By Jeremy Hillman
SouthernPigskin.com

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SouthernPigskin.com Senior SEC Writer Jeremy Hillman lists his Halloween projections for the SEC West.

Somehow, in what seems like a blink of an eye, here we are rolling into the last weekend of October. Halloween weekend is upon us, as eight weeks have passed since the opening weekend of college football and we are now deep into the SEC season. Gone are the expectations of the preseason and instead we are forced to start looking at each team for what they are…or at least for what they seem to be after all these weeks. Armed with this reality and the happenings of the games that have gone by, I have decided to reset everything I thought I knew and modify my projections for each team from now to the end of the regular season. A trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game, and for some teams a potential trip to Glendale to play for a national title, are on the line.

With Halloween looming, I will start with the most “scary” good division in college football, the SEC West. Will it be tricks or treats for the teams of the SEC Western Division? Here is how I see things going and what the final standings may be:

1. Auburn Tigers
Trick or Treat?: The Auburn offense and Heisman leading QB Cameron Newton have proven to be very difficult to stop. The Tiger offense is #1 in the SEC in total offense, at 486 yards per game. The glaring weakness for Auburn is passing defense. The Auburn defense has given up a whopping 1,998 passing yards in just eight games. In the end, even with the defensive issues Auburn is a solid football team and will be hard to beat. Even so, it will be tough to stay undefeated with the target on their backs and road games at Ole Miss and Alabama and a home game with improving Georgia left on the schedule.
Final Record: 11-1
Bowl Game: Sugar Bowl Vs TCU

2. Alabama Crimson Tide
Trick or Treat?: Alabama is not as good as they were a season ago, but last years team was special. When you lose that many stars to the NFL, it’s tough to repeat as champions. However, this is still a very good and very well coached team. If Bama can keep the ground game going, after a few hiccups, and find a way to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, they could win out and play for a national title. Yet, in the end, games against three ranked teams…at LSU, and at home against Mississippi State and Auburn…will be a tough road to navigate, even for Nick Saban and the Tide.
Final Record: 10-2
Bowl Game: Capital One Bowl Vs. Michigan State

3. LSU Tigers
Trick or Treat?: The defense is solid, except for maybe when its trying to stop Cameron Newton. The running game is productive and the lines are effective. The obvious problem is quarterback play and the passing game. If Jarrett Lee stays healthy and stays in games, maybe he can help slightly revamp what has been a disastrous passing offense. In total, the LSU defense and ball control running game could send LSU to a 10 win season. Impressive considering the passing numbers…one might even say “lucky”.
Final Record: 10-2
Bowl Game: Cotton Bowl Vs Oklahoma

4. Arkansas Razorbacks
Trick or Treat?: The Arkansas defense looked to be improved, but after the last two games it looks there still may be some question marks. The offense is humming right along, second in the SEC at 477 yards per game. If star QB Ryan Mallett can stay healthy and stay in games, and the running game keeps improving, the Razorbacks will continue to be a tough task for opposing defenses. By years end, Arkansas will only stumble once more, in a tough road trip to Carolina.
Final Record: 9-3
Bowl Game: Chic-Fil-A Bowl Vs Virginia Tech

5. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Trick or Treat?: Dan Mullen is building something special at State. The running game is rolling along, the defense is fast and athletic and the buzz around the program is the best its been in years. The only bumps along the way have been receivers dropping passes and a few too many big plays given up on defense. Already qualified for a bowl game for the first time since 2007, the Bulldogs could finish with 8 or more wins. Exciting times in Starkville, as the program takes another step forward.
Final Record: 8-4
Bowl Game: Music City Bowl Vs Georgia Tech

6. Ole Miss Rebels
Trick or Treat?: With a record of just 3-4 and just 1-3 in the SEC, it is hard for Ole Miss fans to find positives for this season. However, things are improving and QB Jeremiah Masoli is finding his groove with the Ole Miss offense. The defense has some holes, placing 10th in the SEC currently, giving up over 370 yards per game. If the defense can tighten up and Masoli and the Rebel run game keep plugging along, the Rebels could win six games and qualify for a bowl game. In the end, the schedule is just too tough down the stretch…Auburn, at Tennessee, at LSU and Mississippi State…Look for 5 wins for the “Bears?”
Final Record: 5-7
Bowl Game: None

Should be an exciting dash to the finish line. Five of the six teams in the West are mathematically in the race and all five of those teams are ranked in the top 25 in the nation. Scary? I’d say so.

Have a safe and fun Halloween!

Up next: the SEC East