As recent history shows, the Southeastern Conference has had some of the finest teams in the nation. Loaded from top to bottom, the SEC boasts everything from Heisman contenders to dark horses to upset specials.
Yet within the conference is a battle in itself-the East vs. the West. Which division is stronger? Well, we can not make mention of success in the SEC without discussing the good ole West.
    I’ll admit, the SEC East used to be a powerhouse. In Spurrier’s fun ‘n’ gun era, Florida dominated not only the Eastern division, but also the conference. But, Spurrier departed, only to return with a sub-par team. Expect South Carolina to maybe make some noise years down the line, just not now.
    In the past four seasons, the SEC West has claimed the conference title three times, mostly in dominating fashion.
    Nothing will change in the years to come as once again, the West will prove why it’s not only better than the East, but one of the better divisions in the nation.
    Auburn is coming off a spotless 13-0 season. LSU is just two years removed from a national championship, and Alabama coach Mike Shula has the Crimson Tide on the rise. Throw in Mississippi State’s Sylvester Croom and a defensive guru in Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron, and you’ve got a winner.
    In 2004, Florida’s Ciatrick Fason led the conference in rushing with 1,267 yards. Now, Fason is long gone, opening the door for the one and only Jerious Norwood of Miss St.
    Norwood ranked second last season with 95.5 yards a game, along with seven touchdowns and 1,050 yards. Norwood also blasted the Gators defense last season, rushing for 174 yards en route to MSU’s 38-31 upset over Florida.
    With the combination of Norwood at MSU, along with LSU’s Joseph Addai, Justin Vincent and Shryone Carey, the West has an advantage in the backfield. And don’t forget about Alabama’s Kenneth Darby, who finished fourth in the conference last season with 1,062 yards.
    Last season’s conference leader in receiving yards per game, South Carolina’s Troy Williamson, is long gone. The East is also without Georgia’s Reggie Brown and Fred Gibson, along with Florida’s O.J. Small.
    This is when LSU’s talented receivers come in handy with plans of dominating the conference.
    Both LSU’s Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis ranked in the conference’s top 10 in yards per game last season. They’ve both returned with a healthy Skyler Green. Florida’s Andre Cadwell and Chad Jackson are the only top 10 receivers returning in the East.
    Defensively, the West has always proven to be a strong conference, putting the likes of LSU’s Marcus Spears and Auburn’s Carlos Rogers in the NFL draft’s first round last year.
    The Eastern division lost some of its top defensive players last season, including Georgia’s David Pollack and Thomas Davis and Tennessee’s Kevin Burnett. The West, however, returns LSU’s LaRon Landry, who ranked sixth in the conference in tackles in 2004. And don’t forget about Auburn’s Stanley McGlover, who completed the 2004 season with eight sacks as a sophomore.
    When all is said and done, the SEC’s western division stacks up statistically. With two new coaches in Orgeron and LSU’s Les Miles, both proven talents, look for the West to remain at the top of the mountain for years to come.
 
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