Is it weird that I almost want to call Kentucky as the surprise team out of the East? They are riding a bit of momentum from the end of last year. Plus they are bring back their starting QB, two 1,000 yard rushers, and a better defense than Mizzou. (Although neither one is much to write home about) The thing about UK I find intriguing is their schedule. They only have to face Ole Miss and @Miss St as their cross-divisional draws. If Ole Miss falls as hard as I expect, they could be the doormat of the west. MSU is tracking in the right direction, but it's still a far more winnable game than us or LSU. They also have the benefit of playing Florida and Tennessee at home. I'd never have the guts to predict it, but I will say that's as favorable as an SEC schedule can get.
In comparison, Mizzou has both Auburn and @Arkansas. I can't imagine Mizzou being as bad as they were last year, but I feel like their ceiling is about 7 games. As bad as the East could be though, first one to win 8 games might win the whole shebang.
Either way, I'm ready for the next 5 months to pass so we can get the games back. This spring football has been a really poor substitute for the real thing.