If it matters, Vols picked to win SEC title

SEC media members picked the Vols as a clear favorite to win their first SEC championship since the national championship season of 1998.

It wasn't even close.

Tennessee received 37 votes, compared to 21 for Florida, 16 for LSU and six for Georgia.

The predicted finish in the SEC East has Tennessee followed by Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Kentucky.

In the West, LSU is a heavy favorite followed by Auburn, Alabama, Arkansas, Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

First-year LSU coach Les Miles, for one, wasn't impressed.

"I never really paid much attention to polls and preseason predictions," he said on Friday. "I think it's a compliment to the talent that's on our team.

"I don't think talent in and of itself is the reason why you win championships. I don't think that will determine where we finish. It will be a character and style and chemistry that's developed through a season at LSU."

UT, Florida Top All-SEC: The two teams expected to vie for the East crown each placed nine players on the media's preseason All-SEC team. Tennessee had five first-team selections.

Junior tackle Arron Sears and senior running back Gerald Riggs Jr., were first team picks on offense for UT. Senior guard Cody Douglas made the second team.

On defense, UT had three first-team selections and two on the second team. Senior defensive end Parys Haralson, senior tackle Jesse Mahelona and senior cornerback Jason Allen made first team. Senior linebackers Kevin Simon and Omar Gaither were second-team picks.

Kicker James Wilhoit, returning from off-season foot surgery, also made the second team.

Urban, Clausen Go Way Back: UT quarterback Rick Clausen didn't have to be introduced to first-year Florida coach Urban Meyer.

He broke away from the media horde earlier this week to shake hands with Meyer.

"Coach Meyer recruited my brother Casey when he was coming out of high school," Clausen said. "Coach Meyer was at Notre Dame at the time and we went up there for camp.

"He was a very nice guy. He took care of me and Casey when we went around and I'm really excited for him to be in the SEC."

We'll see if that sentiment holds up when UT faces Florida in Gainesville on Sept. 17.

Meyer, former Utah coach, obviously made an impression on the Clausen clan, not only with his flare as an offensive mastermind, but his confidence.

"I always knew he had a little swagger about him," Clausen said. "He knew exactly what he was doing.

"It's a fun, innovative new offense and it produces yards and points. That's always fun at the quarterback position. I'd rather have a high-scoring game than a 3-3 battle."

Brooks' Job Security: Kentucky coach Rich Brooks was caught off guard on Friday.

He couldn't figure out why it took so long for the print media to ask him about his job security. It was question No. 10 of his session.

"I am amazed it took that long for somebody to ask that question," Brooks said. "I have answered that in every room I have been in about the first question in the door."

His answer was simple.

"Job security is a tenuous thing in athletics today, and certainly in the SEC," he said. "I can't control job security. All I can do is control the direction we're headed and the plan and the path to achieve bringing Kentucky out of probation.

"We're going to do it the right way. Whether I'm allowed to finish the process or not, I can't control that."

Harper's Trip: No trip to Knoxville. No trip to Baton Rouge.

The combination equals a sigh of relief in the mind of Alabama defensive back Roman Harper.

"It helps us a lot not having to go on the road for our dangerous games like Tennessee and LSU," he said. "This is a really great conference and it's hard to go out and compete against any of those teams."

Surprise. Surprise. Harper also placed UT on Alabama's most wanted list, along with Auburn.

"I think that our biggest rivalries are definitely Tennessee and Auburn," he said. "Those two games and LSU are great to play in.

"Everyone gets geared up for those games, but I think the fans take it harder than the players. We just go out and have fun."