Mississippi jokes aren’t funny anymore.
After years of living in the bottom of the Southeastern Conference, Mississippi State and Ole Miss have ascended to the top of the AP Poll. The only thing more terrifying than MSU’s offense is the Ole Miss defense, and it could set up for the greatest Egg Bowl in the rivalry’s history.
Both team’s schedules feature dangerous teams who could hinder an undefeated duel in Oxford, but that’s the nature of the SEC. There’s a great deal of carnage to come, and taking any game (sans Vanderbilt) for granted would be unwise. 
1. Mississippi State, Prev. 2 (6-0, 3-0 SEC)
Few things are more intimidating than being 21 points ahead in the first half. The Bulldogs are getting pretty consistent at that. 
The best part about Dan Mullen’s offense is the speed and expansive playbook that causes opposing defenses to struggle in the first quarter. This typically leads to large early leads and opponents’ offenses having to change strategy. 
After beating two consecutive top-10 teams, MSU gets an easy stretch with a bye week and three unranked opponents. Expect the Bulldogs’ offense to continue rolling and for junior quarterback Dak Prescott to build his
Heisman candidacy.
2. Ole Miss, Prev. 3 (6-0, 3-0 SEC)
This is the same football program LSU beat 52-3 just three years ago. One might say coach Hugh Freeze has made positive changes.
It has taken good recruiting, player development and the installation of a new offense, but Freeze has created a reversal in The Grove. Nobody has solved the Rebels’ swarming defense yet, leaving their offense with plenty of opportunities to strike. 
Senior quarterback Bo Wallace looks better after each week, and Ole Miss’s most difficult opponents are home games. If the Rebels keep playing the way they have the last few weeks, this season could be historic. 
3. Auburn, Prev. 1 (5-1, 2-1 SEC)
It doesn’t matter how perfect an offense seems — if it commits turnovers on the road, the chance of victory is slim. 
Auburn committed four turnovers its 38-23 loss to Mississippi State on Saturday, with most of the giveaways either leading to Bulldog points or coming deep in their territory. It didn’t help that Prescott stood on the other side of the ball, ready to strike on any and all mistakes.
Auburn’s season is not over, but it probably needs to run the table and receive some help if it wants a chance at the College Football Playoff. Its schedule still features road games against three top-10 teams, so betting on Gus Malzahn’s team is unwise.
4. Alabama, Prev. 4 (5-1, 2-1 SEC)
Nick Saban may be coaching an average team this season. I’m going to file that statement under “Signs of the Apocalypse.”
In a development surprising to few, Lane Kiffin is struggling at coaching football. His offense lacked structure or direction for a second consecutive week as the Tide hung on for a 14-13 win at Arkansas. 
Luckily for Alabama, the Hogs botched a field goal, had an extra point blocked and fumbled on the goal line. Those mistakes won’t happen everywhere, and the Tide could be headed for a middling and foreign
season.
5. Georgia, Prev. 5 (5-1, 3-1 SEC)
Georgia ran its entire team through junior running back Todd Gurley for six weeks. It proved last Saturday it can win without him.
After Gurley was suspended indefinitely from the team Oct. 9, UGA managed to demolish Missouri, 34-0, in Columbia to take full control of the SEC East. Gurley’s backups accounted for 210 rushing yards, and the defense forced five turnovers and held Mizzou to 147 yards.
Georgia may lose a few more games, but it would need to collapse to lose the East. Expect another trip to Atlanta for Mark Richt and his team. 
6. Texas A&M, Prev. 6 (5-2, 2-2 SEC)
The Aggies may be showing their true colors the last two weeks after allowing 83 points to the two Mississippi teams. Kevin Sumlin’s system is good, but nothing can keep up with that type of inconsistency. 
The schedule does not get easier as A&M travels to Alabama on Saturday. The Aggies don’t have Johnny Football to save them this week, so things may get ugly.
7. LSU, Prev. 11 (5-2, 1-2 SEC)
The Tigers looked like a competent team in last Saturday’s 30-27 victory against Florida. It’s amazing what a functioning front seven can do for a team. 
LSU is full of freshmen and sophomores, so they’re going to improve and develop as the season goes along. The depressing season predictions of last week are a little brighter, and the team still has the potential to pull an upset or two. 
8. Kentucky, Prev. 9 (5-1, 2-1 SEC)
Ladies and gentlemen, behold the second-best team in the SEC East, the Kentucky Wildcats.
Kentucky is a triple-overtime loss from being undefeated this season, and talk has shifted from a potential bowl to a potential SEC East title. UK has balance on offense and defense, and it should give LSU a good fight this Saturday. Tigers fans will be entertained if they go.
One might assume this season is a fluke, but look at the development of Ole Miss and MSU. The Wildcats are rising, and it’ll be interesting to see where
they go.
9. Arkansas, Prev. 8 (3-3, 0-3 SEC)
Sadly, Arkansas fans saw their team blow another one Saturday, losing its 15th consecutive SEC game in the process. 
Even more depressing, most of those fans have to live in Arkansas year-round.

10. Missouri, Prev. 7 (4-2, 1-1 SEC)
It’s pretty baffling how this team managed to stay ranked for so long. Its best win is against an atrocious South Carolina team, and losses to a Gurley-less Georgia and Indiana say a lot. 
No part of the team appeared functioning against Georgia, and a seven-win season is probably on the horizon. It’s what happens when a team has to replace nearly all its starters from the season before. 
11. South Carolina, Prev. 10 (3-3, 2-3 SEC)
The Gamecocks beating East Carolina and Georgia on consecutive weeks may be the weirdest thing that has happened all season. Beyond that, USC has gone 1-3 with a 14-point win against Vanderbilt as its only point of
pride. 
A bowl season without Steve Spurrier seems improbable, but with this putrid team, anything is possible.
12. Tennessee, Prev. 12 (3-3, 0-2 SEC)
The Vols play at Ole Miss and home against Alabama in consecutive weeks starting Saturday. I would advise Tennessee fans to sleep through the carnage and wait for the game against Vanderbilt at the end of the season.
 
13. Florida, Prev. 13 (3-2, 2-2 SEC)
Maybe the Gators could create an offense not requiring a quarterback. The system might not be effective, but it wouldn’t require junior quarterback Jeff Driskel, and it would be pretty fun to watch. Call up the scientists, Will Muschamp. You have the technology.
14. Vanderbilt, Prev. 14 (2-5, 0-4 SEC)
The Commodores hung on for a 21-20 victory against Charleston Southern at home Saturday. Sadly, one might consider it progress.
Tommy Romanach is a 22-year-old mass communication senior from Dallas, Texas. You can reach him on Twitter @troman_92.