Crimson Red Sports

I just returned from Destin and not only did the trip provide some sun tanny skin, it also provided some time to spend with Phil Steele’s 2012 College Football Preview.

Each year with Steele’s book is no different. When I first pick it up, I’m overwhelmed. But slowly the information begins to sink in and after a while, some ideas about the season begin to rise to the surface.

This season, one of the first things to ferment was the toughest three game stretch for each SEC team. By my definition, the “toughest three game stretch” means three successive games with no bye weeks included. It’s during this three game stretch when seasons are usually made or lost.

In reality, some of the teams face some pretty tough four and five games stretches as well. Those have been included where applicable.

Here’s a look at the toughest stretches for the SEC West teams, in order from toughest to the easiest:

1) Mississippi State Bulldogs – 10/27 @ Alabama, 11/3 Texas A&M, 11/10 @ LSU, 11/17 ..........

7) Alabama Crimson Tide – 10/27 Mississippi State, 11/3 @LSU, 11/10 Texas A&M.
 
Two of these three games are very winnable, but will still be tough. The November 3rd showdown with LSU will most likely be the game of the season again this year.  And, thankfully, most of the Tide’s opponents don’t have bye weeks before they play the Tide this year.