5-at-10: SEC asked and answered, NFL power poll, True-or-False Tuesday

1) Mississippi State (8-0, 5-0; vs. UT-Martin, 4 p.m.): Will Dan Mullen be in Starkville next year?

2) Alabama (7-1, 4-1; at LSU, 8 p.m.): Is this the biggest test left for the Tide? That's a tough considering Alabama has dates with top-ranked Mississippi State and No. 3-ranked Auburn left later this month, but each of those games is in Tuscaloosa, where the Tide offense has been staggering. Either way, Alabama is one of about 10 teams that completely controls its destiny. The math is simple: Win out and go to the playoffs, and that's all you can ask for.

photo Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn

3) Auburn (7-1, 4-1; vs. Texas A&M, 3:30 p.m.): Is Auburn the luckiest team in the country or the most clutch? We say yes. And yes. Auburn has gotten some serious good fortune in its 19-3 run under Gus Malzahn. But Auburn also has made a ton of big plays in massive moments, too. And we've always believed that more times than not, well-coached and prepared teams make their own breaks. Lucky or well-prepared? The true for the Tigers is likely some of each.

4) LSU (7-2, 3-2; vs. Alabama, 8 p.m.): Can LSU get back in the title mix? It's extremely unlike since the Tigers' two losses are to teams ahead of them in the standings so they'd need Auburn to lose twice and Mississippi State to lose at least two conference games and hope for some tie-breaking magic. Still, the October transformation for Les Miles' bunch has been impressive.

5) Ole Miss (7-2, 4-2; vs. Presbyterian, noon): Was Ole Miss' 35-31 loss to Auburn arguably the most painful in program history? It's certainly on the short list, considering the stakes (Ole Miss still had control of its destiny before the defeat), the scenario (two lost fumbles inside in the Auburn 7 in the final six minutes) and the injury to Laquon Treadwell. Man, the roller coaster of college football can turn in any direction at any time.

6) Georgia (6-2, 4-2; at Kentucky, noon): Speaking of quick and unexpected turns, who had Georgia dropping that kind of stinker in Jacksonville? Man, Florida looked like mid-1990s Nebraska, lining up and running the same set of rushing plays over and over and over and churning up yards. Hey, this just in, Florida just broke another 14-yard run at right tackle.

7) Missouri (7-2, 4-1; off): Is there any way the SEC champ doesn't get into the College Football Playoff? Ladies and gentlemen, meet your 2014 Missouri Tigers, who have the inside track to represent the East in Atlanta. If Missouri gets to the Georgia Dome and wins, there's a real chance the Tigers, who lost at home to Big Ten stink pot Indiana and got hammered at home by Georgia, will not make the four.

8) Texas A&M (6-3, 2-3; at Auburn, 3:30 p.m.): Is Kevin Sumlin's seat getting warm? Probably not considering the situation and the elite-level recruiting that Sumlin and his staff have done, but man that's a lot of stinky for a guy make $5 million.

photo Will Muschamp

9) Florida (4-3, 3-3; at Vandy, 7:30 p.m.): Did that overly impressive win save Will Muschamp's job? It's a definite maybe considering a loss would have made him Dead Boom Walking. Now the Gators have a chance to stabilize the recruiting a little bit and roll off a few wins - Vandy, a reeling South Carolina and Eastern Kentucky - before facing a trip to FSU. And yes, the outcome in Tallahassee will carry great weight in the national title picture and the personal fortunes of the Muschamp clan.

10) Kentucky (5-4, 2-3; vs. Georgia, noon): Could the Wildcats be staring at a 5-1 start becoming a 5-7 finish? It's certainly possible. Kentucky has Georgia, then Tennessee (with the Vols coming off a bye), and open week and then a trip to Louisville. Man, this could get interesting.

11) Tennessee (4-5, 1-4; off): If Josh Dobbs does not have a good off week in practice, do you think he may lose his job as the Vols quarterback? Let's ask Allen Iverson. "Practice? We're talking 'bout practice." Thanks Allen. Dobbs has flipped the emotional state of an entire fan base with seven impressive quarters of football, including a record-setting performance against a reeling South Carolina defense. But that's the nature of the instant overreact culture of modern sports. Still, here's hoping Dobbs can continue his fun-to-watch style - and that he hustles between 7-on-7 stations in practice.

photo South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier.

