re: The most disappointing aspect of the schedule isn't just the East opponents....

Great post. Notwithstanding, Arkansas has the toughest stretch.

@Rutgers
Texas A&M
@Florida
South Carolina
@Alabama

Auburn has nice cupcakes and byes mixed in their schedule, but when the state of their program is considered, their schedule is arguably just as tough as yours.

Florida has their schedule organized well, but as far as opponents are concerned, it's just as good as yours if not better.

Poor, poor Kentucky
Louisville
Bye
Florida
@South Carolina
Alabama

Ole Miss has it tough too.
@Texas
Bye
@Alabama
@Auburn
Texas A&M
LSU
Yeah, that's more brutal than LSU's stretch considering we're talking about Ole Miss here. They played teams tough later in the season and were 3 plays away from a 9-3 record with wins over Texas A&M, LSU, and Vanderbilt.

Mississippi State ends the season hard and their opener is no joke.
@South Carolina
@Texas A&M
Alabama
@Arkansas
Ole Miss

Missouri has a killer stretch too.
@Vanderbilt
@Georgia
Florida
South Carolina
Tennessee
3 weeks later they've got @Ole Miss then Texas A&M.

Tennessee has it tough too.
@Oregon
@Florida
cupcake
Georgia
Bye
South Carolina
@Alabama
@Missouri
Auburn

Out of all the teams I just listed, LSU and Florida are far ahead of the pack. LSU isn't rebuilding and shouldn't complain too much, for you are not alone.

Also, the Alabama game cost you the division last season. Victory was within reach, and you let it go. I know Florida gave you a loss but don't act like that was the end of you season. If you defeated Alabama and won the rest of your games, then you would have played Georgia in the SEC Championship for a second year straight for a chance to make back to back BCSNCG appearances.

You're LSU. The other teams I mentioned save Florida are the ones whom should be worried.

Why do you think the SEC was unaware that they were putting it to the Tigers?