Ole Miss Football 2017: 3 Takeaways from loss to LSU in Week 8

1. LSU could win the SEC West

With the win over the Rebels the Tigers improved to 6-2 and 3-1 in the SEC. Their two losses have been brutal, but only one of those losses came in conference play. The Troy loss was embarrassing. The Mississippi State debacle was painful, but when it comes to conference standings, that’s the only the loss that counts against them.

That means that while they haven’t looked like the creme of the crop, the Tigers are not only mathematically, but actually alive in the SEC West hunt. The SEC West looks to be a four team race. At least, that’s how many teams are within one game of first place at the conclusion of Saturday’s games.

Auburn, whom LSU has already beaten, will move to 4-1 after defeating Arkansas in Week 8. Texas A&M, who has yet to beat LSU since joining the SEC, is tied with the Tigers at 3-1.

Next: Latest 2018 NFL Mock Draft entering Week 8

Then there’s Alabama. Obviously the odds to win the West heavily favor of the Crimson Tide. But all it takes is a few good bounces and an off day from the Crimson Tide for an upset to occur. We’ve already seen Clemson, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Washington and Washington State fall from the ranks of the unbeaten to worse opponents than the Tigers. It might not be probable, but the Tigers are legitimate contenders in the SEC West.