Brain Droppings...We Don't Need No Stinkin' Badgers

The SEC East officially became a crapshoot over the weekend. Missouri toppled UGA, the Gators absorbed their first SEC loss at the hands of LSU, and Carolina returned to form against the Piggies. I honestly can't tell you who I think will win it. UGA still has a very good shot but their defense has to improve (more on that in a minute). Missouri controls its own destiny but lost its starting QB for the regular season in their victory. Florida still controls its own destiny but their offense is very pedestrian against good teams. Then there's the Ol' Ball Coach. They still need to win out and hope UGA loses again, but that's very possible. This is going to be an interesting finish...

1) DEFENSE, we don't need no stinkin' defense - Everyone looks at UGA's loss to Missouri at home on Saturday and immediately laments the fact that they were so injured on offense. Let's be real here for a second. UGA's defense is giving up 33 points a game. Wait, let me take out special teams and defensive TDs. UGA's defense is giving up 29 points a game. Hold on, let me take out that game against North Texas. UGA's defense is giving up 33 points a game against meaningful competition. That's not going to get it done. Everyone anticipated a young UGA defense getting better as the season progressed. It hasn't and it was only a matter of time until Aaron Murray couldn't do it all by himself. Brace yourself Dawg fan's. This season could end up far bumpier than you ever thought after wins against two top 10 teams. Still, most Dawg fans would rather blame Mike Bobo for the team's shortcomings. Beware, it's only a matter of time until Coach Bobo leaves for a head coaching job and you're going to be stuck with Todd Grantham, whose defense has gotten worse with better talent.

2) Starting QBs, we don't need no starting QB's - I told everyone to hold out on Tyler Murphy until they played a good defense. Sure, he looked better than Jeff Driskell when Florida feasted on awful Tennessee, Kentucky, and Arkansas, but could he sustain his success against a good defense. The answer is no. Florida managed a measly 6 points against LSU this weekend. Now, there's a young defense that is improving. Missouri will be no cake walk for the Gators. I was really impressed with their defensive front. They were able to pressure Aaron Murray all day. I wouldn't expect any different this weekend. Of course, Missouri will be starting their back-up QB against a nasty Gators defense. He was able to get the job done in the 4th quarter against a bad UGA defense but they scored on a double pass from a wide receiver and a run after a long floater down the sideline. He won't be so lucky against Muschamp's crew.

3) Badgers, we don't need no...well, you know - I had a sneaking suspicion that Northwestern was going to drop the ball against Wisconsin this weekend and then I didn't pick it because I was trying to catch ol' McFather in the pick 'ems contest. Lesson learned. Going with my gut now on.

4) Take Me to Your Fried Snickers - At the Texas State Fair this weekend, Mack Brown showed ol' "Big Game" Bob Stoops that he still had a little left up his sleeve. I don't know if he'll save his job but he definitely needed a win in the Red River Shootout. However, with the season ending against Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and Baylor, I just don't think they'll win the Big 12. And what about Oklahoma? When was the last time they won a big game? Nevermind that, when was the last time they won a decently sized game? Notre Dame doesn't count. They're starting to remind me of UGA a couple of years ago.

5) Looking Ahead on the Left Coast - Oregon looks as good as ever without Chip Kelly. And though they lost, I am still very interested to see how Stanford will fare the rest of the season. Stanford is the only team Oregon will play that shares a style with Alabama. I hear that Oregon students are wearing, "We Want Bama" shirts around campus. The interesting thing is that I am not sure they'll see Bama in the National Championship game if they survive the UCLA/Stanford/PAC-12 gauntlet. LSU may very well be the best team in SEC and I think that may even be a more intriguing match up. Regardless, there are some big games left both out west and here in the east. It's going to be a great finish as usual.

SEC Power Rankings

14) Kentucky - you know the drill

13) Arkansas - Many people were saying Carolina should have been on upset alert this weekend against the Hogs. Oops. Wish UGA would have gotten that memo too.

12) Mississippi State - this team is boring so I'm just not going to say anything

11) Tennessee - the gauntlet continues against Carolina this weekend

10) Vanderbilt - Bye week and could be catching UGA at the right time. Could make a move this week

9) Ole Miss - Heartbreaking loss in a great game against A&M but at least they're better than Texas

8) Florida - Real defense means that Florida's offense goes back into hiding

7) Auburn - Big test against A&M this weekend on a national stage. Let's see if Gus Malzahn's offense can keep up

6) UGA - Heartbreaking upset to Mizzou, injuries abound. Yet, they still could easily go to Atlanta in December. Don't give up yet Dawg fans

5) Mizzou - Back up QB for the rest of the year means their hold on this spot is tenuous

4) South Carolina - looked how they were supposed to look for the first time all year on Saturday

3) Texas A&M - impressive win against the Rebels on the road Saturday night. Their defense is still bad though

2) LSU - Byes prior to Bama and A&M. This team could be the best in the SEC

1) Alabama - To be the best, you have to be the best. So they stay #1