Does the sun
League media event marks start of 2017 football season
shine a little brighter today? Is the air slightly more refreshing? It must be because college football season has returned.
There’s nothing like the Southeastern Conference’s annual football media days.
No other league can even come close to the buzz generated today through Thursday in Hoover, Ala.
Where else would Alabama’s Nick Saban or ESPN’s Paul Finebaum be treated like rock stars surrounded by fans crammed into the lobby of The Wynfrey Hotel? Some fans are even decked out in costumes and wait for the chance to greet college football royalty.
Check out some of the elements to watch during this year’s SEC Media Days:
Times they are a changing
The Buzz: Since the last SEC Media Days, college football has been through some dramatic changes, most notably the sweeping reform of the recruiting calendar. If coaches were soured by the idea of starting preseason camp in a few weeks, they’ll love some of the NCAA’s latest ideas, including reworking transfer rules to allow players who transfer immediate eligibility if they meet certain academic requirements. Tack on a proposal to ex-
demic requirements. Tack on a proposal to expand the length of the regular season to 14 weeks and there’s sure to be sharp criticism delivered by SEC coaches.
What’s up with the SEC East?
The Buzz: While Alabama will most likely be the overwhelming pick to win the West Division again, the SEC East is anyone’s guess. Last year, the media picked Tennessee to win the division and we all know how that went. Florida is the two-time defending champion, but the Gators aren’t necessarily a lock to make it three in a row despite the addition of Notre Dame transfer quarterback Malik Zaire. Georgia is loaded on defense, but the Bulldogs haven’t been a factor since 2012. Whichever team captures the East most likely won’t be tabbed to win the SEC championship. An East team hasn’t accomplished that feat since Florida in 2008.
Rebels in the spotlight again
The Buzz: At this time last year, Ole Miss had just received a notice of allegations from the NCAA, with the organization beginning an investigation into the athletic department and allegations football players received improper benefits. A year later, coach Hugh Freeze will once again face intense scrutiny during his press conference Thursday morning. The school admitted to “significant violations” in its response to the NCAA in June, but it vehemently denied any wrongdoing by Freeze, including NCAA claims of “lack of institutional control.”
Ole Miss will most likely plead its case to the NCAA in August. The Rebels are serving a self-imposed bowl ban this season, but they could face a longer and more damaging sentence.
Where have the good times gone?
The Buzz: Nobody could light up a room like Steve Spurrier. When the Head Ball Coach entered the ballroom at SEC Media Days, reporters would be guaranteed at least 20 minutes of entertaining stories. Former LSU coach Les Miles would open up his remarks every year with stories of his summer vacation with his family. Unfortunately, those days are gone and it falls on someone else to take over that mantle.
Will it be Arkansas’s Brett Bielema? South Carolina’s Will Muschamp? Or perhaps Florida’s Jim McElwain?