It’s one of the best times of the year for sports fans. Not only is college football in full swing, but we also have NFL games and the MLB playoffs filling our schedules. And then there’s the fact that college basketball, the NBA and the NHL are all getting ready to begin over the next few weeks.

If you need me, I’ll be in front of my TV.

Now, let’s get to your questions for this week’s Mailbag:

Shane:

Which SEC team has been the most disappointing in 2021?

There are plenty to choose from, certainly. For me personally, watching Mizzou struggle its way to a 2-3 start with (by far) the worst run defense in the country has been a major disappointment. But, not everyone had the same lofty expectations for Mizzou that I did. I get that.

The real contenders are Texas A&M, Florida and LSU. All 3 of those teams are 3-2 entering Week 6. All had legitimate expectations of being 5-0 at this point. (Florida hosted Alabama in a game many Gator fans thought their team could win.)

Of those 3 teams, I’m going to say I’m most disappointed in Texas A&M. The Aggies’ offense has been atrocious. Yes, I know starting QB Haynes King was injured, but I wasn’t super impressed with the A&M offense even when he was healthy.

The defense has been solid, but not elite like I thought it would be. I trusted Jimbo Fisher to have a quarterback ready to replace Kellen Mond, regardless of whether it was King or Zach Calzada.

Instead, the Aggies are 0-2 in SEC play and likely to fall to 0-3 when Alabama visits this weekend. What a disappointment.

I am not as disappointed in LSU, but that’s simply because I didn’t have high expectations for the Tigers this year. This team was a mess in 2020, finishing 5-5. I didn’t expect them to compete for an SEC title or anything.

The Aggies finished No. 5 in the CFP rankings last year. To see them fall off like this has been strange.

Reese:

More likely to lose this weekend — Georgia (at Auburn) or Alabama (at Texas A&M)?

Can I say neither? I know it’s been a popular talking point all season, but I’m very much in the camp of Alabama and Georgia being the elite teams in college football this year, with everyone else pretty far below them.

But, if I have to pick one, give me Georgia as the most-likely team to lose. The whole situation with JT Daniels is the one question mark I have about the Bulldogs. If he doesn’t play on Saturday afternoon, that will hurt the Dawgs.

Then, you have to consider how well the Tigers are playing. I certainly didn’t expect this from Auburn this year, so kudos to Bryan Harsin (and first-year Auburn coordinators Mike Bobo and Derek Mason) for what they’ve done so far.

Oh, and then there’s the Jordan-Hare magic. You never know what you’re going to get in that stadium. It’s crazy. I still think Georgia will win, but the Bulldogs are more likely to lose than Alabama this week.

@Dobbe8:

Lane Kiffin has Alabama fans sending him a bunch of popcorn this week. Seems like his comments before the loss to the Tide are working out well for him. If you had haters sending you a snack item, what would it be?

I mean, popcorn would certainly be up there. If they could send some gluten-free popcorn for my wife, too, that would be great.

I also really like ice cream, but that seems like it would be difficult to ship and keep. So, I’ll go with 2 options — BBQ potato chips and Skittles. I don’t eat them together, of course. That would be crazy.

But, those are 2 of my go-to snacks. I also like sunflower seeds. Get your sunflower seeds ready for this next question, folks! (Doesn’t have the same ring to it as “get your popcorn ready,” does it?)

Robert:

Who’s your pick to win the World Series now that the playoffs have started?

Well, I’m upset my St. Louis Cardinals got knocked out in the wildcard game on Wednesday night. Seriously, I’m still mad Mike Shildt put Alex Reyes into that game. Reyes is a great pitcher. He was an All-Star this year and he’ll be an All-Star again. But his arm has been dead since mid-August. He should have been shut down weeks ago, not put into a do-or-die playoff game.

Anyway, I’ll stick to my Midwest roots with my new World Series pick. I’d really love it if the Chicago White Sox won it all.

Obviously, I appreciate Tony LaRussa for bringing 2 World Series titles to the Cardinals in 2006 and 2011. And I’ll always root for Lance Lynn, too. Then, I just think the White Sox are fun. Jose Abreu is one of the best hitters in the game. Tim Anderson is one of my favorite shortstops to watch. Eloy Jimenez can hit the cover off the ball.

Since I know a lot of y’all are Braves fans, I’ll root for the Braves to make it out of the National League. Give me White Sox over Braves in 6.

Have a question for next week’s Mailbag? Tweet at us using #SDSMailbag or email me at ASpencer@SaturdayDownSouth.com.