You're exactly right on both the importance of the Cincy-UT game and the Auburn-MSU game. Each game is a matchup of teams both trying to walk through the front door of a successful season at the same time. The ones who fail to squeeze through that door now are going to have to hope to break a window later.
What do you think about Mississippi State? Do you think they're really getting to the point where they could challenge the top teams? I don't think they have that kind of talent.
I would love to see UT play UVa in BB. I'm heading up to UVa in Oct for a weekend to watch practices. Classy staff.