The season is a third over. Yes, that feels as odd to say as it did to type it. But time marches on, and we do what we do, which is grade the performances of the SEC week that was. We grade the teams overall, then point out for glory or shame a few of the best and worst performances in offense, defense and special teams. Let’s get to it:

SEC West

Alabama: A-

This was a little sloppy in spots, mostly in looking like a human defense instead of a video game defense of bionic tackling robots. Alabama is fine, they just didn’t give their best effort, particularly defensively. Worrying about this is like worrying about Cindy Crawford’s mole. Translation: Nick Saban is worrying.

LSU: B+

Not unlike Alabama, it could have been smoother, it could have been cleaner, but that’s just how the Tigers roll. The offense looked sharper than it has all season, and they’re 4-0.

Mississippi: B

The Rebels were fine offensively but certainly didn’t give it their sharpest effort. Playing a game that withstood two weather delays probably had something to do with it. Like the kid whose dog actually ate the homework, we understand, but we can’t put them at the head of the class.

Texas A&M: B-

The Aggies took a pretty good beating but did a solid job of working on doing what they do and not getting their spirit broken by the Tide. Calling timeouts late to try to tack on another score might be called bush league by some, but from here it looked like a program that was making a statement.

Auburn: C+

Auburn is the opposite of A&M in that they probably will end up with a better record, but all of the same things about their program feel like they are trending in the wrong direction. 2.5 yards per carry and 225 total yards against a putrid Arkansas defense?

Arkansas: C

Look, they’re trying. They didn’t come out and lay down and get ripped by 70 in this game, which they could have. This is a deeply flawed team, but there could be the first hints of a decent team lurking in the ashes of this season.

Mississippi State: C-

The Bulldogs defense was stout, and despite getting stung late by Benny Snell it played well enough to win. Their offense just brought nothing. The Joe Moorhead passing game emphasis doesn’t fit this team, and maybe this loss will prove that to all.

SEC East

Kentucky: A+

Kentucky dominated one of the SEC’s most physical teams and imposed their will with a brilliant defensive game. If that doesn’t earn top grades, what could?

Florida: A-

Meanwhile, the non-Kentucky team that looked the best Saturday was the Gators. Florida forced (or took, however you see it) six UT turnovers and rolled in Knoxville. Their one loss suddenly looks a lot less bad, and they picked up a solid SEC win.

South Carolina: A-

It’ll get lost in the thunder over Kentucky or Florida, but Carolina quietly went out and had a great week. 534 yards and a balanced offensive attack were good news. Three turnovers wasn’t, but there was a lot more to like than not like for USC.

Georgia: B

Not their best effort, but they can’t all be thumpings. Georgia just looked very mortal in this game. Very talented, but not like the team that seemed unlikely to lose at all in 2018. Giving up 4.6 yards per carry on the ground to Mizzou might have been the biggest surprise.

Missouri: B-

On the one hand, they played the second-ranked team in the nation and lost in non-embarrassing fashion. On the other hand, they turned the ball over three times, were sloppy on special teams and might have done even better with a clean game.

Vanderbilt: D

Vandy was outgained by 250 yards in a game in which they were only a very mild underdog. This is how they race Tennessee to the bottom of the East.

Tennessee: D-

The memories of the days when Florida vs. Tennessee was the premier SEC rivalry feel so far away. Jeremy Pruitt seems to be both a good coach and a good man, but he’s having to rebuild a deeply broken culture from the ground up. Still, SIX turnovers?

Honor roll

Offense

South Carolina

Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Loved the balance — 273 yards rushing, 261 yards passing. That’s how you beat a poor Vanderbilt team by 23.

Alabama

Could have picked lots of teams here, but watching ‘Bama pass for 415 yards was kind of special. The rich got richer, folks.

Defense

Kentucky

They beat the No. 14 team in the country into submission, holding State to 201 total yards and 56 rushing yards. State averaged 311 RUSHING yards coming in.

Auburn

They were superb against a bad Arkansas offense, holding the Razorbacks to 3-for-17 on third down and forcing two turnovers. If their offense is going to play like this, their defense might need to be this good.

Special teams

Georgia

A blocked punt returned for a touchdown and flawless kicking from Rodrigo Blankenship get the Bulldogs onto this list.

Texas A&M

Nothing flashy, but kicker Seth Small knocked down three field goals, including a 52-yarder, and punter Braden Mann topped 60 yards per punt.

Study hall

Offense

Auburn

How many teams win by 31 but end up in study hall? These guys did. 225 total yards and no ground game against a defense that got shelled by North Texas? Yuck.

Tennessee

They racked up some late yardage, but six turnovers was a back breaker.

Defense

LSU

The Tigers gave up 417 total yards and 330 passing yards in this game. The defense was handed a 27-0 lead and nearly gave it away. This won’t work against some of the better SEC squads.

Vanderbilt

For a unit that nearly was strong enough to knock off Notre Dame, this was a poor performance. Vandy gave up 28 first downs and 534 total yards. That’s going to be a recipe for failure most weeks.

Special teams

Arkansas

Outgained Auburn by 65 total yards, but lost by 31, mostly because they were pitiful on special teams. Gave up a kick return touchdown and a 48-yard punt return and were unexceptional themselves.

Missouri

The Tigers gave up a blocked punt score that made a big difference in this game.