SEC West Predictions Based on the Mascot Theory

Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports

Semifinals: No. 7 Arkansas vs. No. 1 Alabama

Our razorback friend comes in after a defeat of the Mississippi State bulldog. It is confident as it heads into the ring until it sees the elephant in the room. Literally. The elephant is the equivalent of Floyd Mayweather in the mascot bracket. The combination of size and power is hard to match up with.

The tusks of the razorback can certainly do damage, but it finds itself in a match with an elephant that also has tusks. Uh oh. The razorback goes for the legs early, but does little to hurt the elephant. Especially, an elephant that is rested after a first round bye. Roll Tide.

Bret Bielema has brought a new energy and swagger to Arkansas. Bielema rocking the Yeezys at SEC Media Days didn’t hurt either. Arkansas and Tennessee have to be the most talked about 7-6 teams in recent memory. For good reason. According to Phil Steele, the team has 15 returning starters. This includes senior quarterback Brandon Allen.

Last year’s team is best known for what it almost did. They were within a point of beating Alabama. They did have wins over Ole Miss and LSU. However, if they really want to make noise in the vaunted SEC West they are going to have to do more than that this season to take the next step. They have the experience and the coaching staff to do just that on paper. Now, the Razorbacks must continue to turn that talent into production on the field.

No. 1 Alabama advances

Next: Tigers vs Rebels