Every Wednesday we present “Across the SEC,” where we break down the biggest matchups of the previous week, preview the coming week’s slate, and talk about where things stand in the best conference in the land.
In this week’s edition, things are starting to take shape in the West and the East divisions after a hectic weekend in the conference and another huge slate coming up.
Starting in the SEC West, while there is still a lot of season left, the magnitude of the matchup between Texas A&M and Alabama is undeniable after LSU fell to Ole Miss last Saturday. The Tigers’ second loss not only likely knocked them out of CFP contention, but gave a victory to an Ole Miss team already with a head-to-head loss to Alabama.
It is often the case that head-to-head matchups are critical in deciding who makes it to Atlanta. So, with both Alabama and Texas A&M sitting at 4-1 and 2-0 in the conference, this game could go a long way toward deciding who wins the West.
A victory for the Aggies would without a doubt be the biggest of the Jimbo Fisher era, while an Alabama victory would be massive on the road for a team that is still being questioned. The winner will have the inside track to Atlanta.
Things are interesting in the SEC East, as well. Georgia nearly shook things up but were able to avoid a loss to Auburn. The Bulldogs host fellow undefeated counterparts Kentucky in Athens this week and, assuming Georgia wins, they all but lock up the East early.
Kentucky has a chance to force a seismic shift in the conference if they could pull the massive upset this week and put itself in prime position to play in the SEC Championship for the first time. Interestingly enough, Texas A&M has never played for an SEC Championship, either.
Tennessee, who many expected to finish second in the East, really hurt themselves by losing at Florida a couple of weeks ago. The Vols will be off this week before facing Texas A&M on Oct. 14.
While there is still much to be figured out, this week is going to make the picture in the SEC much clearer. It won’t be long before we have a pretty good idea who will be representing both divisions in Atlanta.
