The SEC’s bowl season … well, let’s just say it didn’t go as Commissioner Slive had hoped. The SEC West’s reign is over, and it’s now up to Tennessee and Florida to salvage some form of pride.

With two games to go, Saturday Down South discusses the biggest surprises of the SEC’s bowl season.

Ole Miss’ top-ranked defense torched by TCU: If you saw what happened in Atlanta on Wednesday coming, then I applaud you. In what had widely been considered the most anticipated bowl game of the slate, TCU crushed ninth-ranked Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl. The 39-point loss is the worst bowl loss in Ole Miss history and is tied for the worst bowl loss in SEC history. Bo Wallace had his worst game as a Rebel, and the Horned Frogs absolutely had their way from the opening snap.

Alabama self-destructs in national semifinal: Turnovers, an inability to get off the field on third downs and suspect playcalling cost the Crimson Tide in its first national semifinal appearance. Ohio State, a heavy underdog, seemingly did the unthinkable with a third-string quarterback and explosive run game. Alabama surrendered its longest run of the season and its longest play from scrimmage this year to the Buckeyes, both of which came on the legs of Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliot. For the first time in four years, a team from the state of Alabama will not play for the national title.

LSU’s uninspired defensive effort: In a game expected to be dominated by LSU, Notre Dame exposed the Bayou Bengals in the Music City Bowl. With the news of defensive coordinator John Chavis’ departure looming, LSU turned in a less-than-stellar effort on defense, surrendering 449 yards of total offense and 31 points to a Fighting Irish team that struggled late in the season. LSU’s loss to Notre Dame would serve as an omen for things to come for the SEC during the following two days.

Auburn has no answer for Gordon: Everyone knew the Auburn defense was bad, but the Tigers somehow surprised us on New Year’s Day by not being able to stop the Wisconsin run game when they knew it was coming. Melvin Gordon set an Outback Bowl record with 251 yards on the ground, while his batterymate Corey Clement added 105 yards. Georgia gashed Auburn in mid-November for 289 yards rushing, but the Badgers took it to a new level, totaling 400 yards on the ground.

SEC East looks to salvage reputation: The argument for the SEC being the best conference in college football has severely weakened, and the SEC West’s mighty stature crumbled. The West finished its bowl games 2-5, looking suspect along the way. Who would’ve imagined, though, that the lowly SEC East — the laughing stock of the conference all season — would have a chance to go undefeated in bowl play and salvage some form of respect nationally. Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina have all taken care of business. Tennessee and Florida look to do the same.

Texas A&M offense shows life: Kyle Allen produced arguably his best game of the season in the Liberty Bowl win over West Virginia, while the Aggies put 45 points and 529 yards of total offense. Coming off a horrendous effort on Thanksgiving night against LSU, Kevin Sumlin’s team rebounded with a balanced showing. Allen threw for 294 yards and four touchdowns, while a committee of running backs combined for 235 yards.

Nick Chubb powers Georgia: Sure, Oregon’s Royce Freeman and Oklahoma’s Semaje Perine are great players. But neither rival Georgia tailback Nick Chubb. The true freshman ran the Bulldogs past Louisville and torched former Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s Louisville defense. Chubb finished with 266 yards and two scores on 33 carries, positioning himself as an early 2015 Heisman candidate.