Texas A&M Football: 3 implications of Ed Orgeron leaving LSU

Implication No. 3: The SEC West just got less competitive, at least in the near future

Before the 2021 season began, the SEC West looked like the toughest division in college football.

The division, which Texas A&M calls home, had four ranked teams, all of whom were ranked 16th or higher. Fast forward to Week 8 and only two of these teams remain — Texas A&M and Alabama, both of whom have dropped from their original rankings in the AP Poll.

That said, a pair of squads in the SEC West has entered the top-25, with 19th-ranked Auburn and 12th-ranked Ole Miss now representing the division. Still, the average ranking of SEC teams in the top-25 has tanked, while other divisions such as the Big Ten East have risen and become the best conference in college football.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing for the Aggies though.

In fact, Texas A&M’s path to the College Football Playoff may have just gotten a bit easier, especially if the Tigers aren’t able to make a home run hire. The Aggies face LSU every single season, so their downfall will create an easier schedule.

This, however, changes depending on your outlook. The opposing argument could be made that this makes the Aggies’ chances slimmer, with no margin for error on a weaker schedule. Interpret it how you will — I’m simply here to tell you what will happen.