SEC: Asked and answered

photo Alabama quarterback Blake Sims talks with offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, left, during what has become an unprecedented early-season offensive display for the longtime national power.
photo SEC Southeastern Conference

1. Alabama (4-0; off this week): How well is the Lane Kiffin experiment going? We'll say off-the-charts good. As much as a collection of Volunteers and Raiders fans who frequent these parts may not want to read it, Alabama offensive coordinator Kiffin is making the most of his chance with the Tide. Dude can call plays and is a real quarterback whisperer. In fact, Kiffin has so expanded and improved the offense, the biggest question mark is the secondary -- the area of expertise of Mr. Saban and Mr. Smart.

2. Auburn (3-0; vs. Louisiana Tech, 4): Did you know the Tigers are pretty salty on defense, too? Everyone knows the Gus Bus runs on high-octane pace, and last Thursday that offense was held to 20 points -- the lowest in Malzahn's tenure as the head coach at Auburn. So the Tigers leaned on a defense that has allowed fewer than 110 yards in the last 10 quarters, including the second half to ground game juggernaut Arkansas.

3. Texas A&M (4-0; vs. Arkansas in Dallas, 3:30): Should Kenny Hill be the Heisman front-runner right now? We'll say not the front-runner -- we'd go Amari Cooper No. 1, then Hill and Todd Gurley right there together at No. 2 and No. 2b -- but he's in the conversation. Raise your hand if you thought All-SEC QB would be between Blake Sims and Hill a third of the way into the season. Didn't think so.

4. Ole Miss (3-0; vs. Memphis, 7:30): Will Ole Miss be ready for the main course after its final appetizer? The Rebels have the Tigers this week before testing an SEC gauntlet that starts with Alabama. Staying healthy -- and conservative -- are goals Nos. 1 and 1b. Then it comes time to go to work.

5. Mississippi State (4-0; open): Was that the biggest win for MSU coach Dan Mullen? We asked him before the season on "Press Row" on ESPN 105.1 about his biggest to that point, and he said the top two were his first Egg Bowl against rival Ole Miss and his return to Florida. We do not want to speak for Dynamite Dan, but the Bulldogs going into Death Valley at night and controlling the game was a statement win by any measure.

6. South Carolina (2-1; vs. Missouri, 7): How great is Steve Spurrier going to be as a TV analyst when he hangs up his visor? It could be off the charts, to tell the truth.

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7. Georgia (2-1; vs. Tennessee, noon): Is there a more crucial position group Saturday than Georgia's linebackers? We don't think so. As much as we love to discuss the Bulldogs' embarrassment of riches at running back, if those linebackers, led by Leonard Floyd and Amarlo Herrera, can create pressure on Justin Worley, it could be a long day for the Vols offense.

8. LSU (3-1; vs. New Mexico State, 7:30): How important is balance? Ask the Tigers, who were shocked by Mississippi State last Saturday night primarily because they are having a difficult time throwing the football. Anthony Jennings is completing only 51.3 percent of his throws, and if SEC defenses can crowd the line of scrimmage, well, good luck with that.

9. Arkansas (3-1; vs. Texas A&M in Dallas, 3:30): What did you just say, and how does that explain Arkansas? There's a difference between not needing to pass and not being able to pass. Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen is averaging only 17.5 passes a game because the Razorbacks' rushing attack is so dominant. When he does throw, he's completing better than 60 percent of his throws, and his 8-to-1 TD-to-interception ratio is second in the league behind Kenny Hill.

10. Missouri (3-1; at South Carolina, 7): What was that, and did Calbert Cheaney and Steve Alford return to school at Indiana? Missouri dropped a sloppy 27-24 loss at home against the Hoosiers, who were housed by Bowling Green the week before.

11. Tennessee (2-1; at Georgia, noon): If Georgia's linebackers are a monster key for the Bulldogs on Saturday, what's Tennessee's biggest group of importance? It would be easy to say the offensive line going against the Bulldogs' front seven, and that certainly would have merit. Still, we'll take the undersized and quick defensive front. Tennessee's front four -- the front seven, in truth -- have to battle Georgia's big O-Line and try to contain the expert firm of Gurley, Chubb and Michel.

12. Florida (2-1; open): What was that, Muschamp? We expected Florida to lose at Alabama, but for a defense crafted and stocked by Will Muschamp to get completely shredded to historic proportions, well, that's inexcusable. It looks like there are going to be two serious big-boy jobs open this offseason, considering Michigan's Brady Hoke is a dead coaching walking and Muschamp's Gators are going to have to completely reverse fortunes now.

13. Kentucky (2-1; vs. Vanderbilt, noon): Is this a must-win for UK? We think so, because breaking down the schedule, if UK -- and UT, for that matter -- are going to get to a bowl game, you have to take care of the ones you are supposed to win. After a bye week, we expect UK to truck Vandy.

14. Vanderbilt (1-3; at Kentucky, noon): Is there any way Vandy can get three tries to return the kickoff rather than three tries to get a first down? After taking two back to the house against South Carolina, Darrius Sims is averaging 36.5 yards on his 10 kickoff returns and is by far the most explosive option the Commodores have.

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