SEC this week: Sooners look to stay hot vs. Hardy and Mizzou; Vandy fights to stay in playoff mix

United States. Oklahoma (8-2, 4-2) hosts Missouri (7-3, 3-3) Saturday at noon ET in the SEC marquee, and Vanderbilt (8-2, 4-2) visits Kentucky (5-5, 2-5) in a critical game for CFP positioning. Polls influence selection committee decisions. Oklahoma is buoyed by an upset win over Alabama and defensive metrics; Missouri counters after a 49-27 victory over Mississippi State led by Ahmad Hardy's 300 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Ole Miss's Kewan Lacy rushed 224 yards with three scores in a recent win over Florida. Rankings and playoff prospects hinge on Saturday's outcomes. Based on 8 articles reviewed and supporting research.