SEC West Power Rankings

The SEC West is without a doubt the toughest division in college football this season and ranks way up there on the list of All-Time Toughest Divisions.

6. Ole Miss- In Oxford they should substitute one of the "i"s in the school's name for an "e," The football program is more of a "Mess"issippi. The only thing for Rebel fans to look forward to is the unveiling of their new Black Bear mascot. One day, Mississippi will get away from the "get a transfer quarterback and use him for a year" plan (Jeremiah Masoli experiment). The Rebels will most likely go with transfer Barry Brunetti over junior college transfers Randall Mackey or Zack Strount. On the defensive side of the ball the Rebels have lost their leader, LB D.T. Shackelford to a torn ACL at a position where they already lacked depth.

Head coach Houston Nutt gave Mississippi two straight Cotton Bowls and started out to high. He will have one more year after 2011 to prove he is capable of coaching in the SEC.  I am scared for Rebel fans he will have some success and hold on to his job and earn an extension.

5. Auburn- The fall in expectations of the defending national champions is of epic proportion. With five returning starters (offense and defense) from last season, inexperience will plague the Tigers this season. The offense will be in the hands of QB Barrett Trotter, a huge step down in capabilities from the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton. Auburn will still move the ball thanks to retaining offensive coordinator Gus Malzhan with a huge contract.  They also have plenty of talent at running back with Michael Dyer and Onterio McCaleb. The defense lost the most dominant lineman in college football, DT Nick Fairley, to the NFL Draft and defensive coordinator Ted Roof will work hard to earn his money as well.

Auburn has a talented enough team to make to a second tier bowl game. The Tigers will be overlooked by some teams and create a few upsets.

4. Mississippi State- The boys in Starkville have their program going the opposite way from their rivals, "The School Up North." Bulldog fans could not be more thrilled with their head coach and the direction of the program, with 12 of the top 20 crowds at Davis Wade Stadium since coach Dan Mullen has arrived. RB Vic Ballard is an underrated back in the SEC. QB Chris Relf can lead Mullen's offense, and WR Chad Bumphis, when healthy can make big plays with his speed. The defense is losing its three starting linebackers from last season, but will have a talented secondary.
Enormous strides in a coach's second year are becoming the norm. The Bulldogs need to avoid a third year setback, which could be tough in the SEC West. State will make it will make it to a New Years Day bowl once again if they can win games they should win and sprinkle in an upset or two.

3. LSU- Before the QB Jordan Jefferson was arrested the Bayou Bengals were barely hanging on to the number two position in the power rankings, but trusting the offense to Jarett Lee makes LSU even more of a gamble. Athletic playmakers are abundant on both sides of the ball as the Tigers consistently recruit at the top of the game. Two former five star recruits at receiver should help Lee's transition into the starting role. On defense, there is no reason to see a drop-off from one of the deepest clubs in the league. Two huge sophomore DTs, a potential All-American at LB in Ryan Baker, and the best cornerback tandem in the NCAA will be a force.

The schedule is not nice to the Tigers as they go to Dallas to take on Oregon, travel to West Virginia and go through the SEC West gauntlet. No National Championship for this crew, but they will contend for the SEC title.

2. Arkansas- The loss of RB Knile Davis to a broken ankle is less of a blow to the Razorbacks than LSU losing Jefferson. With Davis gone, there are definite questions, but Arkansas has RBs Ronnie Wingo and Dennis Johnson which have had glimpses of hope. QB Tyler Wilson will try and replace Ryan Mallet and if he does the Hogs will continue to run one of the strongest offenses in the league. Questions arise on the offensive line. Luckily for Wilson, he has the nation's best receiving corps to throw to. On the opposite side of the ball, coach Bobby Petrino has his deepest and most talented lineup since he has been in Fayettville. Petrino's defensive line finally looks more like one that belongs in the SEC with a threat to quaterbacks in DE Jake Bequette. Three-time team leading tackler LB Jerry Frankin returns along with FS Tramain Thomas to a more experienced backfield.

A week four stop in Tuscaloosa could make or break the Razorbacks' chances at a date in Atlanta with an SEC East team.

1. Alabama- The best defense in the SEC returns eight starters and should be the best in the nation this season with a chance at four All-Americans. LB's Dont'a Hightower and Courtnet Upshaw are the best linebacking duo in the nation. On the line, Marcell Dareus is gone and will be missed, but what has become Saban's move the coach will just plug in another player and he will thrive. Look out for DT Josh Chapman. Athletes are everywhere as the secondary returns all four starter including the best safeties tandem in the nation, SS Mark Barron and FS Robert Lester. The starting quarterback battle between A.J. McCarron and Phillip Sims has not settled. The offense will lean heavily on RB Trent Richardson, who will finally get his time to be the star for the Crimson Tide after Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram graduated. Alabama will miss WR Julio Jones and his deep threat ability more than most fans may realize.
The Tide should have a shot at the SEC Championship, but Crimson Tide fans are not happy with just a league title. Watch out for Alabama to be in the mix to win the BCS National Championship and extend the SEC's streak to six straight championships.