Search SiteSearch OptionsSearch Web

MSN Home | Mail | My MSN

Media Says Florida is the Pick
Tim Tebow
Tim Tebow
By Heath Cline
FightinGators.com Columnist
Posted Jul 25, 2008

| More

HOOVER, Ala. -- The Southeastern Conference has released the results of the preseason vote at SEC Media Days, and Florida was deemed the choice to win both the Eastern Division and the conference championship.

The bigger surprise was the voting margin, with Florida doubling Georgia's vote counts 45-23 in the divisional voting and 36-18 in the overall championship. Many had expected the voting to be extremely close, with each team having been selected as the nation's best in multiple college preview magazines.

It has to be noted that media participation in the vote was not stellar. Out of an estimated 850 credentials issued by the conference, only 70 people voted. The breakdown of those who did are not available, so its not clear whether a vote of nine percent of the assembled media really reflects the mindset of observers that well. Media support might not be a blessing for the Gators either - last season was the first time this decade the media had gotten their pick of conference champion correct.

Auburn was selected as the likely Western Division champ, a vote likely impacted substantially by LSU's quarterback situation being so unstable. Tommy Tuberville's team won 48 first place votes to LSU's 21. Auburn was selected to win the conference by 13 voters, while the defending BCS champs had just one voter project them as the conference's best.

The complete order of finish in the Eastern Division was Florida, Georgia, Tennessee (with two first place votes and one overall selection), South Carolina, Kentucky and Vanderbilt. In the Western Division it was Auburn, LSU, Alabama, Mississippi State, Ole Miss (with one vote to win the division and conference - some guy does it every year and no one knows who it is) and Arkansas bringing up the rear.



Related Stories
Foster Likes Addition of Drayton
 -by FightinGators.com  Jul 25, 2008
Five Gators on All-SEC Team
 -by FightinGators.com  Jul 25, 2008
SEC Media Days - Day 3 Notebook East
 -by FightinGators.com  Jul 25, 2008

Story Tools
Top Stories 
Search Stories 
Discuss on Forums 

MAGAZINE COVERAGE
Get the 2010 Recruiting Yearbook and a full year of Fightin' Gators Magazine with an Annual Total Access Pass.
Sign Up Today!

Upgrade Now!
Free Email Newsletter
Don't miss any news or features from FightinGators.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to have our newest articles emailed to you on a daily or weekly basis.
Click here for a list of all Team Newsletters.

Add Topics to My HotList
Get free email alerts with news about your favorite topics. Click link to add to My HotList.
Football > Florida
[View My HotList]