It's an ebb and flow, and the West will not be this strong every year, and likely won't be this much stronger than the East for a long time.
The last two years, 5-3 was good enough for 2nd in the West, and 4-4 was good enough for 3rd.
UT, Georgia, and Florida are all having years that are among the worst they've had in the most forgettable in their last 10-15 years, and they're all having it in the same year. Vandy is still as bad as always. Kentucky is no better than usual. South Carolina is about the same as usual, maybe slightly better, but they're winning the East by default.
Auburn is having a much better year than usual, as is Arkansas. LSU only having 1 loss is better than normal. Bama is still Bama under Saban. That won't stay that way.