It may not look like it early based on a lack of overall strength, but the Eastern Division will have a representative at the Georgia Dome on Dec. 7 for the SEC Championship Game.

Though Vanderbilt’s (1-4, 0-2) still mathematically alive based on remaining possibilities, we’ve decided to exclude the Commodores from our division title discussion altogether. It’s not happening this fall for Derek Mason’s crew.

What’s the outlook for each team now that we’ve had a sample size of at least one SEC game? We’ll start with two teams in the best position and go from there:

MIZZOU (4-1, 1-0)

The Tigers opened SEC play with a bang last weekend at South Carolina with a come-from-behind victory in the final two minutes. Knocking off the perceived preseason division favorite on their home turf always an ideal way to defend a division title.

REMAINING SEC GAMES: vs. Georgia, Oct. 11; at Florida, Oct. 18; vs. Vanderbilt, Oct. 25; vs. Kentucky, Nov. 1; at Texas A&M, Nov. 15; at Tennessee, Nov. 22; vs. Arkansas, Nov. 28

VERDICT: To reach another SEC Championship Game, Mizzou will have to earn it. There’s potential three conference games against ranked teams remaining, including a mid-November trip to Texas A&M, a possible Western Division contender. The Tigers’ defensive line will keep them in every game as we enter crunch time, but Maty Mauk’s play what dictates how far this squad advances.

GEORGIA (3-1, 1-1)

Todd Gurley is Mark Richt’s locomotive who can get the Bulldogs to Atlanta. Without him, Georgia will lose two, perhaps three, SEC games this season. Treacherous matchups on the road against Mizzou, Arkansas and a Sanford Stadium date with Auburn will determine the Bulldogs’ fate.

REMAINING SEC GAMES: Vanderbilt, Saturday; at Missouri, Oct. 11; at Arkansas, Oct. 18; Florida, Nov. 1 (Jacksonville); at Kentucky, Nov. 8; vs. Auburn, Nov. 15

VERDICT: It’s difficult to deem any SEC schedule as favorable, but based on teams in the East, it appears Georgia’s in the best shape to control its own destiny the rest of the way. South Carolina holds a tiebreaker after a head-to-head win, but the Gamecocks are already a game back with another loss and will likely suffer a third defeat in league play before the season’s over. Georgia’s battle next week at Mizzou establishing the frontrunner going down the home stretch.

FLORIDA (2-1, 1-1)

‘Overreaction Saturday’ (Florida’s loss at Alabama) could quickly turn into ‘Job Search Monday’ if the Gators don’t perform better following a bye week Saturday afternoon at Tennessee. It’s a huge game for the program, specifically coach Will Muschamp, who is trying to prove to athletic director Jeremy Foley and the rest of Gator Nation that Florida’s headed in the right direction following a 4-8 season.

REMAINING SEC GAMES: at Tennessee, Saturday; vs. LSU, Oct. 11; vs. Missouri, Oct. 18; vs. Georgia, Nov. 1 (Jacksonville); at Vanderbilt, Nov. 8; vs. South Carolina, Nov. 15

VERDICT: With only one ‘automatic’ SEC win remaining on the schedule, the jury’s still out on Florida’s offensive success under Jeff Driskel. It’s important that the Gators at least look better in Knoxville and save themselves from the 600-plus yard embarrassment suffered last time out. If Florida wins its next three SEC games, no easy task considering the competition, the Nov. 1 showdown in Jacksonville will decide the division.

SOUTH CAROLINA (3-2, 2-2)

South Carolina didn’t expect to have two losses in conference play — at home — this early in the season and as a result, championship dreams are beginning to fade. The only team in the country who has played four league contests before Oct. 1, the Gamecocks are hoping to establish some form of identity during their second road trip of the season Saturday night in Lexington.

REMAINING SEC GAMES: at Kentucky, Saturday; at Auburn, Oct. 25; vs. Tennessee, Nov. 1; at Florida, Nov. 15

VERDICT: There’s too many areas of concern — up front and on defense — for the Gamecocks to be considered a contender, not to mention a division-leading two SEC losses. South Carolina would need to win — and likely have help — to capture its second division crown during Steve Spurrier’s tenure. If the Gamecocks win their next two games prior to a trip to Jordan-Hare on Oct. 25, they should leap back into the Top 25.

TENNESSEE (2-2, 0-1)

Tennessee moves into the contender realm with a win over Florida on Saturday, but bowl hopes diminish if the Vols drop to 2-3 overall with a loss considering there’s still matchups against two Western Division Top 10s on the schedule. Keeping Justin Worley healthy is top priority for a team looking to get over the hump.

REMAINING SEC GAMES: vs. Florida, Saturday; at Ole Miss, Oct. 18; vs. Alabama, Oct. 25; at South Carolina, Nov. 1; vs. Kentucky, Nov. 15; vs. Missouri, Nov. 22; at Vanderbilt, Nov. 29

VERDICT: After watching the Vols finish a couple plays shy of upsetting Georgia in Athens, Tennessee’s a threat not to be taken lightly in the division. Much like Arkansas on the other side, the Vols will likely finish below .500 in league play but still be a formidable foe for a few of the heavyweights. Butch Jones has this program in the right direction, but the team’s simply too young to finish out games against quality opponents over the next month. Best case scenario is splitting the next four games prior to November.

KENTUCKY (3-1, 1-1)

The Wildcats snapped an 18-game SEC losing streak last weekend against Vanderbilt and performed well during a three-overtime loss to Florida. The meat of the schedule begins Saturday against South Carolina, a game that all but eliminates the loser from the division race.

REMAINING SEC GAMES: vs. South Carolina, Saturday; at LSU, Oct. 18; vs. Mississippi State, Oct. 25; at Missouri, Nov. 1; vs. Georgia, Nov. 8; at Tennessee, Nov. 15

VERDICT: Despite obvious improvement, Mark Stoops’ team is simply a year or two away from being a possible threat in the division.  A title might be out of the question, but Kentucky’s bowl hopes can become a reality if the Wildcats grab their fourth win of the season this weekend vs. the Gamecocks with winnable games against Louisiana-Monroe and Louisville left.