UT, Vandy picked at bottom of SEC East poll
Alabama and Georgia are the overwhelming preseason picks to meet in the SEC championship game in a rematch of last season’s national title game, according to SEC media voting.
However, Tennessee drew one vote to win the East Division despite posting its first winless SEC record in program history last season. Media members are not required to make their ballots public.
Overall, UT was picked sixth in the East with 704 voting points. Offensive tackle Trey Smith was voted to the preseason first team.
Vanderbilt was tabbed last in the East with 392 points, and it did not have a player on the preseason team. Last season, Vanderbilt beat UT 42-24, and they will meet again on Nov. 24 in Nashville.
Pruitt, Mason face low expectations
New UT coach Jeremy Pruitt and fifth-year Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason spent this week addressing, and sometimes combating, low expectations at SEC Media Days in Atlanta.
Pruitt isn’t accustomed to such a low bar. His last coaching appearance was as defensive coordinator for Alabama in the national title game. But Pruitt, who also coached at Georgia, faced strong criticism this week from former Bulldog players Aaron Murray and David Pollack, both current TV analysts.
Mason, whose only SEC win last season was against UT, pumped up his roster and coaching staff changes Thursday. Apparently, it did not sway media members voting on the preseason poll.
“For you media out there — and there’s been media out there that spoke to the idea that our game is one to be overlooked — watch out,” Mason said. “I’m telling you right now, this team is going to show up. We’re going to play well.”