A look at...The SEC West

Ah yes, the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference. Often viewed as the ugly sister of the more glamorous Eastern division. Mostly due to its not being the home of Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia. But hey, we've got Alabama, LSU, and Auburn so screw off Eastern Division! So, how do I feel the West is gonna shake down this year? Probably something like this:

1)AUBURN - Big shocker here. Preseason Top 10 squad. Eight home games. Horrible, difficult road trip is pretty much non-existent with the exception of Alabama. Everyone has to come to Jordan Hare this year. Even you, Buffalo. While I can't see Auburn making a 2nd undefeated run through the SEC in three years, it's certainly possible. I can't help but feel someone will trip them up. Final record: 11-1 (7-1)

2)LSU - Another team with Top 10 expectations and the talent to match. However, the schedule is not nearly as kind as it is to some other schools. The four road trips LSU takes in Conference play, none of them are ones where LSU will likely be a huge favorite, if a favorite at all. Road trips to Auburn, Florida, Tennessee, and Arkansas do not usually create conference champions. If they do survive that slate and go better than 2-2, they'll probably be enjoying a lovely BCS vacation. Final record: 10-2 (6-2)

2)Arkansas - Yes, call me a homer all you want. It's fine with me. Things are lined up very nicely for the Hogs this year. Vandy, Auburn, South Carolina, and Mississippi State are the road games. Everyone else comes to Fayetteville, with the exception of LSU whom Arkansas plays in Little Rock. Nutt has a chance to have a special team with the talent he returns. Darren McFadden is back in pads and if Arkansas can find anything resembling a decent passing game with new offensive gurus Gus Malzahn and Alex Wood, they could very well be the surprise team of the SEC. I'm fairly sure Auburn knocks them off, but I feel good about their chances with their schedule. Final record: - 9-3 (6-2)

4) Alabama - Is Bama really back? I'm not sold on Mike Shula's boys just yet. They should have a solid defense, but what about the offense? No more Croyle and who knows with Prothro. Bama should be solid enough for a bowl, but I don't feel comfortable giving them much more than that. Not with road trips to Arkansas, Florida, Tennessee, and LSU. They should win all four non-conference games and split their conference record at the least. Final record: 8-4 (4-4)

5) Ole Miss - At the risk of offending The Orgeron, I just don't believe in Ole Miss. He has recruited excellently, and Brent Schaeffer should make a difference offensively. Patrick Willis is a stud linebacker and I would expect solid play from the D. But much like Alabama, they need to show an offense before we start handing them over victories. Five road games for the Rebels this year with trips to Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, Alabama, and LSU. Find a way to win 3 of those and The Orgeron probably has himself a bowl game and Oxford goes wild. I think they can win all four non-conference games, although I'm certainly not positive they win at Missouri, or even at home against Wake Forest just yet. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and assume Schaeffer gives their offense a spark and give them a very tentative final record of: 7-5 (3-5)

6) Mississippi State - What a mess of a team Sly Croom has down there. He deserves much better than this. Absolutely nothing stands out about them, no players of note, no Jerious Norwood anymore, what is there to live for in Starkville these days? I don't even feel good about picking a .500 out of conference record. Not with West Virginia coming to Starkville and a road trip to UAB. Jacksonville State should be a win and so should Tulane. No guarantees on three of those however. Hell, even with all four of those. I don't see them winning any of their conference road games, and I'm not even positive they'll pull off more than a win over Kentucky or South Carolina. Things are bleak there, but hopefully Croom will be given the chance to make a difference. Some people are expecting a potential breakout year. I'm not one of those people. Final record: 3-8 (1-7)