SEC Football: West Reigns As King of College Football's Toughest Conference

Just six weeks into the college football season, many storylines are developing within the nation's premier conference.  

This weekend alone, defending national champion Alabama lost to an upstart South Carolina team, and there was the annual thriller between LSU and Florida in Gainesville.

Besides South Carolina's victory over Alabama, it has become increasingly obvious that "The Beasts From the East" are dead, and the power within the conference resides within the Western Division for possibly years to come.  This article examines five reasons why.

The Last of the SEC's Unbeatens

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Les Miles of the Louisiana State Univeristy Tigers during pregame before playing the West Virginia Mountaineers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty I

There are two teams within the SEC that remain unbeaten, and both reside within the Western division.

LSU (6-0, 4-0) sits atop the conference.  The Tigers have in effect beaten three top 25 teams in UNC, WVU, and Florida. The Tigers also boast the SEC's top defense, which features the nation's premier cornerback in Patrick Peterson.  

Meanwhile Auburn (6-0, 3-0) has already toppled South Carolina, 35-27, and has defeated the likes of Clemson, Kentucky, and an up and coming Mississippi State.  They also feature one of the conference's premier playmakers in QB Cam Newton, who rushed for 198 yards in a victory over Kentucky.

The Decline of the East's Big Three

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 26: A. J. Green #8 of the Georgia Bulldogs goes up for a pass against Omar Bolden #3 of the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sanford Stadium on September 26, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

With Florida's loss to LSU, only one SEC East team holds a winning record in conference play (South Carolina).  The combination of previous Top-25 mainstays Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia all appear to be experiencing a decline.

Florida, the most promising of the group, is still struggling to find its offensive identity following the graduation of former QB Tim Tebow.

Tennessee is in a complete rebuilding mode following the Lane Kiffin debacle.  Current Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley had his team playing hard, but suffered a setback in a humiliating 41-14 loss to Georgia.

Before Georgia's victory over Tennessee, talk was circulating around Athens that head coach Mark Richt might soon be looking for employment.  The Bulldogs held a 1-4 record before Saturday's win over Tennessee, suffering losses to South Carolina, Mississippi St., Arkansas, and Colorado.  WR A.J. Green has provided an offensive spark, but the Bulldogs still have a long way to go.

Defense Reigns Supreme

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Geno Smith #12 of the West Virginia Mountaineers in action against the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The SEC West is home of the top three units in terms of Total Defense.  LSU, Alabama, and Arkansas led the league with LSU allowing a ridiculous 246 yards per game.

Alabama, Arkansas, and LSU respectively also lead the conference in scoring defense with Alabama allowing a mere 13.3 points per game.

The top three in rushing defense are also located in the West with LSU, Auburn, and Alabama holding the top spots.  LSU is allowing only 80.7 rushing yards per game.

The SEC East does have the SEC's leaders in passing defense in Kentucky and Vanderbilt but with the West's LSU falling close behind.  Amazingly, Kentucky is only allowing 153.2 yards per game.

Quarterback Play

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 28: Quarterback Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansa Razorbacks throws a pass over Rahim Alem #84 of the Louisiana State University Tigers at Tiger Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Ge

The SEC West is home to both the conference's premier passer and premier dual-threat quarterback.

Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett is currently stating his case to be the first quarterback chosen in the 2011 NFL Draft.  Currently Mallett has completed 122 passes out of 176 attempts for 1,748 yards, with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.  Mallett leads a passing offense which is averaging 349.6 yards per game.

Meanwhile, Auburn QB Cam Newton is a glowing example of a dual-threat QB.  Newton has rushed for 672 yards on 104 attempts, and passed for 1,138 yards while completing 70 passes on 108 attempts with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions.  Newton also holds the conference's top spot in passing efficiency with a 180.7 efficiency rating.

Top 25 Placement

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LEXINGTON, KY - OCTOBER 09: Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers throws a pass during the SEC game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium on October 9, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

The SEC West, as of Sunday, October 10, has four teams located within the Top 12 of the Week 7 AP Poll: Auburn (7), Alabama (8), LSU (9), and Arkansas (12).

The SEC East, though, has seen only two receive the needed votes, with Florida dangerously close to being omitted: South Carolina (10), Florida (22).

The East's days have come and gone for the foreseeable future.  Naturally this comes and goes in cycles, but for now that cycle remains in the West.