Clearly Texas can make a case for being one of, if not, the best teams in the country after soundly beating Missouri in Columbia on Saturday.

Yet, despite an epic battle with a rebuilding Tennessee team-that required Mt. Cody to Block two field goals with his face mask-and another Florida win, that may have been at least aided by the wild herd of Zebra that has been menacing big-game Gator hunters for the last four weeks, the Tide and fighting Tebows remained unbeaten.

Any of three could be ranked no.1 or no.2 or no.3 but then it gets a little murky. If we are ranking based on body of work or who is playing the best right now or who looks the prettiest in uniform we come up with many different answers.

The Czar, however, chooses to focus on what is important; who is in control of their own destiny and that takes us right to the War Zone in the SEC.

One could make the case that Iowa after surviving again this weekend, TCU for sending BYU on a mission-to find a lid for the industrial sized can of whooping the Frogs opened-and Cincinnati as well as Boise, pending the results of their Luau in Hawaii are still in control of their destiny. Yet, when it is all said and done Texas and an undefeated or even single loss SEC team would likely go ahead of any of them.

So what’s happening in the SEC War Zone?

No. 1 Florida 7-0 (5-0 SEC) @ Mississippi State 3-5 (1-3 SEC)

Is it just me or is Florida a two trick pony?

Trick one-one heck of a defensive unit. Trick two-Tim Tebow.

Not Tim Tebow of Heisman fame mind you, surely he’s not still in contention, but the somewhat mortal and really needing some help version.

Since the running game isn’t providing the help and their really doesn’t seem to be any wide receivers capable of coming to his aid the officials have had to provide the assistance.

In the last four games the officials are 4-0 and coincidentally so are the Gators!

Florida 29 – MSU 19 (But it was much more competitive than the score would suggest.)

Outlook: The Gators have a rough road ahead with the Cocktail party looming and South Carolina on the road before finishing up with FIU and FSU at the Swamp.

They will be tested and cannot continue to rely on bad officiating to get by but with a two game cushion Florida should be the East representative in Atlanta.

Tennessee 3-4 (1-3 SEC) @ No. 2 Alabama 8-0 (5-0 SEC)

Alabama’s offense continues to struggle against stout defenses even as sophomore RB Mark Ingram rushes his way past 1000 yards on the season and perhaps takes another step toward etching his name on the Heisman trophy.

In the end, the Tide needed Tennessee to miss a FG and have two more blocked to escape the upset bid before a much needed bye week.

Alabama 12 – Tennessee 10

Outlook: The Bye week couldn’t come at a better time for Nick Saban and the Alabama offense. Nick Saban said they were tired and just need a little rest.

From what we saw in Death Valley on Saturday Night, the extra week to prepare for Saban Bowl III might just come in handy.

Despite road games @ MSU and Auburn down the road LSU seems to be the only threat to Alabama’s bid to return to Atlanta.

An 11-1 regular season and Sugar Bowl berth might seem like a let-down to some of the Bama faithful but they’ll have a little time to get used to it.

Auburn 5-3 (2-3 SEC) @ No. 9 LSU 6-1 (4-1 SEC)

Things can get a little crazy when the big Cats of the SEC hook up. This time Jordan Jefferson answered the ‘crazy’ fans calling for him to be benched in favor of back up Jarred Lee.

Lee did see some action after Jefferson’s career performance put the game out of reach.

On the other side of the ball the Bayou Bengals defense was spectacular and continues to improve each week under first year coordinator John Chavis.

With one of the best performances of the year by LSU’s defensive front four Auburn QB Chris Todd found himself under pressure constantly and was unable to rely on a usually potent running attack.

LSU held the no. 8 (nationally) offense to less than half of its season average with only 193 total yards and its lowest point production of the season.

This one was all LSU all the time.

LSU 31 – Auburn 10

Outlook: LSU is peaking at the right time; with a home game against drastically over matched Tulane next Saturday Night in Tiger Stadium to prepare for what could be the game of the year on Nov. 7th in Tuscaloosa and Ole Miss the only road games remaining the Bayou Bengals are not out of the national title hunt by any stretch of the imagination.

There is a long way to go and Saban Bowl III is a tall order but don’t sleep on the Mad Hatter, he just might have a little more magic under the brim!

National Outlook:

No doubt Texas, USC, Iowa, Boise State, TCU, Cincinatti and others will still have their say and of course this is college football with about five weeks to play so anything and everything can happen.

Yet, it is hard to argue with the strength of the SEC as the only major conference with two unbeaten teams, three in the top ten and all three still control their own destiny for the BCS.

That being said, Texas looks to be firmly in control of their fate and would provide a sensational matchup for any of the SEC’s big three assuming they survive the conference with no more than one loss.