12) South Carolina (4-5, 2-5; off): Could Steve Spurrier retire after the end of this debacle? It could very well happen. Spurrier will be 70 next April and these Gamecocks are arguably the most disappointing team in the country. We certainly hope this is not the end for Spurrier, who is arguably the most entertaining star coach in the game. But we certainly could see that happening.

13) Arkansas (4-5, 0-5; off): OK, as much as we have been on the Arkansas' "we're-so-close" bandwagon, will this bunch ever win an SEC game? After this week's open date, the razorbacks get visits from LSU, Ole Miss and then have a trip to Missouri. There could be a win or two in there. There could be three losses in there. And the "we're-so-close" bandwagon completely is derailed if the Hogs are bagel-and-8 in the SEC again.

14) Vandy (3-6, 0-5; vs. Florida, 7:30 p.m.): Can the Commodores win another game? Let's ask the Magic 8-ball: Shake, shake, shake... "Not likely." Hey, we can see that. Nice work, 8.

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NFL Power Poll

We're halfway through the NFL season (and a step beyond for some clubs who have not had their bye week yet).

That makes it a perfect time to assemble an awards list.

photo Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) throws a pass in the first half his game against the New England Patriots on Nov. 2, 2014, in Foxborough, Mass.

MVP: We'll go off the board and say Andrew Luck. There are a lot of folks who think Manning, Brady or Rodgers, and all of those picks are fine. But all of those guys have more options than Luck, who is propping up a defense and has turned 5-foot-9 T.Y. Hilton into a go-to wide out.

Defensive player of the year: Easiest pick of all, since J.J. Watt actually is in the MVP discussion in a QB-driven league and playing for a team that likely won't make the playoffs.

Offensive player of the year: Not sure why there's ever a debate between the MVP and the offensive player of the year, but if we're going to give a shootout to Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray, who will top 2,000 yards rushing if he stays healthy.

Coach of the year: Arizona's Bruce Arians, who simply has the Cardinals atop the most demanding division in the league and with the best record in the league. Yes, the Cardinals.

Offensive rookie of the year: Zach Martin, the Dallas guard who was picked in the slot where Jerry Jones wanted Johnny Football, has been the final piece in arguably the league's best offensive line.

Defensive rookie of the year: C.J. Mosely is an every-down linebacker for Baltimore who leads them with 76 tackles.

Power poll

1) New England (7-2). Tom Brady now has 51,541 career passing yards, moving past John Elway into fifth all-time with his 33-yard, four-TD performance in the Patriots 43-21 win over Denver. Does any current-day team in pro sports have more mystique than the Patriots? Discuss.

2) Arizona (7-1). This is the NFL, and say it with it us, "You are what your record says your are." And in that narrative, the Cardinals are the best team in the NFL - they are 7-1 for the first time in 40 years, and they are built in a similar fashion as last year's Super Bowl champion Seattle. Strong defense that stifles the run and leans on talented defensive backs in press coverage. An array of playmakers that carry an offense around a serviceable quarterback. Plus, we need to get comfortable in the knowledge that Arians is on the Rushmore of best current-day NFL head coaches.

3) Denver (6-2). The Broncos are still very much in the mix and are among the elite teams in the league. That said, the importance of home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs was magnified in Sunday's flogging in Foxboro.

4) Pittsburgh (6-3). Big Ben Roethlisberger has had a two-week stretch that would make even Manning go, "Man, those are some serious stats." Big Ben has 12 TDs and a QB rating in the high 140s as the Steelers have moved into the discussion of a very top-heavy and competitive AFC.

5) Indianapolis (6-3). Mr. Luck, your time is now. Your pieces will only improve, but if you are going to take the step, well, those are forged with stats and stardom in January. Live long and prosper young one. You will be the face of the Shield sooner rather than later.

photo Football tile

Bottom five

27 (tie)) Altanta/Tennessee (2-6). A tie among the two franchises closest to the 423. And other than the strengths of the two teams - Atlanta has a quarterback and a defense that would give up 30-points a game in Division II; Tennessee has a scrappy defense and a solid offensive line but has had lingering QB questions since Steve McNair left town - these clubs are very similar. Find ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Check. Underachievers in big moments. Check. Dragging near the bottom of the worst divisions in each conference. Discount double check. Side note: How nice was last weekend when both the Falcons and the Titans had byes and we got a full slate of actual good and fun NFL football?

