Tony Conner is a big-time player on the Rebels defense. (Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports)
There was less drama at SEC Media Days this year that in years partly because there were fewer superstars in attendance. That happens in a year where there is great quarterback turnover compared to last year when several teams had a record-setting signal caller.
Alabama and South Carolina were chosen by the media to win their divisions. I predict the winner of Auburn at Alabama will play South Carolina in Atlanta. A big deal has been made of the media predicting the winner of the league only four times since 1992. The reality is the conference is hard to predict because it has the best coaches and players, which means no team dominates for very long.
Media Days would be more enjoyable if the head coaches bought at least one coordinator with them. It would be fun to pick the brain of LSU’s John Chavis, Auburn’s Ellis Johnson and Alabama’s Kirby Smart.
AUBURN UPDATE: The biggest story for Auburn at SEC Media Days was not quarterback Nick Marshall’s absence after being cited by police for marijuana possession. Even though Marshall should have had to deal with the media, one of the biggest revelations of the meetings is the loss of Auburn defensive lineman Carl Lawson, who tore an ACL earlier in the spring, for possibly the entire season. One of the Auburn beat writers told me the loss of Lawson is big because of his pass-rush ability.
LONGEVITY: One of the reasons for the strength of the conference is the continuity of the coaches. Gary Pinkel of Missouri, Steve Spurrier of South Carolina, Mark Richt of Georgia, Les Miles of LSU have all been at their schools for nearly a decade or more. Spurrier and Miles are entering year 10. What Spurrier has done in the league is amazing considering he was at Florida for 12 years before coming to Columbia. His long tenure at two schools may never be accomplished again in league history.
MISSISSIPPI SCHOOLS: I’m slowly beginning to buy some of the hype that promises a big year for Mississippi State and Ole Miss. The reason why is defense. State and Ole Miss both return nine starters on defense. They also have two of the better quarterbacks in the league in Bo Wallace of Ole Miss and Dak Prescott of Mississippi State.
MULLINS AWARD: Ole Miss made a smart move in choosing Deterrian Shackelford to wear the Chucky Mullins No. 38 jersey. Mullins was a beloved player at Ole Miss who was paralyzed in a game in 1989. He died in 1991. Shackelfold, due to an injury- plagued career, is in his sixth year at Ole Miss. He deserves credit for being a leader and example for his teammates despite his injuries.
AHEAD OF SCHEDULE: Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said his team was ahead of schedule in his third year. He admitted that he didn’t originally think the Rebels would make a bowl game until his third season. The Rebels received some bad news last week when it was announced that receiver Collins Moore is out for four-to-six weeks with an injury. Moore was the most improved receiver during the spring. Look for Laquon Treadwell to be even better this season after gaining 12 pounds.
NO MORE MEDIA GUIDES: I’m in the minority, but I miss the guides that the media were given every year. This year all the media guides are on a jump drive except for the SEC media guide. I guess that is progress.
