Here’s what we’re not overreacting to in the SEC after Week 12:

Florida coach Jim McElwain has done a tremendous job in his first year. It would be easy — and justified — to just bash the SEC East. But let’s give credit to McElwain for winning 10 games with a team with obvious shortcomings.

The Gators were a much better team with Will Grier at quarterback, though it’s hard to feel sorry for them because Grier was breaking the rules by using PEDs. Treon Harris hasn’t developed into a top-flight quarterback. Kelvin Taylor lacks home run capabilities at running back. The offensive line lacks depth and talent. And the place kicking is a joke. But the Gators are winning. An offensive coach by trade, McElwain is winning the type of close games with defense that Will Muschamp lost.

FCS opponents scheduled as paid victories should be victories. If The Citadel’s 23-22 victory over South Carolina was an upset, it definitely wasn’t a shocker.

When it plays FCS teams, South Carolina tries to play schools within the Palmetto State to help fund their programs. That’s an admirable goal — but one the Gamecocks can’t afford. As Auburn learned early in the season when it slipped past Jacksonville State in overtime, the best FCS teams can compete well with mediocre BCS teams. If an SEC team plays an FCS team (they shouldn’t), it should play a weak or middle-of-the-road FCS team. And it’s foolish for a BCS team to play an FCS team that employs a unique style such as the triple-option running game used by Citadel. South Carolina should know better. The Gamecocks have played Wofford three times in the last 10 years with the Terriers, who also run the triple option, taking South Carolina into the fourth quarter each time.

Sometimes, it might be better to stay home than take a bowl bid. It’s hard to turn down three weeks of extra practice time, nice gifts and a fun trip for the players and a holiday road trip for the most ardent fans. But it might be best in rare cases, such as when the coach is departing coach or a struggling team has little hope to improve until new players arrive.

Missouri is a prime example. The Tigers offense is bad with little or no hope of improving for a bowl game. The offensive line and receiving corps are horrible. Sending freshman QB Andy Lock out there without competent support may impede his development and hurt his confidence. Coach Gary Pinkel has resigned. Mizzou would be best served ending its season, avoiding a probable discouraging loss in a bowl game and getting on with a change to a new coach. Similar arguments could be made about Kentucky and Vanderbilt, but those teams might appreciate rare bowl appearances.