Without a shadow of a doubt, the SEC West is overwhelmingly the premier division across the nation.

The West is home to the winners of last season’s College Football Playoff, Alabama. With the talent in Tuscaloosa on an annual basis, the Crimson Tide are heavyweights so long as Nick Saban is there.

There are a few more contenders in the division, led by LSU. Leonard Fournette — his ankle will be fine — is the best runner in the country and a Heisman Trophy candidate. If Ole Miss and Texas A&M get strong QB play from Chad Kelly and Trevor Knight, respectively, they can pull some upsets, too.

As for Arkansas, Auburn and Mississippi State, they are reduced to playing the spoiler role in all likelihood. However, none of them will be an easy out for any of the division favorites this year.

Be sure to watch the video above to review my picks for first and last in the SEC West this season.

John Crist is the senior writer for Saturday Down South, a member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy. Send him an e-mail, like him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.