Auburn

1. Auburn is a really good football team. The defense has been stellar all season. The front wall led by defensive end Carl Lawson, defensive end Marlon Davidson, defensive tackle Montravius Adams, defensive tackle Davaroe Lawrence  and others is superb. They dominate. They are physical, disruptive playmakers. They’re awesome. The back end led by safeties Johnathan “Rudy” Ford, Tray Matthews and corner Carlton Davis is also exceptional. Linebacker Tre Williams is living up to his high four star ranking coming out of high school in Mobile. This is a championship defense. Auburn may have lost two games early, but they are looking highly formidable now.
2. The offense has hit its stride. When Kerryon Johnson went down three weeks ago with an ankle sprain, Kamryn Pettway stepped right in. He barreled over Mississippi State for 169 yards on 39 carries and three TDs in a 38-14 AU shellacking of the Bulldogs in Starkville, and, this past Saturday, Kam ran for 192 yards on 27 carries with two TDs. Wow. Kerryon should be back soon, maybe this Saturday @ Ole Miss, a 6:15 PM CT kickoff on the SEC Network, and with that and what other guys like Eli Stove, Kam Martin and Stanton Truitt did Saturday against Arkansas, this group is extraordinary. Stove ran for 94 yards on three carries. Stove may be a wide receiver, but these reverses are highly effective, he’s looking like a Quan Bray, Onterio McCalebb type player, so I see him getting more of those chances. Martin ran for 80 yards on 7 carries, Truitt ran for 78 yards and 8 carries and quarterback Sean White ran for 61 yards on 4 carries.
3. Rhett Lashlee has been a difference maker calling plays for Gus. It’s been huge. Rhett has gotten the offense clicking. He’s doing super. 
4. Kevin Steele can really coach the defense. He’s had a resurgence at Auburn and the players have bought in to what he’s telling them. He’s been superb.
5. Sean White is a winning quarterback. He won’t make mistakes and he’ll become more of a playmaker as the year progresses. 
6. Auburn is 3-1 in the SEC and 4-2 overall, and the hottest team in the league now. LSU is getting closer.
7. With games @ Ole Miss this Saturday, vs Vanderbilt, Nov. 5th, on the Plains, @ Georgia, Nov. 12th, vs. Alabama A&M, Nov. 19th and @ Alabama, Nov. 26th, the Tigers have a shot at the West. They can very well control their own destiny, Like all the teams contending for SEC and national honors, the Tigers need to stay healthy. But if they avoid any major injuries, this team has a chance to be really special in November.

Alabama

I wasn’t overly impressed with the Crimson Tide on Saturday against Texas A&M in a 33-14 victory. Jalen Hurts didn’t have his best game. Still believe in Jalen and this team very much, but games looming @ LSU and vs. Auburn look tough now. Losing Eddie Jackson from the defense is a blow, so Hootie Jones and Tony Brown will have to step up. The Tide is @ LSU, Saturday, Nov.5th, home vs State, Nov. 12th, home vs. Chattanooga, Nov. 19th, then the Iron Bowl in Bryant-Denny, Saturday, Nov. 26th.  

Still a very talented team, but the Crimson Tide looked more vulnerable Saturday.

LSU

Looked super in their dominating performance, a 38-21 victory over Ole Miss in Death Valley Saturday Night. Leonard Fournette ran for 284 yards and 3 TDs including a 78 yard TD run that was spectacular. If he’s come to play now, watch out. When he’s focused and healthy, he’s phenomenal. Coach O has his Tigers energized and excited about playing and winning football games. He’s been a game changer for LSU. Watch out for these guys. Games left vs. Alabama,  Nov 5th, @Arkansas, Nov. 12th, vs. Florida, Nov. 19th, and @ A&M, Thursday, Nov. 24th. It’s a tough finishing schedule, but this group is superbly talented, so now it’s a three horse race in the West between Auburn, Alabama and L-S-U.