Let's look at the biggest stories in SEC football for Week 7, The Third Saturday of October.

1 - Alabama toughness will be tested

Some might say Alabama proved its toughness in a close, low-scoring loss to Georgia. The Tide didn't get rolled. They were beaten, but very competitive. However, now Bama has to show a different kind of toughness: not letting one week's loss cause a letdown and a second defeat which would be season-crushing and a major source of concern for Kalen DeBoer. If Alabama wilts at Tennessee - and we all saw how mediocre Tennessee is this past weekend against Arkansas - it will be crisis time for the Tide.

2 - Josh Heupel under the gun

Vol fans are upset at Josh Heupel, and they have a right to be. Heupel did a great job building Tennessee into a playoff program, but he is not sustaining that standard. The Vols are fading and not retaining their place in the upper regions of the SEC. Heupel is, for some hard-to-explain reason, not getting the level of quarterback talent he needs to keep Tennessee on top in this conference. After a bad performance at Arkansas, Heupel and UT need a win (not just a close loss) against Alabama to truly feel good (or at least relieved) about the state of the program. A decisive loss will have the pitchforks out in Knoxville. It's a very important moment for Heupel and his program.

3 - Austin Simmons versus Trinidad Chambliss

Missouri-Ole Miss is a battle of quarterbacks who were teammates last year. It's a prove-it moment for Austin Simmons, and it's a must-win game for Trinidad Chambliss in a game with major College Football Playoff implications. The loser of this game will not have a successful season. The winner goes into late October with everything to play for. The coaches, Eli Drinkwitz and Pete Golding, have almost as much to prove as the quarterbacks. It's a spicy game with major stakes, a great SEC football showcase in mid-October.

4 - Rebound Saturday

Mississippi State, LSU, Florida, and Texas have all endured wrenching recent losses. Which teams will bounce back on Saturday? State visits LSU and the Gators go to Austin. The cauldron of SEC pressure never lets up.

5 - Oklahoma hour of need

Oklahoma's offense faces a beaten-up Kentucky defense at home. Can the Sooners finally do something on the offensive side of the ball? If not now, when?

Source: Yahoo Sports