SEC Football: What We Know About Each Team After 11 Weeks

In what seems like a blink of an eye, we have rolled through 11 weeks of the 2011 SEC football season.

Saturday's games brought another slate of surprises, disappointments, routs and close ball games.

Each week we learn a little more about each team in the conference and how the teams may fall into place at season's end.

Click through the slideshow to see what we know about each Southeastern Conference team after 11 weeks of play.

The teams are listed in order of my power rankings for the SEC as it stands today.

12. Ole Miss Rebels

Record: 2-8 (0-6)

Summary: It has been a disaster of a season for the Rebels. Ole Miss has just two wins in 11 weeks, against Fresno State and Southern Ilinois, has lost 12 straight SEC games and lost by 20 to Lousiana Tech, from a non-BCS conference, on Saturday.

The offense—especially the passing game—is poor, and the defense has made stars out of opposing running backs all season. Definitely not the makings of a competitive squad.

The Coach: As announced last week, Head Coach Houston Nutt will not return next season. The problem now is that it may be difficult to find the right coach willing to try and rebuild this program.

Key Stat: Ole Miss is 108th in the nation in stopping the run, giving up a whopping 209 rush yards per game. In the SEC, if you can't stop the run, you will struggle to win games.

Bowl Projection: No bowl

11. Kentucky Wildcats

Record: 4-6 (1-6)

Summary: It has been a disappointing season in Lexington. The losses against top SEC teams, like LSU and South Carolina, may have been expected; however, loses to rival Louisville and a 30-point loss to Vanderbilt will cause Kentucky to miss a bowl game for the first time in six seasons.

Struggles at quarterback, with the ineffectiveness of starter Morgan Newton through the first half of the season, and the inexperience of new freshman starter Max Smith have led to a stagnant offense.

The defense has several stars, including the best defensive player in the conference, linebacker Danny Trevathan, but the unit as a whole has given up too many yards and too many points.

The Coach: A bit of a step back for Joker Phillips this season. He will need to get Kentucky back to a bowl game next season to avoid being on the hot seat.

Key Stat: Kentucky is 110th in the nation in passing offense, throwing for just 147 yards per game. Hard to put many points on the board with that kind of production from the pass game.

Bowl Projection: No bowl

10. Tennessee Volunteers

Record: 4-6 (0-6)

Summary: Injuries derailed what could have been a promising and building season in Knoxville.

The passing game was the clear strength of the Volunteers football team, as it showed in an early win over a good Cincinnati team in Week 2 of the season.

Since then, they have lost star wideout Justin Hunter and star quarterback Tyler Bray to injuries. With the run game producing very little all season, these injuries hurt big time.

While the defense has been solid at times, the pass defense has struggled overall, and Tennessee has given up right at 32 points per game in conference play.

The Vols will need a win against a quality Vanderbilt team to earn six wins and qualify for a bowl invite.

The Coach: Derek Dooley will get a pass for this poor season because of the injuries. However, he will need to bring in a solid recruiting class to keep the natives from getting restless.

Key Stat: Tennessee ranks 116th in the nation in rush offense, running for just 92 yards per game. A lack of a run game will cripple an offense.

Bowl Projection: No bowl

9. Vanderbilt Commodores

Record: 5-5 (2-5)

Summary: Vanderbilt is having a surprise season in 2011 and looking to qualify for a rare bowl berth.

The run game, including dynamic running back Zac Stacey, has led the offense.

The defense is the key to this team, as they have created the second most turnovers in the SEC with 24 on the season.

The Commodores need just one more win to get to six wins and put an exclamation on what has been an upstart year for the program.

The Coach: First year head coach James Franklin is one of the hottest young coaches in the nation. He has made an impressive impact on the program in his short time in Nashville. The question is will a bigger program come calling soon?

Key Stat: Vanderbilt is sixth in the SEC in total defense, allowing just 327 yards per game. If defense wins championships, it can also earn bowl invites.

Bowl Projection: Liberty Bowl (Vanderbilt vs. Southern Miss)

8. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Record: 5-5 (1-5)

Summary: It has been a tough season for the Bulldogs. Mississippi State is a good football team, but it hasn't been able to grind out wins over the top programs in the conference this season.

State isn't bad or great at any one aspect of the game, finishing between sixth and eighth in the SEC in most offensive and defensive statistical categories. They just haven't been able to make the plays in big games to have he edge on the scoreboard in the end.

The Coach: Dan Mullen is well-liked in Starkville, although there are a few rumbles within the Bulldog nation that they want a win against a top program. The good news for Mullen is that he has the Mississippi State program well ahead of rival Ole Miss.

Key Stat: Starting quarterback Chris Relf was expected to have a big season; yet he has thrown for just seven touchdowns and six interceptions in a inconsistent showing.

Bowl Projection: Music City Bowl (Mississippi State vs. Miami)

7. Florida Gators

Record: 5-5 (3-5)

Summary: This what not the season Gator fans were hoping for. The new coaching staff brought hope and some wins early in the season, but some key injuries and poor play have left Florida with just five wins in 11 weeks.

While the running game has been good most of the season, the passing game, especially when starting quarterback John Brantley was out banged up, has struggled all season. Pair that with sloppy play, turnovers and penalties, and Florida has sputtered on offense.

On defense, there have been too many rush yards given up and too few turnovers created.

With a game against lowly Furman coming up on Saturday, Florida is assured of six wins and a bowl game invite, which will give the new staff more time to develop the young players and focus on getting better for 2012.

