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SEC Week 7 picks: Can Butch Jones turn things around at Tennessee?

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Herbstreit: Auburn has to be careful against LSU (1:27)

Kirk Herbstreit predicts red-hot Auburn's matchup against a confident LSU could be the game of the week. (1:27)

To get you ready for this Saturday's action, ESPN reporters Sam Khan Jr. and Alex Scarborough give their picks and analysis of Week 7 in the SEC. Visit our college football PickCenter page for additional information on these games and many more.

Khan: All right, Alex, we're all the way into Week 7 now, just about at the halfway point. Hard to believe we're already that deep into the season. We've learned a lot about the SEC, but there's still a lot we have yet to discover.

You still have the lead here with both of us going 5-1 last week (you're 46-11 to my 43-14, so I have some work to do to catch up).

Lots of important SEC games on the slate, but let's start with the nonconference one. Any chance BYU upsets Mississippi State? I don't see it. I think the Bulldogs prevail.

Scarborough: I'm with you. While I'm all-in on BYU's dancing mascot, the Cougars are just not playing good football right now. I think we see quarterback Nick Fitzgerald get back on track with 100-plus rushing yards and Mississippi State wins big.

Next game: Vanderbilt at Ole Miss. What do you think? Can the Rebs get off the mat?

At last check, Ole Miss is actually giving 3.5 points at home. And this is the same Ole Miss that gave up a combined 110 points to Alabama and Auburn the past two weeks.

Khan: This one is really interesting. Both of these teams have lost three straight, but Vandy at least has a win of consequence, against Kansas State a few weeks ago. Ole Miss doesn't really have a quality win to this point. That said, each team's last win was a long time ago.

I might regret this, but I'm going to go with the Commodores. I think coach Derek Mason gets his team and his defense back on track.

Scarborough: I hate going against Vegas, but I'm with you. I don't think Ole Miss will be able to keep the pressure off quarterback Shea Patterson and, in turn, Vandy QB Kyle Shurmur and running back Ralph Webb have a field day. I just don't have any faith in that Ole Miss defense.

Khan: Georgia-Missouri. We know how that one's going to go, don't we?

Scarborough: Yes we do. Georgia coach Kirby Smart has that team way too tightly wound to let a game like this slip away, especially at home. The Bulldogs' pass rush is going to give Missouri quarterback Drew Lock fits and Georgia's Nick Chubb is going to run for at least two touchdowns. The line is Georgia minus-30.5 and I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Dawgs cover.

Khan: I will say that I was encouraged by the Tigers' fight last week against Kentucky. But Georgia will cruise here.

Similar situation in Tuscaloosa. Arkansas looks like a mess and, lucky Razorbacks, they get the No. 1 team in America. Alabama rolls to 7-0 here.

Scarborough: It's probably best for Arkansas if they don't roll quarterback Austin Allen out there. He’d get crushed. Alabama should win handily.

How do you see South Carolina-Tennessee playing out? Is this coach Butch Jones' last stand?

Khan: Well, the Volunteers are making a quarterback change, so that's intriguing. I'm curious to see if Jarrett Guarantano gives them a jolt. That said, the Vols haven't given me reason to trust them, so I gotta go with the Gamecocks.

Scarborough: If this game was in South Carolina, I'd be right there with you. But I think with the bye week and knowing everything that's on the line for Jones -- I do think this is a lose-and-you're-gone game -- the Vols find a way to pull it out late. It won't be pretty, but it will buy that staff another week.

Khan: Interesting. I like the bold pick.

Texas A&M travels to Florida. The Aggies acquitted themselves well against Alabama, while the Gators lost at home to LSU. Kevin Sumlin's teams have traditionally played well on the road, so I'll take the Aggies here.

Scarborough: I'm with you, and not just because of those hideous uniforms the Gators will be wearing. Seriously, what were they thinking? Nonetheless, I think Florida's offense is in such bad shape that even Texas A&M will be able to stop the Gators. Aggies quarterback Kellen Mond will do just enough running the football to pull away in the second half.

Auburn at LSU. I'm on the fence for this one. What do you think?

Khan: LSU did what I thought it would last week and man, did the Tigers need that win. That said, Auburn has the better quarterback and I'm more confident in its defensive front. I think it'll be a close game, but Auburn wins on the road.

Scarborough: Can I push on this? Because I really want to. I think if LSU's front seven plays well, it changes everything in terms of negating the running game and putting the pressure on Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham, who hasn't really felt heat in weeks. That said, I have no faith in LSU's offense, and we all know how good Auburn's defense can be. If this were a night game I might feel differently, but give me Auburn by a field goal.