29) Tampa Bay (1-7). There now are reports that head coach Lovie Smith may be in trouble in Tampa. Did we mention that this is Smith's first season in Tampa? Hey, Bucs, ask Oakland about the 15-month coaching roulette cycle and how that works.

30) New York Jets (1-8). Speaking of coaching roulette, Rex Ryan's time in NYC is all-but over, and he will be a much coveted defensive coordinator at the NFL level. But how's this for a crazy idea: What if Michigan went after the charismatic defensive genius? We believe that Rex Ryan could be an elite recruiter and dude would either be a home run hire or a complete and total bust - and in truth, isn't that what you want.

31) Jacksonville (1-8). Who knew they still had a team in Jacksonville? Side note: Have you seen the pools in the stadium? How sweet is that? Embrace the Sunshine State aura friend. Or as the most interesting fan in the world would say, "We don't always prefer to swim at NFL games, but when we do, it's in Jacksonville." Stay thirsty Jags fans.

32) Oakland (0-8). There's something to be said for being the NFL's model of consistency the last four years, even if it's consistently terrible, and it's not really a surprise why considering the last Raiders' first-round pick that became a Pro Bowl player in Oakland was Nnamdi Asomugha, who was picked 31st overall in 2003. (And to make matters worse, the Raiders took some cat named Fabian Washington with pick 23 in the first round of 2005. Pick No. 24? Some dude named Aaron Rodgers. Maybe you've heard of him.)

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A-Rod

As baseball free agency start to get interesting and clubs make qualifying offers to some of their players, well, everyone say hello to A-Rod.

photo New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez reacts after striking out against the Los Angeles Angels in New York in this Aug. 13, 2013, file photo.

You remember him, right? The guy that looked on track to reset every record ever and then the guy who became arguably the biggest clown superstar since Bozo was doing the show on WGN.

Now comes a story that A-Rod paid his cousin $1 million to keep quiet.

Hey, A-Rod, we'll stop talking about you for way less.

Man, it's impossible to say how much we did NOT miss this clown prince during his suspension since we're already tired of him and the baseball season is what, at least months from Opening Day.

Welcome back... Now go away.

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This and that

- Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov said he was not mad at former coach Jason Kidd, who bolted out of nowhere and headed to Milwaukee. Prokhorov did say he'd get even with Kidd, and since Prokhorov, a Russian oil and energy billionaire who allegedly has Russia mob ties, well, that seems a little more intense that Mark Cuban saying he'd get even with you. Maybe Proko will make Kidd an offer he can't refuse.

- Team owner Roger Penske says other drivers are envious at Brad Keselowski's success. Riiiigggghhhttttt. That's the second most loaded argument out there, the whole "you don't like us because you're jealous" bit. Sure, that's it Roger, and it has absolutely, positively nothing to do with Brad being an total crap hat. Keep telling yourself that Rog. (Side note: The line of argument we hate the most is the "Denial is the first part of the problem" because by that logic all it takes is for someone to ask if you have a problem and you have a problem because either you say, "Yes, I have a problem," or you say "No, I'm good, " and denial is the first sign of the problem. My head hurts.)

- Five-star defensive end prospect CeCe Jefferson's Twitter account announced he had committed to FSU on Monday. Jefferson then went back to the social media avenue and said he had not committed and it was his teammates playing a joke on Twitter. What is this "Johnny Be Good 2.0" or something?

photo South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore (21) races for a touchdown against Georgia durin their SEC East showdown last year in Athens, Ga.

- Marcus Lattimore retired this week, citing the lingering problems from the knee injuries his suffered in college. Dude was a hose - and by all accounts a great kid - and here's hoping he finds his way. Man, that 2010 recruiting class of stud-duck running backs - Lattimore, Mike Dyer and Lache Seastrunk - have all run into some life hurdles.

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Today's question

It will be a true-of-false Tuesday on Press Row and we're willing to start earlier.

Here are three true-or-false questions, and here, when you answer one, you have to follow it with a true-or-false question of your own. Deal? Deal.

T-or-F: The SEC will have three teams in the top four tonight.

T-or-F: Ralph Macchio, who turns 53 today, gave his greatest acting performance in Karate Kid.

T-or-F: If the NFL redrafted all the players in the league, Andrew Luck would be the No. 1 overall pick.

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