For this edition of SEC Debate, the SDS staff considers which team is going to emerge from the toughest division in college football. What we know: we have a favorite, but we probably know less than Jon Snow at this point.

WHO IS THE FAVORITE IN THE SEC WEST?

Ethan Levine (@EthanLevineSDS): Alabama

To be frank, no one should be considered a favorite to win either of the SEC’s divisions in 2014. The West may possess a higher class of teams than the East, but both divisions are wide open through five weeks. However, if pressed to pick a favorite in the West, I’ll take Alabama. The Crimson Tide is coming off its best performance of the year against Florida two weeks ago, and Alabama has obviously been a championship-caliber team since 2009 under Nick Saban’s leadership. It’s a tough road through the SEC West, and it’s tough to imagine any of the seven teams will survive the West without a loss, but no team has more experience in big games against ranked teams than Alabama. Saban will have the Tide ready for a tough run through the West, making it the favorite to win the division.

Brad Crawford (@BCrawfordSDS): Alabama

Alabama … if the Crimson Tide win Saturday’s game at Ole Miss. With no wins over ranked teams yet, we’re not sure how Nick Saban’s squad will perform against one of the nation’s elite. Alabama’s schedule has plenty of possible landmines coming up, but I think the Crimson Tide will prevail and eventually win the West with one loss.

Christopher Walsh (@CrimsonWalsh): Alabama

Here’s how tough the SEC West is this season: Every team will face at least four ranked opponents over the next two months. Arkansas and Texas A&M only have seven games remaining and six are against ranked teams. Auburn will see six over eight games. Alabama, and Ole Miss both play five, while Mississippi State and LSU will face four — but each opponent is No. 11 or better. The answer has to be Alabama because it has both the most depth and is the best equipped to survive such a brutal schedule. The winner of the “Group of Death” division should get an automatic invitation into the playoff.

Jon Cooper (@JonSDS): Alabama 

Not only does Alabama have an explosive offense and good defense, but they have the most favorable schedule of all the SEC West teams. The Crimson Tide will face five ranked teams the rest of the way, including getting Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Auburn at home. That’s big. I’m a big believer maximizing schedules. Alabama also has the best player in Amari Cooper and the best coach in Nick Saban in the entire SEC West. At this point, Alabama should be considered the favorite, regardless if you feel they are the best team or not.

Jordan Cox (@Jordan_Cox): Alabama

Alabama. The Lane Kiffin experiment has turned out quite well, I’d say. What he’s done with that offense turning it into a devastating big-play threat is nothing short of amazing.

Blake Sims has erased any thought of a quarterback controversy with his play, especially against Florida. He can throw the deep ball beautifully and has college football’s most explosive playmaker in Amari Cooper.

The West is stacked and Alabama has issues on the back end of the defense, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see this team lose a game. But nobody’s making it through that gauntlet unbeaten.

Christopher Smith (@csmithSDS): Alabama

Struggles against up-tempo offenses the last few seasons scared some away from the Tide. But Nick Saban has evolved his team subtly. Alabama has taken the governor off the offense, and I suspect that has little or nothing to do with offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. Despite Amari Cooper’s huge season thus far, I think this is Alabama’s most talented, well-rounded offense since Saban came to Tuscaloosa in 2007. Most expected Saban to try to find an answer for the “struggles” through his defense, and a stable of five-star cornerbacks may eventually provide it. But for now, he’s done it by enabling Bama to access an extra gear and outscore elite teams if necessary.