College Football Playoff: Where we are halfway through the season

Oct 10, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs for an 87-yard touchdown during the third quarter of a game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Southeastern Conference (SEC)

AP ranked teams: LSU (6), Florida (8), Alabama (10), Ole Miss (13)

Undefeated teams: LSU (5-0), Florida (6-0)

Divisions: East vs. West

Division leaders:
East: 1. Florida (4-0 in conference) 2. Kentucky (2-1 in conference)
West: 1. LSU (3-0 in conference) 2. Texas A&M (2-0 in conference)

Florida is the surprise of the SEC so far. They are in the driver’s seat for the SEC East title with tough games left against LSU this weekend and then Georgia on Oct. 31 and Florida State on Nov. 28. Georgia was the favorite for the East division coming into the season, but they already have two conference losses.

On the other side, LSU has been the most impressive team in the West with both Alabama and Ole Miss taking early conference losses. LSU’s formula has been a stout defense and an unstoppable run game. It will be interesting to see if their unproven passing game can step up if anyone can manage to stop leading Heisman candidate, Leonard Fournette.

Texas A&M is the Florida of the West and will get a chance to prove that they are contenders and not pretenders when they face Alabama this weekend. Speaking of Alabama, they are probably still the most talented team in the SEC. If they can keep their edge, they could still easily win the SEC West and get the playoff bid.

Last week’s playoff relevant results

 No. 8 Alabama 27, Arkansas 14: Arkansas held a 7-3 lead at halftime, but the Crimson Tide were able to pull away definitively in the second half. For a half this was a result that could have helped MSU, but then it didn’t.

No. 11 Florida 21, Missouri 3: Missouri was thought to have a shot at the SEC East prior to the season and Florida imposed their will and Missouri never had a shot.

Tennessee 38, No. 19 Georgia 31: Coming off an embarrassing loss to Florida, Georgia looked like it had bounced back when it took a 24-10 lead in the second quarter. Tennessee was able to come back and win the game and do MSU a solid in the process.

Key conference games this week

• No. 10 Alabama at No. 9 Texas A&M
• No. 8 Florida at No. 6 LSU

Next: Big Ten