It was fun while it lasted for Ole Miss, a hard luck loser the last two weeks against nationally-ranked competition within the division. Cannibalism has began in college football’s most lethal league and others will be affected soon enough, perhaps Saturday night in Death Valley when Alabama strolls into a showdown with LSU:



RELATED: Road to Atlanta — East Guide

MISSISSIPPI STATE (8-0, 5-0)

CHANCES AT WINNING THE WEST: High

REMAINING SEC GAMES: at Alabama, Nov. 15; vs. Vanderbilt, Nov. 22; at Ole Miss, Nov. 29

VERDICT: In the best position to win the SEC and reach the College Football Playoff, the Bulldogs’ season shall be defined by what happens in Tuscaloosa next weekend and Oxford for the Egg Bowl during the Thanksgiving holiday Even an 11-1 finish will likely be enough to get Mississippi State in the final four, but losing both games to Alabama and Ole Miss would put a damper on what has started out as the most memorable campaign in program history. Dak Prescott has a Heisman to win, too.

ALABAMA (7-1, 4-1)

CHANCES AT WINNING THE WEST: Moderate

REMAINING SEC GAMES: at LSU, Saturday; vs. Mississippi State, Nov. 15; vs. Western Carolina, Nov. 22; vs. Auburn, Nov. 29

VERDICT: Considered by some to be the nation’s best team, the Crimson Tide must survive the toughest end-of-season slate for any contender over the next four weeks with three games against teams currently ranked in the Top 16. A second loss all but ends Alabama’s Playoff hopes and certainly the division crown. The winner of the Iron Bowl’s went on to represent the SEC in the national championship each of the last five seasons and could do so again this fall.

AUBURN (7-1, 4-1)

CHANCES AT WINNING THE WEST: Moderate

REMAINING SEC GAMES: vs. Texas A&M, Saturday; at Georgia, Nov. 15; at Alabama, Nov. 29

VERDICT: Auburn burst Mississippi’s bubble last time out and has a chance to end Georgia’s SEC Championship hopes next weekend in Athens, a must-win for the Tigers to stay a game back in the Western Division race. At the moment, Auburn’s eyeing an at-large Playoff bid if Mississippi State wins out. Should the Bulldogs lose at Alabama on Nov. 15, the Iron Bowl victor could win the West if Mississippi State falls in the Egg Bowl as well.