I'm back...and just time for week 5.

Week 4 observations

Well, it’s been four weeks the SEC season got underway. Everyone now has at least one conference game under their belts. So now it’s time to look at where we stand.

SEC East

Georgia: So far, the Bulldogs have done everything that I predicted they would, albeit in a less than stellar performance. Struggles against South Carolina and huge wins against weak non-conference (or in some cases, non-D-1A teams) haven’t impressed the voters. If the Bullies still want to play for a BCS National Championship, they must continue to win. And in a few of those cases, they may need to win big.
Key Game(s) remaining: Tennessee, Florida

Florida: The Gators are looking like title contenders once again. And they are doing so with less than stellar performances out of their Superman backfield (under the alias of Tim Tebow). But a 30-6 over a less than qualified Tennessee isn’t a great win over Georgia. And the Gators still have that one on the schedule.
Key Game(s) remaining: Georgia

South Carolina: In case you haven’t figured out, I’m writing this with the teams in the order in which I had them to start the season. That said, I think my faith in the Ole Ball Coach may have been a little too much. A decision in the summer not to go with Chris Smelley or Stephen Garcia hasn’t exactly worked out, and now it looks like the Gamecocks may just be playing for a winning season, rather than an Eastern Division title.
Key Game(s) remaining: the rest of the season

Tennessee: The Phillip Fulmer Years: Life without David Cutcliffe, Vol. 2 looks more and more like the actual last chapter of the ole Phil’s tenure in the Volunteer state. Yes, he won a national title in 1998…but this is 2008…and a “What have you done for me lately conference. And from the looks of it, he ain’t gonna do too much unless they drastically improve on offense.
Key Game(s) remaining: the rest of the season (if they want to go to the postseason)

Kentucky: The Wildcats don’t have the magic QB this season as compared to last year. But with their defense playing the way they are, they don’t really need it.
Key Game(s) remaining: Florida, Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt: The Commodores are 4-0 for the second time in four years, but only for the third time in over 20 years. Could this be the year that Bobby Johnson and the Dores finally advance to the postseason? History says no (but my heart/guilty desires say yes…just so I can go and say I went to a bowl game with Vanderbilt in it.)
Key Game(s) remaining: the rest of the season (sound familiar?)


SEC West

Auburn: The offense continues to struggle adjusting to the new spread. But that was to be expected with personal designed more for a pro-style playbook. The Tigers must now take a wait and see approach with the West after a heart-breaking loss to LSU. The defense has played to championship-level status, and if one slipup allows Tommy’s Tigers back into the hunt, watch out.
Key Game(s) remaining: Alabama

LSU: I may have been wrong about the “Mad Hatter.” The Bayou Bengals are playing on a National Championship level. If they continue this trend, watch out. And they had better continue this trend, because something tells me the Tigers of Auburn are pissed and ready to pounce at a moments notice.
Key Game(s) remaining: Alabama (against the former LSU rent-a-coach)

Alabama: The good news for Alabama fans: The Crimson Tide is back. The bad news: they haven’t played anybody yet. And trust me, a win over that Arkansas team isn’t that impressive and not enough to hang a season of victory over. (unless you’re Arkansas State, maybe).
Key Game(s) remaining: LSU, Auburn

Ole Miss: Well, the good news is that the Rebels are showing marked improvement under new head coach Houston Nutt. The bad news is that the season is far from over….with a lot of good teams remaining. Can the Rebels rebound after a tough loss against Vanderbilt? Only time will tell.
Key Game(s) remaining: the rest of the season

Mississippi State: “Snap back to reality. Oh, there goes gravity.” Enimem. So much for that Western Division title. It’s back to reality for the Bulldogs.
Key Game(s) remaining: Alabama, LSU

Arkansas: The Hogs are living up to my expectations. Have fun in Fayetteville, Bobby. Looks like Christmas vacation is coming a bit earlier this year for ya.
Key Game(s) remaining: Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss