As fans and media continue to search for potential challengers to No. 1 Alabama, a columnist for USA TODAY went on an Alabama radio station to outline his opinion on teams from the SEC East and West.

George Schroeder visited with Jox 94.5 FM’s Opening Drive to break down the latest developments across the league. He openly wondered if Georgia is the No. 1 contender for the East and to challenge Alabama. He said Georgia’s makeup of a strong defense, running game and freshman quarterback who is “not being asked to do too much” is something to build on.

“They certainly are the flavor of week and I think that makes some sense,” Schroeder said. “The formula is such that, yeah, they do look like the best team in the East. They look like the most talented team in the East, it looks like the kind of thing with some staying power through the season because of the way it’s built.”

Asked about Mississippi State following its rollercoaster of a two-week period with a win against LSU and a loss at Georgia, Schroeder said college football features “violent” swings from week to week both in performance and perception. Give Mississippi State’s loss after building momentum, the columnist said about the West race, “Right now, unless Auburn continues to develop, I’m not sure I see a challenger in the West (to Alabama).”

Schroeder’s opinion on Kevin Sumlin at Texas A&M is the coach could have been fired following the Arkansas game on Saturday if the Aggies hadn’t have pulled it out.

“I think it was that kind of situation,” he said. “Or at least the dye would be cast.”

Schroeder said Sumlin would need to win at least nine games, and likely 10, to keep his job.

One host then asked if the Aggies manage an 8-5 record with a win over Alabama.

“The problem with your scenario is the beat Bama part,” Schroeder said. “I reject the premise.”