Ranking the live SEC mascots. (Humans in animal costumes don’t count, and the last time we checked Florida doesn’t have a live alligator.)

1. MIKE THE TIGER

His Twitter account says it all: @LSUmiketiger -- official mascot of the LSU Tigers and the baddest cat in the Twitterverse. Mike VI is a Bengali-Siberian hybrid. At home games, Mike's cage on wheels is parked by the opponent's locker room so opposing players must pass by Mike's cage. That’s a real intimidation factor.

2. SIR BIG SPUR

The Old English, black-breasted red gamecock is owned by USC alumnus Mary Snelling. Sir Big Spur III has its own web site and twitter account: @Sir_Big_Spur -- “I enjoy USC football & baseball, sunrises, & chasing cute hens. I'm a real bird, pal!” Sir Big Spur put the fear in ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit on the GameDay set this past Saturday.

3. BULLY

Mississippi State’s mascot is a bulldog named Bully. Bully is like any other lovable bulldog, but you’ve got to give him credit for having to listen to those darn cow bells game after game. The SEC tried to ban them, but the ringing is now permitted at halftime, time-outs and after touchdowns.

4. SMOKEY

Smokey IX is a Bluetick Coonhound and the official Tennessee Vols mascot. He has served from 2004 to present, is cared for by a fraternity at Tennessee. Smokey, who was selected as the Tennessee mascot in a student poll in 1953, has more bark than bite.

5. NOVA

Nova was named “War Eagle VII” before Auburn's game against USC in 2010. He is a golden eagle and was born in the Montgomery (Ala.) Zoo. The words War Eagle also are a motto or battle cry among the Auburn fans. Nova puts on any impressive pregame show.

6. REVEILLE

Reveille, a collie, is the official mascot of Texas A&M. She is the most revered dog on campus. If she is sleeping on a cadet's bed, that cadet must sleep on the floor. Cadets address Reveille as “Miss Rev, ma'am.” If she is in class and barks while the professor is teaching, the class is to be immediately dismissed. Wow, that dog has some big-time clout.

7. UGA

“Russ” was Georgia’s interim mascot for two years after his brother, Uga VII, passed away. But Russ received a “battlefield promotion” before the start this year and assumed the title of Uga IX. This Uga seems more inclined to lounge on a bag of ice in his air conditioned Dawg house than do much of anything else.