2016 SEC West Predictions: Can Anyone Dethrone Alabama?

I’ve already given my SEC East predictions for 2016. Now, we focus on the West.

Like with the East picks, a few notes before we jump in:

• The top two teams are set. Beyond that? It’s anyone’s guess. Teams 3-7 have a plethora of unknowns. Any order of finish is possible with those four teams.

• The East was much easier to predict than the West. As usual, the West is the better division overall.

• This isn’t the year of the quarterback in the SEC. Almost every team has a QB that must prove himself. Ole Miss is the only team that has a sure thing under center in the West.

Despite all the potential craziness, picks must be made. Here are the West predictions.

2016 SEC WEST PREDICTIONS (updated 8/30/16)

1. LSU Tigers

If you read this when it was first published in mid-July, you’ll know that I picked Alabama to win the West.

I had a comparison to Ric Flair and everything.

But since human beings are allowed to change their minds, I’ve since decided that LSU is indeed the pick in the West.

I’d be lying if I said that Brandon Harris doesn’t concern me. Teams loaded up the box last year to try and stop Leonard Fournette, thus forcing Harris to throw the ball. Well, Fournette still destroyed them, but Harris was less than stellar in the passing game.

However, LSU’s road to an SEC West title is better than Alabama’s. And when you factor in the fact that the Tigers host the Crimson Tide this season, it makes the choice a bit easier.

Yes, Les Miles will go from minutes way from being fired to winning the West.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide

Again, this has a lot more to do with LSU hosting Alabama than anything else.

I still have the Crimson Tide going 11-1 on the season.

The quarterback concerns are also obvious in Tuscaloosa, but Lane Kiffin will figure it out. Every year people have been concerned about Alabama’s quarterback situation, but that hasn’t stopped the Crimson Tide from winning national titles.

The problem for Alabama is that is has the toughest schedule in the SEC. That’s why picking LSU makes more sense to me.

3. Texas A&M Aggies

I’m high on Texas A&M. Ole Miss fans may think I’m high on something else.

But despite all the turmoil and disappointments the past few years, the Aggies have a roster that can compete in the West. And most importantly, their schedule isn’t all that daunting.

Texas A&M goes to Auburn and Alabama, with the former more winnable than the latter. The Aggies also get Arkansas on a neutral field and host Tennessee, Ole Miss and LSU.

Kevin Sumlin needs a big year, or things could get ugly. He’s only managed eight wins in each of the past two seasons (which plenty of coaches would take), and all of the transfers haven’t help matters.

4. Ole Miss Rebels

The Rebels have a lot going on right now. Hugh Freeze has certainly brought this program to new heights in the SEC, but the NCAA investigation isn’t a good look.

There’s also the fact that Ole Miss will play Florida State and Alabama in two of its first three games. If Bama and LSU are No. 1 and No. 2, then Florida State is No. 3. The Rebels play all of them this season.

Ole Miss has had Alabama’s number in recent years, and the game is in Oxford. The road trip to LSU won’t be fun, and neither will trips to Arkansas, Texas A&M, and even Vanderbilt.

Yes, Chad Kelly is the best quarterback in the SEC. But there’s too many potential stumbling blocks to pick them any higher.

5. Arkansas Razorbacks

A crazy amount of production is gone on offense (quarterback Brandon Allen, running back Alex Collins, and all-world tight end Hunter Henry), and that will erase some of the confidence that Arkansas had built up towards the end of last season.

However, the Razorbacks are the sleeper team in the division. Bret Bielema will have a defense that’s loaded with experience, and the schedule is entirely manageable.

The toughest road game that Arkansas will play is at Auburn. And if you hadn’t noticed, I’m picking the Razorbacks to be better than Auburn. They get their toughest conference games (Alabama, Ole Miss, Florida, LSU) all at home. They’ll beat at least one of those teams.

I’m not saying Arkansas can win the West. But I wouldn’t be shocked if they finished a few spots higher.

6. Auburn Tigers

Gus Malzahn led Auburn to 12 wins just three short years ago. But now he sits firmly on the hot seat (the third hottest seat according to the ridiculously fun CoachesHotSeat.com).

Can he quiet the critics? It doesn’t seem likely.

In what is a running theme with a lot of SEC teams, the Tigers have to find a quarterback. If you have three quarterbacks, you have no quarterback. Jeremy Johnson, Sean White, and John Franklin III will all compete for the role, and Malzahn is hoping that one of them will take the job and keep it.

The entire landscape of Auburn’s season could change with a win over national runner-up Clemson in the season opener. After that, the Tigers stay at home for another four games.

Upset wins over teams like Clemson and LSU would obviously be a game-changer for Malzahn’s team and make this prediction look incredibly stupid.

7. Mississippi State Bulldogs

I bet you can’t guess where Mississippi State’s biggest concern is at. If you guessed quarterback, you’re a winner.

The Bulldogs will be a winner in 2016, but it won’t be at the same rate as it has been the past two seasons. With Dak Prescott out of the picture, a 10-win season isn’t happening.

Dan Mullen has a great offensive mind, and that will make the transition from Prescott to Nick Fitzgerald a little easier.

But let’s not kid ourselves. Fitzgerald isn’t Prescott, and although he has good weapons at receiver (particularly Fred Ross), it won’t be enough to make the Bulldogs consistent threats against the many outstanding defenses they’ll face this season.

Who are you picking to win the SEC West this season? Log into Facebook and give your predictions in the comments section below.