For the first time in about a decade, many pundits and fans questioned whether the SEC was still the best conference in college football.

As for Mississippi, many suspected the Rebels and Bulldogs to be one-hit wonders after late-season swoons in 2014 when the two programs both went 2-3 after October and neither won its bowl game.

But in 2015, the state of Mississippi and, for that matter, the entire SEC West, have earned sweet redemption. No one is doubting either Mississippi football team or the SEC anymore.

The questions about the SEC arose during the 2014 bowl season when the conference went 7-5. Losses in the Orange Bowl, Peach Bowl and Sugar Bowl made that record seem worse.

Ole Miss and Mississippi State were responsible for two of those three New Year’s Six defeats.

The Rebels suffered a 42-3 loss to TCU in the Peach Bowl. The Bulldogs lost 49-34 to Georgia Tech.

In the biggest game, Alabama lost to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Each team redeemed itself this season.

Ole Miss earned another trip to a New Year’s Six bowl — this time to the Sugar Bowl against Oklahoma State. Rebels QB Chad Kelly threw an interception on the first drive, which likely brought back bad memories from last season, but got it together. He threw four touchdown passes as Ole Miss routed Oklahoma State 48-20.

Mississippi State settled for a trip to the Belk Bowl. QB Dak Prescott didn’t disappoint in his final collegiate game. He accounted for 427 yards and four TDs. Mississippi State knocked off N.C. State 51-28.

The two routs helped the SEC West go 6-1 in bowl games this season. The combined margin of victory in those six wins was 26.8 points. With the strong bowl performances, the SEC West finished as the only division in the FBS where every team with a winning record.

The SEC West has an elite team to go with its depth. Alabama destroyed Michigan State 38-0 in the Cotton Bowl to advance to next Monday’s National Championship Game against Clemson.

A victory would add to Nick Saban’s legacy in Tuscaloosa. It would also cement the SEC West’s standing as the best division in the best conference.