After an embarrassing 2014-15 bowl season, the SEC West rebounded and went 6-1 this season. Alabama can add a seventh win for the division and ninth win for the SEC this postseason with another victory on Monday.

Here’s five reasons why the SEC West dominated in bowl games.

1. Easier Schedule

Six victories in bowl games for one division is no small feat, but the bowl schedule for the SEC West was much easier than last season’s. LSU, Ole Miss, Alabama and Arkansas were all favored by at least a touchdown. The Razorbacks were the biggest favorites with a 11-point spread. Texas A&M, an underdog after losing quarterbacks Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray, suffered the lone loss.

The Rebels were even a little fortunate in the Sugar Bowl. They could have easily faced TCU or Baylor had those teams not collapsed down the stretch with backup quarterbacks. Both won their bowl games. Instead, Ole Miss faced a young, overmatched Oklahoma State team, which came to New Orleans on a two-game losing streak. The Cowboys were ranked 92nd in pass defense while the Rebels were 10th in passing yards in the country.

Give credit to the SEC West for destroying its opponents, but they were games the teams were supposed to win.

2. Juicy Matchups

Besides the Ole Miss passing attack versus Oklahoma State’s pass defense, there were other juicy matchups that favored the SEC.

Texas Tech drew LSU and sophomore Leonard Fournette, eager to shine after running into tough defenses late in the regular season. The Red Raiders had the third-worst rushing defense in the nation this season. Not surprisingly, Fournette rushed for 212 yards and four TDs.

Auburn had to face Memphis in the Birmingham Bowl. In October, that would have been tough. But Memphis struggled down the stretch, losing three of its final four games. Plus, coach Justin Fuente left for Virginia Tech after the regular season.

3. No Pac-12 Matchup

Although the SEC West made a statement with Alabama’s victory over Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl, the division, and the entire SEC for that matter, didn’t have to worry about facing the Pac-12, considered by many to be the closest challenger to the SEC.

The Pac-12 didn’t have a playoff team, but they joined the SEC as the only other Power 5 with a winning bowl record. Unfortunately, the two conferences didn’t meet in a bowl.

4. Hungrier Teams

After going 2-5 in bowl games last season, the SEC West appeared hungry for redemption.

Both Mississippi schools had something to play for after losing in New Year’s Six bowls last year. Ole Miss returned to a New Year’s Day bowl and did its best to erase last season’s embarrassment against TCU by whipping Oklahoma State. Mississippi State destroyed N.C. State in the Belk Bowl to erase the memories of the Orange Bowl loss to Georgia Tech.

Alabama was the hungriest of all. After losing in the College Football Playoff semifinals a year ago, the Crimson Tide absolutely dominated the Spartans.

5. Because the SEC West is the Best Division in the Best Conference 

The easiest way to explain why the SEC West dominated this bowl season is because it is the best. The division had an average margin of victory of 26.8 points in its six bowl wins. That doesn’t happen just because of an easier schedule.

It is also the only division in college football in which all seven teams posted an overall winning record.