ATHENS — The Georgia showdown at LSU is still a week away, but there are already rumblings that the Bayou Bengals should be ranked ahead of the Bulldogs.

If LSU tops Florida today, the noise could grow louder and maybe even become a reality if No. 2-ranked Georgia doesn’t score an impressive win against Vanderbilt in tonight’s 7:30 p.m. game at Sanford Stadium (TV: SEC Network, Radio: WSB 750AM, 95.5 FM).

A Saturday Down South story this week pointed out how No. 5-ranked LSU has climbed further in the polls than any team this season, opening at No. 25.

The Tigers opened the season beating a Mark Richt-coached Miami team that was ranked No. 8 at the time, 33-17, and then followed up this with with a win over then-No. 7 Auburn, 22-21.

It’s the only losses the Hurricanes and Auburn Tigers have suffered this season.

Georgia’s case?

The Bulldogs beat then-No. 24 South Carolina, 41-17, in Columbia, and removed Missouri from the ranks of the unbeaten a couple of weeks ago, 43-29.

Georgia and LSU will settle the debate next Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in historic Tiger Stadium in a nationally televised CBS game.

LSU vs.Georgia football schedule/results

Week One

LSU beat then-No. 8 Miami, 33-17

Georgia beat Austin Peay, 45-0

Week Two

LSU beat SE Louisiana, 31-0

Georgia beat then-No. 24 South Carolina, 41-17

Week Three

LSU beat then-No. 7 Auburn, 22-21

Georgia beat Middle Tennessee, 49-7

Week Four

LSU beat Louisiana Tech, 38-21

Georgia beat Missouri, 43-29

Week Five

LSU beat Ole Miss, 45-16

Georgia beat Tennessee, 38-12

Week Six

LSU at No. 22 Florida, 3:30 p.m.

Georgia vs. Vanderbilt, 7:30 p.m.