Above: Alabama’s ArDarius Stewart elevates for a catch against Auburn in the Iron Bowl. (Kent Gidley/UA Athletics)

No. 2 Alabama thumped Auburn 29-13 in the Iron Bowl last Saturday and stamped its ticket for the Georgia Dome. Florida, the SEC East’s top team, looked pedestrian at best in falling 27-2 to Florida State later that day.

But the reported move of Georgia to replace fired head coach Mark Richt with Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart has amped up the buzz surrounding this contest.

Alabama running back Derrick Henry looked Heisman-esque against Auburn. (Robert Sutton/UA Athletics)

If the reports are true, would Smart leave immediately or coach the Crimson Tide through the postseason? And whenever he goes, which of his fellow Tide assistants will go with him?

Nick Saban refused to be pulled into the speculation, directing reporters’ questions Wednesday to the soft drink bottle he held. AL.com cited Alabama radio game analyst Phil Savage, noting what he said during an interview on SiriusXM radio Thursday morning. Savage was said to have spoken with three people close to Alabama’s program Wednesday.

“All indicated that Kirby Smart will stay on with Alabama through the bowl game/playoff,” Savage told the SiriusXM listeners. “I think that all depends on if Alabama wins on Saturday. I think if they were to lose and if they were just going to a bowl game that changes the picture.”

Alabama head coach Nick Saban is trying to avoid talk about assistant coaches heading into the SEC Championship. (Robert Sutton/UA Athletics)

As for Saturday’s game at 3 p.m., Florida brings a solid defense to the title game. That defense will certainly be tested trying to slow Alabama Heisman hopeful Derrick Henry.

The Gators’ hopes of success hang on their offense being able to sustain drives against the vaunted Alabama defense. Might this game be more of a blowout than the Iron Bowl?

Here’s the rest of this week’s slate. All games are Saturday.

OTHER STATE COLLEGES

Chattanooga at Jacksonville State: It will be a little like old times for the Gamecocks at 1 p.m. After opening their regular season with a 23-21 win against the Mocs, Jacksonville State again hosts them as it begins its bid for an FCS national championship. The consensus No. 1 certainly won’t come into its home stadium overconfident, not after needing a late field goal to knock off Chattanooga in the season-opener.

Tuskegee at West Georgia: After knocking off North Alabama 35-31 last week, the Golden Tigers (10-2) head to Carrollton, Ga., for an 11 a.m. kickoff in the Division II quarterfinals. Their foe is the top-seeded 11-1 Wolves.

Appalachian State at South Alabama: The Jaguars want to join the postseason party but they’ll have to beat the Mountaineers to do it. They will try for the third week in a row to get their sixth win this season to clinch eligibility to participate in a bowl. The match-up will kick off at 6:30 p.m. and be broadcast across the country on ESPN3.

Troy at UL Lafayette: The Trojans close their season at 4 p.m. on ESPN3. Troy (3-8, 2-5 Sun Belt) will try to keep from concluding with a three-game losing streak while the Ragin’ Cajuns (4-7, 3-4) have lost three in a row. The hosts have won four straight in the series; Troy won seven of the prior eight contests.