re: Where does LSU rank in SEC west starting next year?

Probably 3-4.

Bama is going to get the benefit of the doubt until it is shown that they can lose more than 1 SEC game on a regular basis.

AU is going to have to replace their QB, RB and one (maybe two) WRs. Malzahn will get the benefit of the doubt because he took a former DB and continued to have his offense humming. Also, folks will thin Muschamp will turn that defense around (TBD)

Ark. is a question mark. They looked pretty good all year (even in losses) and came on late. Is that enough to put them as a SEC favorite, who knows?

OM and State are losing a lot, not the least of which (probably), experienced QBs. Plus two of OM's best players suffered bad broken legs this season. Will they be the same coming back from injury?

Many will think that Chavis makes the A&M defense legit (I have my doubts that any DC can make a spread-offense team have a great defense).

LSU returns a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball. The question is whether the coaching staff is competent enough to do something with the very talented roster. 1. Who is the DC? 2. Does Miles finally wake up and realize that there has to be significant changes in the way they do things on offense?