The Coach: It hasn't been a great start for Muschamp, but avoiding a loss to Vanderbilt and earning a bowl invite kept it from being a train wreck. Recruiting guys that fit his system should help over the next couple of years.

Key Stat: Florida is 113th in the nation in turnover margin, with a poor minus-10 margin.

Bowl Projection: Gator Bowl (Florida vs. Ohio State)

6. Auburn Tigers

Record: 6-4 (0-6)

Summary: It has been an up and down season for the Tigers. However, considering the tough schedule and the limited preseason expectations, it has to be considered a successful season for Auburn for them to win seven regular season games and head to a quality bowl.

The running game has been solid, led by running back Michael Dyer. However, inconsistency at quarterback and an injury to top receiver Emory Blake have limited the yards and points for the offense.

The defense has had its moments, such as their effort in wins over South Carolina and Florida, but has struggled to stop the run and pass for most of the season.

The Coach: Gene Chizik's Tigers are the defending national champions and have a young and talented team learning and developing every week this season, getting ready for a potential breakout 2012.

Key Stat: Auburn is 11th in the SEC in total defense, giving up over 400 yards per game.

Bowl Projection: Chick-Fil-A Bowl (Auburn vs. Virginia Tech)

5. South Carolina

Record: 8-2 (6-2)

Summary: South Carolina is a solid football team, but will feel as if this is a let-down season after letting a chance to win the SEC East slip away.

Losing star running back Marcus Lattimore to injury slowed the offense, but the real issue on offense is at quarterback. Starter Stephen Garcia had off-the-field and on-the-field issues and was replaced with Connor Shaw, who has limited capabilities.

The defense has been very good, including All-American candidate defender Melvin Ingram, and aside from a rough day against Arkansas, has been consistent in containing opposing offenses.

A big win over Florida on Saturday got things back on track and should put South Carolina in a good bowl game.

The Coach: Steve Spurrier took South Carolina to the SEC Championship Game for the first time last season and had them in the mix again this season. With young stars like Lattimore and defensive end Jadeveon Clowney on his squad, he should be fine for the future.

Key Stat: South Carolina ranks just ninth in the SEC in passing yards per game and has thrown for more interceptions than touchdowns in 2011.

Bowl Projection: Outback Bowl (South Carolina vs. Michigan)

4. Georgia Bulldogs

Record: 8-2 (6-1)

Summary: Georgia lost the first two games of the season and looked to be the letdown team of the 2011 SEC season. However, they have now won eight straight games and are one of the hottest teams in college football.

Quarterback Aaron Murray is the SEC's best quarterback, and he is getting help from the emergence of freshman running back Isaiah Crowell.

The defense is playing strong right now behind athletic linebacker Jarvis Jones, who leads the SEC in tackles for a loss, and defensive back Bacarri Rambo, who leads the conference in interceptions.

The Bulldogs should be heading to Atlanta as the SEC East champions.

The Coach: Mark Richt literally went from the hot seat after week two to a candidate for SEC Coach of the Year after 11 weeks. Don't expect a coaching change in Athens.

Key Stat: Georgia ranks second in the SEC in total offense, averaging an impressive 438 yards per contest.

Bowl Projection: Cotton Bowl (Georgia vs. Kansas State)

3. Arkansas Razorbacks

Record: 9-1 (5-1)

Summary: Arkansas has kept themselves in the SEC West Division race, and thus the national title race, as they have just one loss all season.

The passing game, led by star quarterback Tyler Wilson, is prolific and the key to Arkansas' big season.

The run game and defense have struggled at times, but have done enough to keep the Razorbacks ahead on the scoreboard.

The Coach: Bobby Petrino has delivered as the Arkansas coach. He led the Razorbacks to their first BCS bowl last season and has them back battling for another shot in 2011.

Key Stat: Arkansas leads the SEC in passing offense, averaging a ridiculous 313 passing yards per outing. That kind of passing can put some points on the board quickly.

Bowl Projection: Capital One Bowl (Arkansas vs. Michigan State)

2. Alabama Crimson Tide

Record: 9-1 (6-1)

Summary: The Tide lost a painful close game to top-ranked LSU two weeks ago to potentially lose a shot at an SEC and national title.

However, Alabama has the best defense in the nation and could make their way back into the picture with an upset or two of teams ahead of them.

The Alabama running game and stud running back Trent Richardson power the offense, which has struggled to develop much of a vertical passing game.

Hard to believe fans may be disappointed after an 11-win regular season.

The Coach: Nick Saban is a legend at Bama and will only leave if and when he chooses.

Key Stat: Alabama leads the nation in total defense, giving up just 184 yards per game. This kind of defense will keep you in a game against anyone.

Bowl Projection: BCS Sugar Bowl (Alabama vs. Houston)

1. LSU Tigers

Record: 10-0 (6-0)

Summary: LSU is ranked No. 1 in both major polls and in the BCS standings.

The defense, including all-world defensive backs Morris Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu and defensive lineman Sam Montgomery, is outstanding, as the Tiger defenders fly to the ball and make big plays every game.

The offense has several talented skill position players and a two-quarterback (Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson) system that has worked so far this season.

The Tigers have a looming game against dangerous Arkansas to end the regular season that they must win to clinch the SEC West title.

The Coach: Les Miles has moved himself into position to be considered the nation's top college football coach. He will be in Baton Rouge for the foreseeable future.

Key Stat: LSU is third in the nation in turnover margin with a very impressive plus 15 ratio.

Bowl Projection: BCS National Championship Game (LSU vs. Oklahoma State)