Nov 2, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) rushes in the first quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Separation Saturday arrived in the SEC.

Time is up for two of these four top 16 teams in head-to-head clashes, with Georgia meeting injury-ravaged Ole Miss and Alabama in Baton Rouge for a showdown with LSU.

We’re taking a look at these like race-deciding games and a few more in our Saturday best bets.

Georgia (-2.5) at Ole Miss, 3:30 p.m. ET, (-115 at DraftKings)

If you watched Florida strike fear in the Bulldogs and paid too close attention in the first half of Georgia at Alabama, we understand your trepidation in putting your toes in the water on this one.

The Bulldogs (7-1, 5-1 SEC) are looking to strengthen their bid for a fourth straight conference championship game appearance and are in the top three of the initial CFP rankings for the fourth year in a row. A newer guest to the party, Ole Miss (7-2, 3-2) has appeared in four consecutive initial CFP rankings as well. But finishing in the SEC with a strong November is a steep climb.

And the timing is not good for the Rebels because of injuries.

Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart knows that all too well. He was mortal in the Ole Miss loss at Georgia last season.

Dart is first in the nation with 3,210 passing yards and a 192.4 passing efficiency rating. He has 21 touchdowns to just three interceptions. He’s eager to get another shot at Georgia after the 52-17 loss to the Bulldogs last season. The Rebels were 8-1 going into that game.

But he’s not equipped to deal with the Georgia defense that dominated at Texas and shows well on the road.

Bet: Georgia -3 (-115 DraftKings)

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Alabama (-3) at LSU, 7:30 p.m. ET

Road favorites at Death Valley?

Two-loss Alabama has everything on the line on Saturday night at two-loss LSU in what boils down to an elimination game for the 12-team CFP.

A bye week afforded these teams time to get focused on a game that has sent the winner to the SEC title game six consecutive seasons.

Alabama looked like a contender in its last game before the bye week, smacking Missouri 34-0 on the same Saturday when LSU lost 38-23 to Texas A&M.

Can the Crimson Tide put together another complete game?

We see signs that it’s possible, but there’s greater confidence in another trend for the Tide. Their high-energy, deep-focus starts in SEC games.

They raced out in front of Georgia in dominant fashion and last time out manhandled Missouri with a fast start that left the Tigers gasping.

Bet: Alabama 1Q (-102, BetMGM)

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Michigan at Indiana (-14), 3:30 p.m. ET

Indiana (9-0, 6-0 Big Ten) a two-touchdown favorite over defending national champion and unranked Michigan (5-4, 3-3)?

It’s a pinch-me moment for the Hoosiers, who remain on a mission to prove they are what their record indicates: a Big Ten and, gasp, national championship contender.

The Hoosiers are No. 8 in the first CFP rankings that were unveiled on Tuesday, but IU isn’t exactly known for playing in big games in November. At 9-0 for the first time in program history and seeking its first 10-win season, will also be looking for just its second victory over Michigan since 1987; the other came during the COVID-shortened 2020 season (38-21 in Bloomington).

This isn’t the week Indiana fumbles.

Indiana trailed for the first time all season when the Spartans jumped out to a 10-0 lead, and they didn’t just get off the mat. The Hoosiers responded by scoring 47 answered points.

Kurtis Rourke, who missed the win over Washington the previous week with a right thumb injury but, returned to throw for 263 yards and four touchdowns last week, when Michigan was ripped for 470 total yards in a home loss to Oregon.

We’re going with performance props to avoid a late score spoiler from Michigan.

Bet: Anytime TD Justice Ellison (IND), Over 1.5 passing TDs Kurtis Rourke (IND), single-game parlay +159 (FanDuel)