The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
SEC MEDIA DAYS 5 THINGS TO WATCH
Yes, it’s July and hot. But in the South, it’s also time to start talking college football. SEC Media Days start Monday in Hoover, Alabama. That means a new season has arrived.
Will Georgia win the East this year?
Georgia coach Kirby Smart will make his second appearance at SEC Media Days after his debut as a head coach in 2016. He is scheduled to talk Tuesday. The big question he could face: Is this the year Georgia will win the East? With sophomore QB Jacob Eason in his second year in the system, and running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel returning, the Bulldogs should be favored. Of course the defending East champion Florida Gators will have something to say about that.
Arkansas coach is now a father
Bret Bielema is now a dad. The Arkansas coach tweeted a picture of his daughter, Briella Nichole Bielema, who was born Saturday at 4:44 a.m. You know Bielema will get a few questions on what it’s like to be a new dad. Bielema on Twitter: “Beyond anything @jenbielema & I could ever dream of as parents.”
Alabama leaving QB at home not unusual
Alabama’s sophomore QB Jalen Hurts will miss Media Days again. It’s not as if the reigning SEC offensive player of the year would be ignored. It’s just the Tide have other marquee players (two seniors and one junior) they are bringing to Hoover. Coach Nick Saban has only brought two of his top QBs to this event: Greg McElroy in 2010 and AJ McCarron in 2013.
Can Gators finally take the championship?
The Gators have made it to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game in each of the first two seasons under coach Jim McElwain, where they were dominated by Alabama (56-14 in 2016 and 29-15 in 2015). Florida will be projected to finish either first or second in the East this season, making a third trip to the conference title game a strong possibility. Should the Gators win the East again, they will be the first team to win the SEC East in three straight seasons since they made it to the title game five straight times from 1992-96. Auburn’s Malzahn facing critical year
Gus Malzahn is entering his fifth year as Auburn’s coach. His team was 8-5 last year. The offense struggled at times, which was a surprise under the offensive-minded Malzahn. The defense was the strength of the team. Expectations are high for first-year coordinator Chip Lindsey. You know Malzahn will be asked about turning over the offense to Lindsey.