What Every SEC Fan Needs to Know - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Part 1

I'm sure you already know this, but there are 12 teams in the SEC. The
league consists of two divisions, the East and the West.

Much has been said the past several years about the strength of this
conference. Many believe that year in and year out, from top to bottom
there is no stronger conference in the land.

I would have to agree with that line of thought. 

You may agree, or you may not.

But I am sure that we can all agree that SEC fans are among the  most faithful, stubborn, arrogant, pig-headed (no offense to those in Arkansas) and rowdy in the country.

I am not here to offend any group of fans from any particular school in
the SEC. I am blessed to be able to call many fans from rival schools my
friends. 

Some are even family. I had no choice in that matter.

But I am here today to say what must be said.  Fans from each of these
12 teams believe for the most part that their team is the best.

They blindly follow that team and cheer them on, win or lose.

Sometimes the facts get in the way of a great argument.

Officials can ruin a perfectly good evening in October with a bad call or two.
Injuries can come at the worst possible time. Blame is found and given.

Sometimes the blind fan cannot see everything. They may not see the bad or the ugly. They may or may not even be able to see the good.

But that too is ok. I am here to help with that. Sometimes it takes a third party to tell you the whole story. To point out what you may not know, or what you choose to just ignore.

So here you go SEC fans, like it or not, the good, the bad and the ugly for all 12 teams.

I will break this into two parts.  Part 1 will cover the West. Look for part 2 (The East) next week.

Please feel free to add anything I may have missed, or to just add your own.  After all it is your team we are examining.

Part 1  The SEC West

Alabama (6-0, 3-0)

The Good: The first half of the Georgia game.

Bama beat Georgia in Athens like a stray bulldog found at Michael Vicks old house. Bear Bryant must have been present, because everything went right for the Tide.

The Bad: Passing offense.

Nit-picking just a little here, but JPW and the Bama passing game are ranked 11th in the league. With Julio Jones as a target, this could improve as the year goes on.

The Ugly: Have you noticed the outdated wardrobes?

Alabama fans are pulling everything out of their closet that has an "A" on it.  Please, do us all a favor and go to Bama Fever for some new shirts and hats.

Ask for Cameon, she will help you update your wardrobe.

LSU (4-0, 2-0)

The Good:  A very balanced offense.

Over 800 yards rushing and passing. Scott, Lee and LaFell look like a nice trio.

Ryan Peri-a-who?

The Bad: Struggles at Auburn and at home against Miss State.

Auburn put up 21 on the Tigers, after managing only a field goal against Miss State.

The Ugly: Any Les Miles presser.

Les is rapidly moving up the list of annoying head coaches. Tiger fans may love him, but the rest of us are so annoyed!

Less of Les would be nice.

Auburn (4-2, 2-2)

The Good: This defense can play with anyone in the league.

Tuberville has a very talented defense. Allowing only 11.2 points per game this is a defense that can keep you in any game.

The Bad:  Quarterback play.

Auburn QB's are 11th in passing efficiency and 10th in overall passing offense. If Chris Todd is the man and the spread is the answer, don't look for much improvement.

The Ugly: Did someone mention the spread?

The Tony Franklin spread offense?

Best seller you say?

By now I am sure Auburn fans miss the old "smash mouth" football the Tigers use to play. Not to worry, I hear "The Spread Offense for Dummies" is in stock at most major bookstores.

Ole Miss (3-3, 1-2)

The Good: The Rebels went to the swamp and toppled the mighty Gators, 31-30.

A great win for first year Coach Houston Nutt. The Rebels celebrated an impressive win.

Tim Tebow cried.

The Bad: How about following a great win with a loss at home to the Gamecocks?

I think Houston Nutt may have cried after this one.

The roller coaster ride is now open. Rebel fans can ride for free.

The Ugly: Pass Defense.

Opponents are completing 66.5% of their passes against the Ole Miss defense. That number puts them dead last in the SEC in pass defense.

So tell me again how Florida explains how they lost to the Rebels.

Arkansas (2-3, 0-2)

The Good: Michael Smith and Casey Dick.

Both are putting up good numbers, giving Petrino and his offense a chance to put up some points. Despite the good effort, the Razorbacks are only averaging 17 points a game.

The Bad: Alabama pounded Arkansas at home, 49-14.

Did Georgia miss the game film from this one?

It couldn't get much worse could it?

The Ugly: Yes it can. Welcome to Texas Razorback fans.

Bobby and the boys got Long-horned, 52-10 in their historic rematch.

As a Falcon fan from Atlanta I say it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Mississippi State (1-4, 0-2)

The Good: Pass Defense.

The Bulldogs are 3rd in the SEC in pass defense. They are only giving up 153 yards per game. Opponents have only completed 46% of their passes.

The Bad: Losses at Georgia Tech (38-7) and at LSU (34-24).

State fans have not had much to cheer about this season. But at least the Bulldogs scored a TD or two.

The Ugly: The loss at Auburn.

Yes, the score really was 3-2. It was like watching a slow torture death. It was brutal! Both teams had so many chances to win. 

A tie would have been appropriate.

So that takes care of the West.  Digest it slowly, don't take in too much at once.

Yes we are the SEC, the best conference in all the land. Just ask any of us and we will let you know.

Sometimes we just need a reminder that even our beloved teams do have a flaw or two.

Check back next week for part 2, The East!!