Alabama is really good this year; imagine that. In a year that has the same story as normal in SEC West, the best the other teams can realistically do is fight for a second-place finish and a potential Sugar Bowl appearance. This year may be a little different though. More than just the normal two teams, LSU and Auburn, have a shot at second place. Both Mississippi State and Texas A&M could get into the mix as well.
LSU
SEC Record: 2-1 (Wins over Auburn and Florida; Lost to Miss St)
Remaining SEC Schedule: at Ole Miss, at Alabama, vs Arkansas, at Tennessee, vs Texas A&M
LSU looked like a chicken with it’s head cut off heading into their game against Florida, but managed to pull out a squeaker against the Gators, and then followed it up by rallying past Auburn this weekend. LSU now has life, and they are in prime position to make some noise. The two main matchups that will determine their season is their road match up against the juggernaut team that is Alabama, and their yearly finale against Texas A&M, which is at home this year.
The key to this team having a chance is what it has been the last few weeks, key plays from both sides of the ball and a bit of luck. Generally, I am never on the hype train for LSU, as it mostly ends in disappointment, which is where it seemed to be heading just a few weeks ago. However, they seem to be on the right track and are picking up speed.
Players to watch: Derrius Guice/Darrel Williams and Arden Key
Auburn
SEC Record: 3-1 (Wins over Mizzou, Miss St, and Ole Miss; Lost to LSU)
Remaining SEC Schedule: at Arkansas, at Texas A&M, vs Georgia, vs Alabama
Auburn’s status changes more than a teenagers mood. At the beginning of the season they seemed to be poised to be a College Football Playoff contender, then they had that awful showing against Clemson and struggled mightily the next week against Mercer. They then kicked the living snot out of Missouri, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss. They were beginning to look like a playoff contender again before blowing a 20-0 lead to LSU. No one has any clue how to view this team anymore.
Of the teams I am discussing, this team has the toughest road ahead. The remaining conference schedule is filled with teams who have the ability to find themselves in the end zone quite often. They also have to play elite defenses like Alabama and Georgia, who could put a halt to the offense that seems to be getting their feet under them. This thing could get ugly real quickly for Auburn. It can also show gritty this team is and if they can find their way through this schedule, they will have a very impressive resume for a two-loss team. Nonetheless, by the end of the season we will know if Auburn is legitimately good or not.
Players to watch: Kerryon Johnson and Jeff Holland
Texas A&M
SEC Record: 3-1 (Wins over Florida, Arkansas, and South Carolina; Lost to Alabama)
Remaining SEC Schedule: vs Miss St, vs Auburn, at Ole Miss, at LSU
Here is another team that seemed to be dead and buried early on in the season. They blew a 44-10 lead to UCLA and played poorly against Nicholls State and Louisiana Lafayette, yet they are still alive in the West. After already playing Alabama, they have the easiest remaining conference schedule by default. They get two of the teams on this list at home–Miss St and Auburn–and pretty much a tune up game against Ole Miss, before the finale against LSU in Death Valley.
This team doesn’t do anything in particular that’s great. Offensively, they are limited by the true-freshman quarterback Kellen Mond, but he has done what was asked of him. If he and the rest of the Aggie offense can continue to make those timely plays, they should be alright. Defensively, they seem to have found their footing, which is lead by a pass rush that is very effective and their ability to create turnovers. If this team keeps it close till the fourth quarter, you could be in trouble.
Players to watch: Kellen Mond and Armani Watts
Mississippi State
SEC Record: 1-2 (Win over LSU; Losses to Georgia and Auburn)
Remaining SEC Schedule: vs Kentucky, at Texas A&M, vs Alabama, at Arkansas, vs Ole Miss
The team that seems less likely to run the table, but still has a realistic chance, is the Mississippi State Bulldogs. They have two tough matchups left, playing at Texas A&M and home against Alabama. The Bulldogs were able to catch lightning in a bottle against LSU, but quickly lost it. They will need to regain some of that against Kentucky, which could set them up for their future games.
The only reason why I am giving Mississippi State even a little bit of a chance is because of Dan Mullen. He is the second best coach in the SEC and it will fall mainly on him to get this team who seems to be out-gunned and out-manned into a position for mediocre rise. It is up to him to get Nick Fitzgerald to start playing more consistent as a passer. They have a tough road ahead, but Mullen is the only coach on this list who can get them there.
Players to watch: Nick Fitzgerald and Jeffery Simmons
Conclusion
In closing, there is virtually no chance for any of these teams to surpass Alabama. It would require them to actually beat Alabama–or if you are Texas A&M and Mississippi State, having the Tide lose multiple conference games. I personally don’t seeing that happen. however, that doesn’t mean that there is nothing to play for. As we all know, the second highest ranked SEC team gets into the Sugar Bowl, which is a great milestones for most programs. Assuming that Georgia ends up slipping a few times, there is a very good chance that one of these four teams get into that Sugar Bowl. There is plenty of football left to be played, so it’ll be interesting to see which team steps up.