The way things are going in college football this year, putting a team at the top of a set of rankings basically seals their fate as the next upset victim. Last weekend was no different as the #2 team in the SEC, South Carolina stunningly got knocked off at home by Vanderbilt. I think however, there should be some stability at the top as LSU is done with the difficult part of its schedule and shouldn't really have much trouble, outside of maybe Alabama, making it to Atlanta with only one loss.
Favorites
1. LSU (7-1, 4-1)
The Tigers were able to get through the tough part of their schedule (UF, @ UK, Auburn) only dropping one game and are now in position to not only win the SEC, but perhaps the national championship as well.
2. Florida (5-2, 3-2)
The east is a mess, with everybody having at least two losses and only Vandy having three. Despite this parity, there is a clear favorite as UF established themselves with a big win in Lexington.
Still Alive
3. Kentucky (6-2, 2-2)
A lot of things would need to break Kentucky's way to win the east, but there is little doubt in my mind they are the third or fourth best team in the SEC. Andre' Woodson is proving himself to be a Heisman contender with greatness every week.
4. Auburn (5-3, 3-2)
OK, so Auburn may have little to no shot to win the west and go to the SEC Championship game, but after beating Florida on the road and playing LSU tough in Baton Rouge, they are clearly a top 4 team in the SEC.
5. Alabama (6-2, 4-1)
After this weekends beat down of UT, Alabama has put itself in position to make things interesting in the west. Yes, their two toughest tests are still on the schedule, but they control their own destiny and Saban has an extra week to prepare for LSU, so you know he'll have something special lined up for them.
6. South Carolina (6-2, 3-2)
No, its not true losing at home to Vanderbilt automatically eliminates you from title contention. Despite this weekends loss, the Gamecocks control their own destiny and all of a sudden. that trip to Knoxville doesn't look so tough anymore.
7. Georgia (5-2, 3-2)
The Bulldogs are really not very good and have a very tough schedule, but if they can turn it around and win out they will likely represent the east in Atlanta.
Fighting for Bowl Eligibility
8. Arkansas (4-3, 1-3)
Arkansas has the worst SEC record of this next tier of teams, but they haven't been blown out and have blown somebody else out, which separates them from UT and Vandy.
9. Vanderbilt (4-3, 2-3)
The Commodores have a great chance to make a bowl for the first time in a quarter century, especially if they keep playing the way they have the past two weeks and like they played in early season losses to Alabama and Auburn.
10. Tennessee (4-3, 2-2)
I was completely wrong about UT, immediately after my entry about not counting them out, they get absolutely destroyed at Alabama. UT is lucky to have Louisiana Lafayette still on the schedule or six wins would be extremely difficult and even with the Ragin' Cajuns as an automatic W they may not get there.
Mississippi Schools
11. Mississippi St. (4-4, 1-3)
12. Mississippi (2-6, 0-5)
Whats the difference, they both stink, as once again the Egg Bowl will be a battle for last place.
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