Lady Vols tabbed second in the SEC by softball coaches

The softball coaches in the SEC are expecting a two-team race.

At this point, the odds are just barely against Tennessee.

The No. 9 Lady Vols and No. 2 Florida split the 11 championship votes from the coaches around the league in the preseason poll released on Monday. And with just one ballot separating the rivals, the Gators will go into the year as the slight favorite in both the East Division and in the conference overall.

The Lady Vols were picked to win the league crown by five coaches and earned a total of 15 voter points in the divisional ranking, totals that were both one shy of the Gators in perhaps the first tight race in what is expected to be a competitive year in the SEC -- particularly the East.

Along with UT and Florida, Kentucky and Georgia will both start the season ranked in the top 13 nationally according to the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll.

Kentucky (32 voter points), Georgia (35) and South Carolina (48) rounded out the SEC East poll.

Alabama was the unanimous choice to win the West, followed by LSU and Auburn in the voting.

Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.

2012 Preseason SEC Coaches Poll

Overall Conference Champion: Florida (6), TENNESSEE (5)

Eastern Division:

1. Florida (14 points)

2. TENNESSEE (15 points)

3. Kentucky (32 points)

4. Georgia (35 points)

5. South Carolina (48 points)

Western Division:

1. Alabama (10 points)

2. LSU (19 points)

3. Auburn (28 points)

4. Mississippi State (40 points)

5. Arkansas (46 points)

6. Ole Miss (54 points)