By: JJ Lanier

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

I can vividly remember the first time I heard “Mary Jane’s Last Dance”. I was in 8th grade, sitting in the back of an activity bus with a group of friends, on a field trip to see a play of “To Kill A Mockingbird”.

As we were approaching our destination, one of my buddies lent me his Walkman so I could listen to a song I didn’t know, from a group I had never heard before. I was hooked, immediately.

At some point over the following days I bought Tom Petty’s Greatest Hits album, starting a one sided love affair that is still going strong, 25 years after that initial listen.

In honor of the late musician, here is my take on each SEC team’s season so far, in Tom’s own words.

Alabama– It’s Good to be King. There may be other teams outside the SEC that have something to say about this, but within the conference the Crimson Tide sit on the throne, until someone takes it away.

Georgia- Into the Great Wide Open. I’ve been wrong about the Bulldogs at basically every turn so far this season. If there’s any team that can knock Alabama off their perch, it’s Georgia. That defense is championship level talented, and when the offense is clicking, it’s not too far behind. (Sorry for the jinx, Georgia fans.)

Auburn- Runnin’ Down a Dream. The Tigers have looked good up to this point and seem to be serious contenders for the SEC title. With Georgia and Alabama still on the horizon, that dream may turn into a nightmare.

Florida- I Won’t Back Down. There’s no other reason I picked this song for Florida other than watching a clip of the entire stadium singing that chorus was incredible. A beautiful tribute from Petty’s hometown.

Texas A&M- Don’t Do Me Like That. It’s about that time of the season for the Aggies decline and the temperature on Sumlin’s seat to be turned up a few degrees.

Kentucky- Learning to Fly. Kentucky has steadily been improving over the last few seasons, to where they actually look like a legitimate college football team. They’re not flying very high, but they’ve gotten off the ground.

LSU- Square One. They owe Orgeron too much money to let him go after this season, but the whole program needs to start over again, and that includes the Athletic Director.

South Carolina- I Need to Know. I still have no idea what expect from the Gamecocks. I want to say they’re a better than average team, and that a second place finish in the division is a possibility. But honestly, I have no idea what to expect.

Mississippi State- You Got Lucky. Beating LSU when they did made the Bulldogs look like a much better team than they truly are. Were they beat LSU now, nobody would even bat an eye.

Missouri- Even the Losers. They scored more points against Missouri State than the rest of the season, combined. They’re William Hung from American Idol awful.

Arkansas- Don’t Come Around Here No More. Unless something changes over the second half of the season, Bret Bielema will be hearing this phrase a lot.

Tennessee- Free Fallin’. Do I really need to go into much detail with this? Hasn’t Butch Jones suffered enough?

Ole Miss- The Waiting. Rebel fans are going to be waiting a LOOOOONG time before their football team is relevant again.

Vanderbilt- Wake Up Time- Just when you thought the Commodores were about the turn the corner, reality sets in. Sorry guys, I was rooting for you.