1. South Carolina -- The champs are the champs until they lose. We'll honestly know how good the Gamecocks are this weekend as they play that weird three-game series against Clemson where they play each game in a different city. One game in Charleston, S.C., one in Columbia, and another in Clemson.
2. Florida -- The Gators have been cruising. Just like Carolina, a real pressure test comes this weekend when they travel to nationally-ranked Miami.
3. Georgia -- The Dawgs have looked impressive, and their pitching staff seems like the real deal. The offense needs some work but these low-scoring affairs seem to play into the Red and Black's hands.
4. Arkansas -- The Hogs haven't had much of a test this year. They've had some close calls against Northwestern State and Valpo. We'll continue to believe in the Hogs until that offense shows signs of slowing down.
5. LSU -- Here's a team in flux. LSU just lost a series to Appalachian State, and in the process, was shutout Saturday and only manage to eek out a single run Sunday. We don't know what the offensive woes are for the Bengals but we're confident they will recover.
6. Ole Miss -- We want to believe in the Rebs. We really do. The opening win against TCU was impressive. The sweep of UNC-Wilmington was nice. We just don't know what team we're watching, a schedule product or the real deal.
7. Mississippi State -- The Bullies are the same way as the Rebels. They've looked dominant in their games so far but still dropped a game to Wazzou and needed a walk-off to beat Kansas.
8. Kentucky -- Yum, yum. Powder puffs make Wildcat fans happy.
9. Tennessee -- This could be the biggest story line of the young season. If the Vols can suddenly become surprise contenders in the East, it means the road to Hoover just got a bit tougher for Auburn.
10. Auburn -- The record isn't reflecting it right now, but we still think AU has the talent to compete in the West. The Tigers just need that tipping point to get the ball rolling.
11. Vanderbilt -- Wow. Talk about surprising. Vanderbilt has looked absolutely lost on the weekends. Getting swept at Stanford and home vs Oregon. Thankfully, the Dores have Rhode Island coming to town next.
12. Alabama -- Congrats, Tide, you're back to .500 on the season. You still got swept at home against Florida Atlantic. Curb stomping Arkansas-Pine Bluff doesn't mean you are a great team all of a sudden.