A Look at the SEC East Race: Week 7

South Carolina has played half of its conference games and stand at 3-1.  They are tied atop the SEC East.  Here are the standings:

South Carolina, Georgia and Florida all control their own destinies.  Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Kentucky need help to win the East.  Tennessee has to play LSU and Alabama the next two weeks so barring a miracle, they are out of the race.  Kentucky appears dead in the water after losing four in a row and even if they can win out, they will need significant help.  Vanderbilt’s chances aren’t as far fetched.  If they win out, they need USC to lose two to win the East.  If Vanderbilt starts winning, we’ll look at that in more detail.  

For now it looks like a three team race.  Their remaining conference schedules and more are below the break…..

Georgia appears to have the easiest road to the SEC East crown.  They only play one true road game, but it’s against Vanderbilt.  Odds are only Auburn and Florida are capable of beating Georgia.  Florida has three teams on its schedule capable of beating them: Auburn, Georgia and South Carolina.  The Auburn game is on the road, so that is one to watch.  South Carolina has 3 road games, two against West opponents and a home date with the Gators.  All four of their games could go either way.

Right now the smart money is on Georgia if for no other reason than their schedule.  If they lose to Florida, then the road to Atlanta will probably come through Columbia when UF visits.  If they beat Florida, they should expect to play in Atlanta.

If you’re a South Carolina fan, you need your team to win out.  If they drop one, it better not be against Florida.  USC also needs Florida or Auburn to beat Georiga. There are other plausible scenarios that land USC in Atlanta but we’ll hold off on those for now.

Check back next week to see how this weekend’s games have altered the race and find out what these teams need to do to assure themselves a spot in the SEC Championship game.