SEC Football: Biggest Potential Trap Game for Every West Division Team

Yesterday, we took a look at the biggest potential trap game for every SEC East team. Today, we head out west to see where each team in the nation's top division could trip up in 2012.

Keep in mind, I consider a trap game any game in which a team—for whatever reason—may not be as prepared as it should be. Sometimes that's completely dictated by schedule, and other times there are other factors at play.

Here are the biggest potential trap games for the SEC West:

Alabama Crimson Tide—Oct. 27 vs. Mississippi State

The Crimson Tide will host Mississippi State after a trip to Tennessee and before a showdown at LSU. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs will host Middle Tennessee State the week prior to traveling to Tuscaloosa. Head coach Nick Saban has his team prepared on a week-in, week-out basis, but don't be surprised if there's a little bit of looking ahead going on.

Arkansas Razorbacks—Nov. 17 at Mississippi State

Much like Alabama, Arkansas plays Mississippi State between two big-time matchups. The Hogs will travel to Starkville after a road trip to South Carolina and before hosting LSU on the day after Thanksgiving. The Razorbacks will be squarely in the national title mix, but just like Alabama, don't be surprised if they're looking ahead a bit.

Auburn Tigers—Oct. 13 at Ole Miss

Auburn's schedule sets up in a way where there really aren't any trap games. A two-game road trip to Ole Miss and Vanderbilt in early October falls between home dates with Arkansas and Texas A&M. Since Vandy is on the rise, Ole Miss is relegated to "trap game status."

LSU Tigers—Oct. 20 at Texas A&M

LSU will travel to College Station at the tail end of an eight-game stretch without a bye week and following a home date with South Carolina. Looming on the horizon will be a date with the defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide after the bye week. LSU is deep, but eight straight weeks of football coupled with a trip to hostile College Station could spell disaster for LSU's title hopes.

Mississippi State Bulldogs—Nov. 3 vs. Texas A&M

The Bulldogs host the Aggies after a trip to Alabama and before a trip to LSU. I'm sure A&M loves that, but Mississippi State better be careful. This will likely be a battle for the No. 5 spot in the SEC West, so bowl placement could be on the line in Starkville. 

Ole Miss Rebels—Nov. 10 vs. Vanderbilt

The Rebels will host the Commodores immediately following a two-game road trip at Arkansas and Georgia, and before closing out the season at LSU and at home vs. LSU. Ole Miss' schedule is absolutely brutal, and Vandy might be the only winnable game that the Rebels have scheduled after September 22.

Texas A&M Aggies—Nov. 3 at Mississippi State

This is a trap game for both teams. The Aggies will travel to Starkville after a road trip to Auburn and before a road trip to Alabama. As stated in the Mississippi State section, this will likely be the game that decides the No. 5 spot in the SEC West, and neither team can afford to look ahead to its showdowns the following week.

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