Aggies Opportunity? SEC West Wide Open After 3 Weeks

Perennial SEC powerhouses Alabama and Georgia each got off to slow starts in their week three matchups against lacking competition, only further contributing to the "openness" of the conference so far.

With Texas A&M's offense firing on all cylinders through three weeks, the real test for the Aggies in the SEC opener against Auburn will be figuring out the defensive woes. 

Which, if they're able to do so, will keep in the conversation for an SEC West title.

It's been a mixed bag for the SEC West schools so far this season. LSU, the odds-on favorite to win the West, looked strong this past weekend in a 41-14 win against Mississippi State on the road. 

However, just two weeks ago, they were picked apart by Florida State in a neutral-site game 45-25. Quarterback Jayden Daniels has looked outstanding so far, so it will be up to the Tiger defense to figure things out for LSU. They'll face unranked Arkansas in Death Valley this weekend. Arkansas is looking to avenge a home loss to BYU in their last matchup.

It's been way worse for 13th-ranked Alabama, which is still struggling to find a starting quarterback, flipping back to Jalen Milroe this week after Tyler Buchner and the offense looked miserable against South Florida last Saturday. They have another tough test this weekend against Lane Kiffin's 3-0 Ole Miss squad.

The 15th-ranked Rebels have looked like serious contenders in the West up to this point in the season. Ole Miss got a key win in week two on the road against 24th-ranked Tulane as quarterback Jaxon Dart looked dominant. Dart, along with running back Quinshon Judkins, should he be healthy, will lead the high-powered Rebel offense into Tuscaloosa this weekend looking for an upset

As for the Aggies, SEC play starts with a favorable matchup as they play the aforementioned Auburn Tigers, who, despite a 3-0 record, are bottom feeders of the division according to oddsmakers. 

If the Aggies can take care of business at home and show signs of correcting the defensive mistakes that cost them the Miami game, they will have just as good of a chance as any to contend in the West.