Who wins the SEC West?

The SEC West may end up being one of the most competitive divisions in college football in 2009. In the division there are three possible BCS teams with Ole Miss, LSU, and Alabama. The Eastern division is virtually a lock for Florida with Tennessee being in a rebuilding year, and Georgia having lost Matt Stafford and Knowshon Moreno to the NFL.

Ole Miss will play a factor, but I think it really comes down to LSU and Alabama. Whoever wins the November 7th showdown in Tuscaloosa is likely to win the division and face Florida on December 5th in the Georgia Dome for the SEC title.

Alabama pulled out a hard fought overtime victory in Death Valley in 2008 in what was the deciding factor as to who played Florida in the SEC Championship game. In what turned out to be one of the most exciting games of 2008, LSU QB Jarrett Lee went 13-34 and threw four interceptions. Even with the poor QB play, the Tigers were still able to block a last second Alabama field goal try to force the game into overtime; but were defeated when Alabama QB John Parker Wilson plunged in for a 1-yard touchdown run on the first possesion of overtime.

I don't see how LSU won't win this division this year. In a down 2008 year, the Tigers still amassed an 8-5 overall record and took the No. 1 team in the nation, Alabama, to overtime. Sophomore QB Jordan Jefferson has more athletic ability than Jarrett Lee and has the ability to take care of the ball better. Also, senior tailback Charles Scott should provide a boost for the LSU rushing attack and provide a more balanced attack. LSU also has 46 returning lettermen and senior Brandon LaFell is a sure bet at Wide Receiver.

SEC schedules are never nice, and neither is this one, the schedule is the one flaw in LSU that I see, even though they can't help it. They get Florida at home, but must go on the road to Tuscaloosa for a showdown with Alabama, between the hedges at Georgia, and will face a much improved Ole Miss team on the road.

Alabama Meanwhile, lost QB John Parker Wilson and could face a possible first-week loss against the ACC Champion Virginia Tech Hokies. I just like the explosiveness of LSU on offense and their raw power on defense. Alabama lacks offensive explosion, lost tackle Andre Smith, and could have problems after losing 11 lettermen including defensive star Rashad Johnson.

I like for it to be closely contested but in the end, I think LSU will come out on top and play Florida for the SEC title in Atlanta