6. Auburn Tigers
Supposedly better than their record indicates, but I think that first game against LSU does a lot of work in that perceptio/calculation. They ended the regular season hot, though, so I put them here.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
Finished the season with a handful of decent wins before getting humiliated at the hands of Tennessee by 20+ points. Definitely in the second tier alongside Tennessee and Ole Miss, but not quite where those two teams are.