The Czar’s Destiny Dime (Top-Ten based on their destiny assuming they win out)

1. Texas
2. Alabama
3. Florida
4. LSU
5. Iowa
6. Boise
7. USC
8. Oregon
9. TCU
T10. Cincinnati / Georgia Tech

By Henry Ball (a.k.a. Southern Man – CFB Czar) Featured Columnist and Syndicated Writer

Henry contributes to the Bleacher Report, College Gameday Network and other Sports Media outlets.

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from Getty images

I figured if the NFL could go Pink your ole’ Southern Man could pen a little poetry in honor of all the women in our lives.

It’s also time to take a look at the SEC action for week five.  We are looking at a week that is underrated and will have a lot to say about who is contending and who is pretending.

Let’s start in Jerry’s new Mecca, shall we?

Arkansas 1-2 (0-2 SEC) v. Texas A&M 3-0 (0-0)

Petrino’s Hogs need a big win, this much is true.  But these Aggies are balling and Jerrod Johnson is too.

This kid for the Heisman, you better not laugh.  You can talk Tebow and Mac but just for the Draft. (I’m telling you, if you don’t know this kid you soon will)

TAMU 41 – Arkansas 34

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No.21 Ole’ Mississippi 2-1 (0-1 SEC) @ Vanderbilt 2-2 (0-2 SEC)

The Rebels are yelling, still feeling the hurt.  Can these Vandy Commodores win on their own turf?  Probably Not!

Ole Miss 38 – Vandy 24

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South Carolina State 3-0 (1-0) @ USC 3-1 (1-1 SEC)

The Ole Ball Coach might be looking to poach, but if you sleep on State you might wake up too late.

Close early then Carolina gets Cocky. 

USC 38 – SC State 23

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No.25 Ga. Tech 3-1 (2-1 ACC) @ Mississippi State 2-2 (1-2 SEC) 

The Yellow Jackets run with Paul Johnson’s buzz, but Mississippi state is trying to forget the (goal line) stand that was.

Don’t leave the Dog’s on the porch and they’ll need more cow bell.  But State will be barking, they will bite as well!

UPSET ALERT!

Miss State 24 – GTech 17

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No.1 Florida (Idle)

A rest for the Gators comes none to soon! Will a knock to the super nogen mean impending doom?

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Tennessee 2-2 (0-1) @ Auburn 4-0 (1-0)

Kiffin the younger plans to catch some Zs (ChiZik, MalZahn) @ Rocky Top.

Will Crompton again be a goat or will he finally open the Big Orange pop?

Auburn 41 – UT 24

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No.3 Alabama 4-0 (1-0 SEC) @ Kentucky 2-1 (0-1 SEC)

The Evil Empire takes a trek to the Hills, don’t expect a Blue Grass revolt, the elephant will march at will!

Alabama 100 – UK 3 (It could be worse!)

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No.4 LSU 4-0 (2-0 SEC) @ No.14 UGA 3-1 (2-0 SEC)

Betixt the hedges, it looks like war.  Will the paper Tigers finally roar?

Will the scrappy Dawg have it’s day? I’m afraid not, can you pass the mustard my way?

Hot dawgs, get your hot dawgs!

LSU 37 – UGA 24

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That’s all for now, I’m afraid it’s all I’ve got. Enjoy the weekend, because this Season is getting Hot!

By Henry Ball (a.k.a. Southern Man) Syndicated Writer

Henry contributes to the Bleacher Report, College Gameday Network and other Sports Media outlets.

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

Attendance  Opponent   Date Outcome

1. 93,039   Alabama  Nov. 8, 2008  UA, 27-21 (OT)

2. 92,910   Florida  Oct. 8, 2007 LSU 28-24

3. 92,904   Georgia Oct. 25, 2008 UGA 52-38

4. 92,739   Virginia Tech   Sept. 8, 2007  LSU 48-7

5. 92,710   Mississippi State   Sept. 27, 2008   LSU 34-24

6. 92,664   Auburn Oct. 22, 2005 LSU 20-17 (OT)

7. 92,649   Ole Miss   Nov. 22, 2008   Ole Miss, 31-13

8. 92,606   Arkansas Nov. 23, 2007   Ark. 50-49 (3OT)

9. 92,589   Alabama  Nov. 11, 2006   LSU 28-14

10. 92,530   South Carolina   Sept. 22, 2007   LSU 28-16

(As of the end of the 2008 Season)

Source: LSUSports.net

Sat, Sept 5 – LSU at Washington
Sat, Sept 12 -Vanderbilt at LSU
Sat, Sept 19 – Louisiana-Lafayette at LSU
Sat, Sept 26 – LSU at Mississippi State
Sat, Oct 3 – LSU at Georgia
Sat, Oct 10 – Florida at LSU
Sat, Oct 24 – Auburn at LSU
Sat, Oct 31- Tulane at LSU
Sat, Nov 7 – Alabama at LSU
Sat, Nov 14 – Louisiana Tech at LSU
Sat, Nov 21 – LSU at Mississippi
Sat, Nov 28 – Arkansas at LSU
Sat, Dec 5 – SEC Championship

Source: LSUSports.net