Arkansas and coach John L. Smith did not respond well coming off a loss to Louisiana-Monroe. The Razorbacks only face more questions after losing 52-0 to Alabama. (Getty Images)

We had five burning questions last week about what we were looking for in this past Saturday of SEC football. 

We got some answers:

1. Can Florida or Tennessee emerge as an SEC East contender?

Georgia and South Carolina are still the teams to beat for now, but Florida at least provided some evidence it can factor into the SEC East race after a convincing 37-20 victory over Tennessee in Knoxville. The Gators have looked better in each game they've played, and they have a QB to believe in with sophomore Jeff Driskel. The defense isn't where coach Will Muschamp wants it to be, but it was stout in the second half against Texas A&M and Tennessee. The Vols just aren't ready yet. They carried the lead into the second half, but coach Derek Dooley is now 0-11 vs. teams ranked in the AP top-25 poll in his Tennessee tenure. 

2. How does Arkansas respond after losing to Louisiana-Monroe?

Poorly. That's the short, understated answer. The Razorbacks were completely dominated 52-0 at home by an Alabama team that looked like it was better at every position. Injured QB Tyler Wilson didn't play because of a head injury, but he called his teammates out, saying they quit in the second half. The Razorbacks entered the season considered one of the elite teams in college football in 2012. They will have to battle just to play in a bow game. 

3. Can the SEC survive ... the Sun Belt?

It sounded like a foolish question, but it turned out to be a good one. The SEC went 3-1 against the Sun Belt with Georgia beating Florida Atlantic 56-20, Auburn beating Louisiana-Monroe 31-28, State" data-canon="Ole Miss Rebels" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" id="shortcode0"> beating Troy 30-24 and Kentucky falling to Western Kentucky 32-31. It could've easily been 1-3 for the SEC. Auburn had to go to overtime to win, and Mississippi State won by a score at Troy. 

4. How do key injuries affect Arkansas, South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida?

The Razorbacks were clearly hindered against Alabama with Wilson sidelined. South Carolina had Connor Shaw (shoulder) going into its game against UAB, but he hurt his shoulder again, and will be questionable for Saturday's game against Missouri. Florida looked fine on defense without LB Jelani Jenkins (thumb) and CB Cody Riggs (foot) and Tennessee could have used LBs Curt Maggitt (toe) and Herman Lathers (shoulder) in its game against Florida. 

5. How well do Missouri, Texas A&M and Ole Miss carry the SEC flag in nonconference games?

The newcomers -- Missouri and Texas A&M -- both passed their first notable nonconference test. The Tigers, without QB James Franklin (elbow), knocked off Arizona State 24-20. The Aggies, without RB Christine Michael (suspension) had no problem blowing out SMU 48-3 on the road. Ole Miss, as expected, struggled against Texas in a 66-31 loss. The Rebels' offense is exciting, but the defense has a long way to go.

For more up-to-the minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Larry Hartstein and Daniel Lewis, follow @CBSSportsSEC.