LSU versus Alabama might not be a No. 1 versus No. 2 matchup, but for the sake of my Southeastern Conference power rankings, it is.

After Georgia took the reigns of the SEC East after beating Florida on Saturday, the winner of the Tigers and the Crimson Tide will not only have bragging rights, but also a stranglehold on the West.

1. Alabama (8-0)

Somebody forgot to tell the Crimson Tide that Mississippi State was undefeated, or they just didn’t care.

After scoring 257 points in their first seven contests, Alabama held the Bulldogs to only seven points on Saturday. The Crimson Tide has outscored its opponents 325-65 this season.

All that won’t matter if they fall victim to the magic that is Saturday night in Death Valley.

Last Week: 1 (Beat Mississippi State 38-7)

2. LSU (7-1)

The moment everyone has been waiting for is finally here. LSU has two possible outcomes: win against Alabama and sit atop the SEC West, or lose and most likely find itself in the Cotton Bowl.

Coach Les Miles said in his weekly press luncheon on Monday the Tigers were going to throw the ball better. Cross your fingers, Tiger fans.

Last Week: 3 (bye)

3. Georgia (7-1)

Winning ugly is a necessity in the SEC, and that’s exactly what the Dawgs accomplished on Saturday.

Getting thrashed by South Carolina in Week 6 might have been the best thing that ever happened to coach Mark Richt. If the Dawgs can take care of Ole Miss and Auburn (Lolz) all roads lead to the SEC Championship in Atlanta, Ga.

Last Week: 5 (Beat Florida 17-9)

4. Florida (7-1)

Florida must not have gotten the memo that suffering your first loss late in the season is the worst thing that can happen.

Instead of being undefeated with only Missouri to beat for the SEC East crown, the Gators fell apart at the seams against Georgia last weekend.

Last Week: 2 (Lost to Georgia 17-9)

5. South Carolina (7-2)

The story of the weekend was the gruesome injury suffered by Gamecocks junior running back Marcus Lattimore. If you haven’t seen it, don’t watch. It’s disgusting.

It’s a huge blow to South Carolina, who was already in a slump, to lose its best offensive player and one of its motivational leaders.

Last Week: 4 (Beat Tennessee 38-35)

6. Texas A&M (6-2)

Let’s not put too much stock into the 63 points the Aggies dropped on Auburn. Gene Chizik’s crew makes everyone look good.

Going to Mississippi State and Alabama in its next two contests will be a little harder than Texas A&M’s trip to Auburn.

Last Week: 7 (Beat Auburn 63-21)

7. Mississippi State (7-1)

To steal a line from former Arizona Cardinals coach Dennis Green, “They are who we thought they were.” Only Alabama didn’t let the Bulldogs off the hook.

That easy schedule that led to Mississippi State’s undefeated record only gets tougher in the coming weeks.

Last Week: 6 (Lost to Alabama 38-7)

8. Ole Miss (5-3)

Never thought I would say that the Rebel Black Bears are one win away from being bowl eligible. Despite being in a conference with some of the best coaches in America, Hugh Freeze deserves some votes for SEC Coach of the Year.

Last Week: 8 (Beat Arkansas 30-27)

9. Vanderbilt (4-4)

Someone tell the Commodores to stop winning or else coach James Franklin will bolt after this season.

Last Week: 10 (Beat Massachusetts 49-7)

10. Arkansas (3-5)

Don’t worry Hogs fans, there’s only four games left in this season. Then you can forget it forever.

Last Week: 9 (Lost to Ole Miss 30-27)

11. Tennessee (3-5)

The Vols almost came back to beat South Carolina on Saturday. Unfortunately, almost doesn’t count.

Last Week: 11 (Lost to South Carolina 38-35)

12. Missouri (4-4)

Congratulations, it only took Mizzou five games to get its first SEC win. It’s OK, not everyone is good at old man football.

Last Week: 12 (Beat Kentucky 33-10)

13. Kentucky (1-8)

Kentucky might have lost to Missouri, but it won in my power rankings by moving out of the No. 14 spot. Now tell Auburn thank you.

Last Week: 14 (Lost to Missouri 33-10)

14. Auburn (1-7)

The only thing that could make this season worse for Auburn would be if someone shot the War Eagle out of the sky.

Last Week: 13 (Lost to Texas A&M 63-21)