For the most part, Week 1 went down as expected for the SEC West. Alabama continued to look like the most impressive team in the conference/nation, and Texas A&M, while impressive early, is in last place in the division — it was the only team to lose in the West.

Still, there were a few surprises that could end up shifting how the West ends up playing out this year. Here are four things that have reshaped my thinking following Week 1:

1. Auburn’s defense

Many analysts believed the Tigers would be much better defensively this season. I don’t think any of them, myself included, knew they had the potential to be this good.

It’s only one game, versus Georgia Southern nonetheless, but Auburn’s defense looks like it could be one of the SEC’s best.

Marlon Davidson showed why he was one of the SEC’s biggest breakout candidates after he finished with 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. He wasn’t the only one to get after the quarterback, however.

The Tigers finished with 6 sacks on the day — LB Tre’ Williams (2), Buck Jeff Holland (1) and DT Derrick Brown (1) — against a team that most people expected to give Auburn some trouble early. Overall, the defense only gave up 78 total yards — a school record — and proved that they have the necessary pieces to replace Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams.

Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

This Tigers might end up being better than people expected. Alabama, and the rest of the SEC, should most certainly take notice.

2. LSU’s balanced roster

When LSU announced that star edge rusher Arden Key would miss the BYU game, it added to the worry that the Cougars could pull an upset in Week 1. Clearly, everyone was worrying over nothing.

The 27-0 victory showed why LSU’s new offensive coordinator Matt Canada will end up as one of the conference’s top offseason hires.

Senior Danny Etling looked more comfortable than he did at any point last season, and it showed after he completed 82.4 percent of his passes for 171 yards. The team didn’t have to rely on him too much, but he looks like he has improved from last season.

RB Derrius Guice, as expected, was used in a bell cow role that resulted in 27 carries for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns. Guice’s backup, Darrel Williams, had 15 carries for 92 yards and one touchdown.

Without Key, the defense still managed to put up 3 sacks and pitch its first shutout since 2014.

If LSU can maintain the kind of balance they displayed in Week 1, Auburn won’t be the only Tigers team with a shot of uprooting Alabama as the winner of the SEC West.

3. Mississippi State’s Heisman Trophy candidate

Everyone knew QB Nick Fitzgerald would be one of the SEC’s top players this season, but after his performance against Charleston Southern, people might need to start thinking bigger.

Despite playing in only two and half quarters, the redshirt junior put up 280 yards of total offense (239 passing, 41 rushing) with 3 total touchdowns. His completion percentage of 55.2-percent reveals room to grow, but there’s no doubt he’s poised for a big season.

While the Bulldogs aren’t supposed to be a real threat for an SEC West title, Fitzgerald’s presence could prevent other teams — such as Alabama, Auburn or LSU — from making it to the SEC Championship in December.

Alabama will face Mississippi State on Nov. 11, following what should be a physical game against LSU the week before. The Tide will need to be careful due to the potential for a trap game.

4. Alabama’s injuries

Speaking of the Tide, they were the most impressive team in the SEC after pulling out a 24-7 victory over the Florida State Seminoles in the “greatest opening game in college football history.”

It wasn’t all positive, however. Alabama lost four key contributors (two for the season), and they’re all crucial to the pass rush.

After losing Jonathan Allen, Ryan Anderson and Tim Williams to the NFL, Alabama really didn’t need to lose four of the main players who were expected to step up to fill the void — Christian Miller (torn biceps), Terrell Lewis (torn elbow ligament), Anfernee Jennings (ankle) and Rashaan Evans (groin).

Jennings and Evans should return this season, but Miller and Lewis won’t.

It’s an interesting development when you consider how impressive Auburn and LSU looked in their first games of the season. Could the scale be tipping in favor of the two Tigers?