Topics for Discussion: LSU's Margins, the East Contenders and Teams from Mississippi

Did LSU's margin of victory against Auburn bug you? The Bayou Bengals "only" won 12-10 in their game against another brand of Tigers, but it counts the same and LSU is still 4-0 after four weeks of games. They outgained Auburn 351-183, though a few self-inflicted wounds helped keep the game as close as it was. Do you think a win is a win is a win, particularly in a rivalry as bizarre as this one, or did LSU lose a little credibility as a national championship contender Saturday?

Which SEC East team had the more impressive Saturday? Each of the three front-runners took turns today flattening outmatched division opponents. Florida started the day off by blasting Kentucky 38-0; South Carolina followed up by stomping Missouri 31-10; and Georgia finished up the day by demolishing Vanderbilt 48-3. With the possible exception of the Gamecocks' slow start, none of the games were ever particularly close. So which of the victories went further to proving that the winner is the best of the three teams?

How bad could things get for Arkansas? Here's the rest of the Razorbacks' schedule: at Texas A&M, at Auburn, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Tulsa, at South Carolina, at Mississippi State, LSU. How many wins are in there for Arkansas? They need five to get to a bowl game -- is that completely out of reach at this point? And if so, do they get rid of John L. Smith now to placate the fan base or continue to ride things out until the end of the season?

Could Ole Miss actually get to a bowl game? The Rebels blew out Tulane on Saturday, which doesn't mean they're a great football team but does make them look like something approaching competent. "Competent" might be enough to get to the postseason in the SEC this year. Ole Miss is 3-1, with games against Texas A&M, Auburn, at Arkansas and against Vanderbilt still on deck. The other games are at Alabama, at Georgia, at LSU and against Mississippi State, but we'll leave those in the "upset / gravy" category for now.

What do you make of Mississippi State? The Bulldogs are undefeated, but those wins are against Jackson State, Auburn, Troy and South Alabama. So are they for real, do you need information, or do you think Dan Mullen has constructed a smoke-and-mirrors facade that will crumble when State gets into the meat of the SEC schedule?