Why South Carolina Is Still in the SEC East Driver's Seat

If there is one thing anyone learned about the SEC East last week, it's that it is definitely down, and definitely wide open. Any of the six teams could win it.

Florida's stock is dropping, Georgia and Kentucky's are rising, Vanderbilt is Vanderbilt, and no one knows what to think about South Carolina.

South Carolina is in the driver's seat...but after a huge win against Alabama, they suffered a disturbing loss against Kentucky. After this week's game against Vanderbilt, we can more fully understand what sort of team we are looking at.

South Carolina is looking pretty good for the East as of this point.

Current Outlook

1. South Carolina (4-2, 2-2)

SEC Stock: Steady (for now)

Chance they win the East: 40 percent

With a 2-2 record in the SEC, one wouldn't have predicted that it would be enough to be first. If South Carolina wins out (which is a big if), they go to Atlanta at 10-2. A more likely scenario is Carolina losing one more. If South Carolina loses one more, they must beat Florida in the Swamp.

Given their ineptitude on the road, winning at the Swamp will be no easy feat for Stephen Garcia and company.

If Florida loses one more and South Carolina wins every game EXCEPT the Florida game, then South Carolina still gets in with a loss to Florida.

If Carolina beats Florida and then loses to Arkansas, it still gets in. Two more SEC losses will make it very difficult to get to Atlanta...especially with Georgia and Kentucky showing a bit of life.

2. Florida (4-3, 2-3)

SEC Stock: Falling

Chance they win the East: 35 percent

With Florida suffering three major losses in the SEC, one would assume that they would be completely out of the race. Not so. The Gators' schedule gets much easier from here.

The biggest game is obviously the South Carolina game. Luckily for the Gators, it is in the Swamp, where they will probably be favored.

The game against Georgia is huge. The Dawgs are much improved and playing hard. If the Gators lose, that gives them even less room for error. If they beat the Bulldogs, it becomes a potential "win and you are in" scenario against Carolina (assuming Carolina beats the awful Vandy and Tennessee teams...never a given in the SEC).

If they lose to Georgia, it will take a win against South Carolina PLUS another South Carolina loss, PLUS two Georgia losses to put them in. That would be a tall order.

There is a lot riding on that game.

3. Kentucky (4-3, 1-3)

SEC Stock: Rising

Chance they win the East: 15 percent

Also, Kentucky could still very much make a run at the East. The remaining schedule is favorable. Georgia and Mississippi State are tough, but with Kentucky's offense and potential momentum from beating No. 10 South Carolina, if they make it through those two games with wins, it is possible.

They finish the season against Vanderbilt and Tennessee...which should be wins. If they get that 5-3 SEC East record, you could be looking at a very surprising SEC East champion.

Of course, South Carolina has to lose one more, and Florida would have to lose one more as well. It is a lot easier than having to go on the road to play Florida and Auburn...which is why I have them higher than the Dawgs.

4. Georgia (3-4, 2-3)

SEC Stock: Rising

Chance they win the East: 10 percent

Don't look now, but here come the Bulldogs. With a little help, Georgia can still win the SEC East. It will be difficult, but it is possible. They have very tough games ahead against Kentucky, Florida, Auburn and Georgia Tech.

They could win the East or finish at 4-8. Either way, it would take a huge end of the season...especially having to go on the road to play Florida and Auburn.

Tennessee and Vanderbilt will not even sniff the championship game. 

However, the scenarios are vast for the East. 

South Carolina controls its own destiny. Will they grab hold of it or let one of the other programs in? The loss to Kentucky opened the door for Kentucky to take the top spot...and a loss to Florida would pretty much doom the Gamecocks.

Win and you're in, baby. That's all you can ask for.