC West. Running back T.J. Yeldon could be limited after an ankle sprain suffered at LSU.3. Auburn (7-2, 4-2)Up next: at Georgia, Saturday, Nov. 15The skinny: Tigers defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson must plug some holes and fix whatever has ailed the Auburn defense of late, and Georgia's offense isn't an easy solution. This could be another high-scoring affair, which Auburn has gotten used to the last few weeks.4. Ole Mi s (8-2, 4-2)Up next: at Arkansas, Saturday, Nov. 22The skinny: The Rebels get the week off before finishing with two SEC West games, against the Razorbacks and rival Mi si sippi State.5. Georgia (7-2, 5-2)Up next: vs. Auburn, Saturday, Nov. 15The skinny: Mark Richt's team gets Todd Gurley back this week in the offensive backfield, but it's the Georgia defense that is the greater concern, especially against Auburn.6. LSU (7-3, 3-3)Up next: at Arkansas, Saturday, Nov. 15The skinny: LSU's front seven on defense will be challenged to slow down the Arkansas running game, which operates behind the biggest offensive line in the SEC. But with three lo ses, the Tigers are out of the league's title hunt.7. Texas A&M (7-3, 3-3)Up next: vs. Mi souri, Saturday, Nov. 25The skinny: Despite the worse record, give the Aggies the edge here over Mi souri. Texas A&M's three lo ses have come at the hands of three of the SEC's top four teams.8. Mi souri (7-2, 4-1)Up next: at Texas A&M, Saturday, Nov. 15The skinny: The Tigers can go to the SEC title game for the second year in a row, but are under pre sure to win out to do so.9. Florida (5-3, 4-3)Up next: vs. South Carolina, Saturday, Nov. 15The skinny: The Gators have won two straight SEC games and have found an offensive identity. And at least mathematically, they're still alive in the SEC East race.10. Kentucky (5-5, 2-5)Up next: at Tenne see, Saturday, Nov. 15The skinny: Quarterback Patrick Towles is one of the SEC's most promising young quarterbacks. Neverthele s, his team is on a four-game losing streak that has included two dismal offensive performances.11. Tenne see (4-5, 1-4)Up next: vs. Kentucky, Saturday, Nov. 15The skinny: The Volunteers are hunting for a low-tier bowl at this point in the season, as are the Wildcats. The loser is far more likely to stay home for bowl season.12. South Carolina (4-5, 2-5)Up next: at Florida, Saturday, Nov. 15The skinny: Offensively, the Gamecocks should be higher on this list, but a just-plain-awful defense has burned them time and again.13. Arkansas (4-5, 0-5)Up next: vs. LSU, Saturday, Nov. 15The skinny: Just the kind of game Bret Bielema likes: A line-of-scrimmage battle that will be won or lost up front. Is this Arkansas' day to finally win an SEC game under its second-year coach?14. Vanderbilt (3-7, 0-6)Up next: at Mi si sippi State, Saturday, Nov. 22The skinny: Vanderbilt is looking at an eight-lo s season at a minimum, and hasn't shown many signs of improvement.*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter *. Keith Hernandez Jersey