Old SWC rivals Texas A&M-Arkansas game highlights SEC slate

Here are things to watch in the Southeastern Conference in Week 3:

GAME OF THE WEEK

No. 7 Texas A&M (3-0) plays No. 16 Arkansas (3-0) in Arlington, Texas. The matchup of former rivals in the Southwest Conference should go a long way into shaping the Southeastern Conference West Division in the league opener for both clubs. The Aggies have dominated the series with nine straight wins the past decade. They've won their past 11 games dating to last season and are seeking their first 4-0 start since 2016, when they won their first six games. It will be a step up in opponents for

BEST MATCHUP

LSU will look to show its back on track when it opens SEC play at Mississippi State. Mike Leach's team topped the Tigers, then defending national champs, in a 44-34 victory in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a year ago. LSU stumbled out of the gate this season with a loss at UCLA to fall out of the rankings. The Tigers have since their last two over McNeese State and Central Michigan by a combined score of 83-28. Quarterback Max Johnson threw for 372 yards and five touchdowns — just the fifth QB in program history to accomplish that. Mississippi State has allowed 243 yards a game through the air, 92nd in the country.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

with 19 sacks and 40 tackles for loss. Defensive end BJ Ojulari leads the team in both categories with 4 1/2 of each. ... Georgia's dominant defense finally gave up a touchdown this season after keeping Clemson and UAB out of the end zone. South Carolina broke the string with a fourth quarter TD in a 40-13 Bulldogs victory. ...

LONG SHOT

Southern Mississippi visits No. 1 Alabama as 44 1/2 point underdogs,

IMPACT PLAYERS

Arkansas' Bumper Pool and Jalen Catalon. Pool is the senior linebacker currently leading the SEC with 30 tackles, while teammate Catalon in the secondary is right behind with 28. It's no surprise that the Razorbacks are off to a 3-0 start and second in SEC pass defense. Arkansas will need both Pool and Catalon sharp going up against Texas A&M this weekend. The Aggies are averaging almost 253 yards a game passing.

___

This story has been corrected to show that Alabama faces Southern Mississippi, not South Alabama.

___

More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25. Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25