SEC Media Days Start Wednesday

SEC story lines entering Media Days


Five of the biggest story lines entering SEC Media Days, which begin Wednesday in Hoover, Ala.


Posted on 07.20.10

/file photograph/the associated press

Florida quarterback John Brantley

Can Alabama repeat?

All Nick Saban needs to do is ask Urban Meyer how hard it is to repeat. Since the AP poll began in 1950, only 10 preseason No. 1 teams ended up No. 1 at the end of the season. Since 1991, it has happened three times: Florida State in 1993 and 1999, and Southern Cal in 2004. Alabama is the favorite to be the preseason No. 1.

Where is Tim Tebow?

Last year, Tebow garnered all the attention at SEC Media Days. No Tebow-mania this year. Instead, the questions will be directed at Florida’s John Brantley, a junior with a strong arm who is a relative unknown to folks outside of Gainesville.

Where is Lane Kiffin?

SEC coaches won’t have Kiffin to kick around this season. Instead, the buttoned-up Derek Dooley comes in at Tennessee and isn’t expected to cause much of a stir.

The SEC West is stacked

LSU is expected to have a top-notch defense, while many are picking Arkansas and Auburn to make a run at Alabama. The question for the Hogs and Tigers is not about offense, but whether their defenses will be good enough.

Is this the year of the Gamecock?

Many have been waiting for South Carolina to stake its claim to the SEC East under Steve Spurrier. This is his best chance to do it. South Carolina had one of the best defenses in the league last season. If Stephen Garcia can figure out how to run the offense, the Gamecocks finally will have their chance.

The Orlando Sentinel

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SEC Media Days schedule

Wednesday

-- 1-3:50 P.M.

ALABAMA | Coach Nick Saban; Don’t’a Hightower, linebacker; Mark Ingram, running back; Greg McElroy, quarterback

MISSISSIPPI STATE | Coach Dan Mullen; Charles Mitchell, defensive back; Chris Relf, quarterback; Quentin Saulsberry, left guard

-- 3:20 - 6 P.M.

FLORIDA | Coach Urban Meyer; Ahmad Black, safety; Mike Pouncey, center; Justin Trattou, defensive end

KENTUCKY | Coach Joker Phillips; Randall Cobb, wide receiver; DeQuin Evans, defensive end; Derrick Locke, tailback

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THURSDAY

-- 8:30 - 11:10 A.M.

ARKANSAS | Coach Bobby Petrino; Jake Bequette, defensive end; Ryan Mallett, quarterback; D.J. Williams, tight end

GEORGIA | Coach Mark Richt; Drew Butler, punter; Shaun Chapas, Screw; A.J. Green, wide receiver

-- 10:50 A.M. - 1:30 P.M.

SOUTH CAROLINA | Coach Steve Spurrier; Patrick DiMarco, Screw; Cliff Matthews, defensive end; Shaq Wilson, linebacker

VANDERBILT | Interim Coach Robbie Caldwell; Chris Marve, linebacker; Warren Norman, running back; John Stokes, linebacker
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FRIDAY
-- 8:30 - 11:10 A.M.

AUBURN | Coach Gene Chizik; Josh Bynes, linebacker; Aairon Savage, defensive back; Lee Ziemba, offensive tackle

TENNESSEE | Coach Derek Dooley; Nick Reveiz, linebacker; Luke Stocker, tight end; Chris Walker, defensive end
-- 10:50 - 1:30 P.M.

LSU | Coach Les Miles; Jordan Jefferson, quarterback; Patrick Peterson, defensive back; Kelvin Sheppard, linebacker

OLE MISS | Coach Houston Nutt; Kentrell Lockett, defensive end; Jerrell Powe, defensive tackler; Bradley Sowell, offensive tackle