SEC WEST
This one is still way too close to call. Arkansas and Mississippi State have the upper hand right now, but no one is out of the race really, except Auburn. LSU has lost to two of the best teams in the East, but they can take control by sweeping the West - probably a hard challenge. MSU has the easiest road by not having to play Fla, Ga or Tenn and by having already gotten by Auburn. Arkansas must beat MSU to win the division and really needs to avoid losing to anyone except Tennessee, since the Vols will probably take that one. Ole Miss and Alabama are in about the same position - in fact they tied this weekend in regulation. They are hoping to have 6 or 7 wins and reach a bowl game. Auburn is simply trying not to be totally embarassed.
Mississippi State - A win against the Hogs will probably clinch the Division title and ABC has a fit by being made to televise one of the poorest TV audience draws in the conference.
Arkansas - the Nutt house is in good order and if the 4 key players - Strorner, Hill, Lucas and Chukwuma stay healthy they will be in position to win.
LSU - the Tigers have been disappointing failing to sweep the conference, but they still have good players and a win over the two leaders will propel them into the division title given they do not stumble again.
Alabama- they look to be recovering form the Arkansas debacle. Andrew Zow looks good at QB and they will probably make it to a bowl game if they defeat Auburn.
Ole Miss - they only need 2 more wins to go bowling - should happen. Tuberville is still the darling of the SEC coaches despite mo titles.
Auburn - it's going to be a long year. La Tech and Central Florida are not the easiest non-conference foes in the world, however the AU defense may play well enough to win those two and maybe one more.
SEC EAST
This conference may have been decided this weekend when Georgia fell to Tennessee who also took care of Florida. Barring a couple of upsets, Tennessee should repeat in the East. Florida and Georgia still play and the loser will have at least 2 losses in the conference with the winner finishing second and the loser finishing third. Kentucky can score points but it has not shown it can beat the SEC's upper tier, they will finish fourth. South Carolina and Vanderbilt will play to decide fourth and fifth place.
Tennessee - Tee Martin has played well enough to win, but not to impress. Jamal Lewis carried the load until his injury. The rest of the team seems good enough to fill in the gaps.
Florida - QB situation was decided by an injury rather than performance. Team has appeared sloppy at times, consider this a "down" year for Spurrier with only 9 or 10 wins.
Georgia - Carter and Bailey have been imnpressive despite their youth. May be poised to win the East in a year or two.
Kentucky - Tim Couch is the SEC's leading Heisman candidate, he certainly turns Kentucky from an also-ran to a contender, but not for anything but a minor bowl.
South Carolina - Brad Scott knows he is in trouble. His Gamecocks have played poorly most of the season. Look for a big shake up in that program soon, sooner if they lose to Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt - is it too late to join the MAC or Conference USA? They might not win there either. This program is in shambles and it's not the coaches fault.
Destiny: Atlanta 12/05/98
Based on team schedule it looks like a Mississippi State vs. Tennessee game for the rights to an alliance bowl bid. The Vols should repeat as SEC champions even without Peyton Manning.
Bowling for Dollars
Some of these choices could be argued based on record. However. bowls are starting to chose teams that can derive local fans and maximize TV ratings wherever possible.
Alliance - Tennessee
Citrus - Miss State
Cotton - Arkansas
Outback - Florida
Peach - Georgia
Independence - LSU
Music City - Kentucky or Alabama