Arkansas vs Alabama: Which SEC West Program Has Best Chance of Taking Down LSU?

In one of the biggest games of the weekend, the Arkansas Razorbacks take on the Alabama Crimson Tide. Both teams are undefeated heading into this game but this will be the first major test of the season for both teams.

There are a lot of people who believe Arkansas can manage to pull off the upset this weekend. But does anybody else in the SEC West have a chance to knock off the Crimson Tide?

Here we rank the chances of every team in the SEC West defeating Alabama this season.

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Ole Miss Rebels

I think it's safe to say that by judging the first three weeks of the season, Ole Miss is the worst team in the SEC West. It already lost to BYU and got destroyed by Vanderbilt.

Ole Miss has no passing game whatsoever, averaging less than 145 passing yards a game. Quarterback Zack Stoudt only completes 53 percent of his passes and has thrown five interceptions in three games. The running game isn't there either, only averaging 109 yards a game in that department.

The defense also struggles at times—anytime you give up 420 yards to a Southern Illinois team, it's not good news. 

The matchup being in Alabama makes things even more difficult for the Rebels, especially when Ole Miss has lost 23 of the last 26 meetings.

Mississippi State Bulldogs

Mississippi State is a team that has a lot of potential but lately hasn't really shown it.

Anytime you have a solid dual-threat quarterback in Chris Relf and one of the best backs in the conference in Vick Ballard, it's a nice combination to have on offense. They help contribute to one of the best rushing attacks in the country, averaging 231 yards a game.

Defensively, they're an aggressive bunch but have given up 182 rushing yards a game which is not good when you're facing Trent Richardson.

With the game being in Mississippi State, you have to give the Bulldogs a chance but they've already played a great defensive team in LSU and didn't do much. I don't see Mississippi State coming out with a victory here.

Auburn Tigers

The Auburn Tigers' winning streak came to an end last week at 17 but that doesn't mean this team is not dangerous.

Barrett Trotter is really growing before our eyes and turning into a solid quarterback, completing 63 percent of his passes and throwing six touchdowns to only two interceptions.

Of course, this game will come down to whether Michael Dyer can produce for the Tigers. With Cam Newton and company gone, this team leans on the sophomore running back more than anything. He hasn't let them down yet, but of course hasn't faced a defense like Alabama's.

The one thing that would scare me as a Tigers fan going into this game is the defense. Auburn is one of the worst in the country, giving up an average of 36 points per game. There is no way the Tigers have a chance in this game if they give up that many points to Alabama.

Overall, you have to give Auburn a chance as good as anybody. It has enough offensive pieces to stay in this game and it's at home. The Tigers have also won seven of the last nine Iron Bowls so they have to have some type of confidence coming into this game.

LSU Tigers

The Tigers are the most impressive team in the country so far, beating two Top 25 teams in the first three weeks.

The defense is superb and one of the best in the country. When these two teams meet November 5th, I hope you enjoy a low-scoring game because that's what you're going to get. The Tigers held Oregon, which has one of the best offenses in the country, to only 27 points. They also held one of the best rushing teams in Mississippi State to only 52 rushing yards.

When you have a defense as good as that, you always have a chance.

The thing that scares me about LSU is the same thing that turns off voters and makes them hesitant in believing if they're a complete team and possible national contender. It's the offense.

Can the Tigers score enough points to win? Can quarterback Jarrett Lee lead this team down the field when they really need a score?

Lee has done a good job of completing 68 percent of his passes but they still rank 92nd in the country in passing yards. We know LSU is going to want to run the ball with its two-headed monster in Michael Ford and Spencer Ware. But just how much running can they do on this Alabama team that gives up less than 100 rushing yards a game?

LSU has won six of the last eight meetings but that defense can only do so much. Sooner or later, the offense has to step up.

Arkansas Razorbacks

I believe Arkansas has the best chance to knock off Alabama and that's in large part due to its offense.

Arkansas has one of the best offenses in the country and passes the ball for 346 yards a game. Junior quarterback Tyler Wilson is completing 68 percent of his passes and will have receiver Greg Childs back after he missed last week. The running game isn't too shabby either, averaging 170 rushing yards a game.

Red zone success, how is a perfect 13-13 for you?

Nobody is questioning Alabama's defense but Arkansas is going to score its fair share of points. The question I have is with the Crimson Tide's quarterback.

Can AJ McCarron play good enough for his team to win?

He hasn't thrown for more than one touchdown in a game his entire career. He isn't that accurate and if he was so good, Alabama wouldn't have been torn between him and freshman Phillip Sims. 

If the Crimson Tide falls behind early and is forced to rely on quarterback play to get back in the game, it could be down for the count.