Four weeks into the 2007 college football season, the Western division of the Southeastern Conference looks like a far different picture than what most preseason predictions painted.
Aside from No. 2 LSU, it seems the power structure in the division is changing in a surprising way because Arkansas and Auburn, this past year's second and third best teams in the West, have records of 1-2 and 2-2, respectively.
This leaves a void behind LSU for an unexpected team to be second best in the West.
It truly pains me to say this, but here it goes - Alabama, under new coach Nick Saban - is the second best team in the SEC West.
When Saban bailed on the Miami Dolphins for Alabama, I wasn't worried about the Crimson Tide because his success at LSU came in a state where there is no recruiting competition.
Saban now shares the state of Alabama with Auburn, whom I expected to keep the Tide in check for at least a few years, but Bama's 41-38 win against Arkansas suggests there is more to Saban than just talented recruits.
Auburn is already in the bottom half of the division because losing to Mississippi State, 19-14 is unacceptable.
The Tide are even with Mississippi State at 3-1. Although their records are the same the Crimson Tide seem like a much better team than the Bulldogs because, unlike State's one loss this season, Bama has not been blown out.
The Tide lost a close one to Georgia this past weekend, 26-23, in overtime for their first loss of the season.
My guess is Mississippi State couldn't hang with the Bulldogs like the Tide did.
This past weekend Ole Miss (1-3) nearly upset the No. 3 Florida Gators. But that same thing happened at LSU a season ago and the Rebels finished the year 4-8. The Rebels' losses to Missouri and Vanderbilt this season also put the them near the bottom of the SEC West pile.
Based on the first four weeks of the season, the power struggle in the division looks more like this: LSU, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Auburn and Ole Miss.
From a level-of-talent standard, the gap between LSU and No. 22 Alabama is much larger than 20 spots, but the Tigers still have to travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Nov 3.
Because of the rowdy environment, it will be the most difficult game for the Tigers outside of No. 3 Florida coming to Baton Rouge.
That being said the Tigers will beat Bama this year.
But isn't it surprising that Saban has the Tide at second best in the West in his first year in Tuscaloosa?
The outcome of the LSU vs. Alabama game could decide who represents the West in the SEC Championship.
If this possible scenario plays out, it would be years earlier than I expected it, and that makes me nervous.
Of course, every team is in control of their own destiny, and LSU still stands as favorite to win the SEC and possibly the national championship, but give Alabama second best - it doesn't come with a conference championship ring or a crystal trophy.
The Crimson Tide could be rolling sooner than LSU fans expected, and that - at the very least - is a bad sign.
---- Contact Brian Hill at bhill@lsureveille.com
Be the first to comment on this article!