LITTLE ROCK — When the tally was revealed of how members of the media had predicted the finish of the SEC standings for the coming football season, no one was surprised to see Ole Miss received one first-place vote.
The Rebels received one last year, too, and apparently the guy casting that No. 1 at Ole Miss is affiliated with the school on a part-time basis.
Even with the homer vote, Ole Miss had the fewest points of all 14 teams. LSU had the most.
The way the media picked it, in the East the finish would be Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Missouri, Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky.
In the West, it was LSU, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Ole Miss. Here was my vote, and why:
WEST
LSU Les Miles lost 10 starters, but he is gaining the best quarterback he may have had as the Tigers’ head coach. And John Chavis is a great defensive coordinator. ALABAMA It returns only 10 starters, but it will not have much drop-off after three No. 1 recruiting classes. Nick Saban coaches them up; players knock them down.
ARKANSAS John L. Smith needs to win a bunch of games to keep the head coaching job. He has to keep Knile Davis healthy to do that and find a way to fill the leadership gaps on defense. Tyler Wilson is a winner.
AUBURN If the Tigers can establish a quarterback, they could be dangerous. The defense will be improved.
MISSISSIPPI STATE The Bulldogs have to play at Alabama and LSU but could be 7-0 before going to Tuscaloosa, Ala. That would make it easier to rebound.
TEXAS A&M The Aggies may be proud to be in the SEC, but being in the Western Division was not a stroke of luck. They get to play what may have been the three best teams in the country last year, definitely in the SEC, and they will every year.
OLE MISS Hugh Freeze has 13 starters back from a 2-10 team that didn’t win a conference game. His offense may score some points, but his defense will have to stop someone.
EAST
GEORGIA This could have been a tie with South Carolina. The edge goes to the Bulldogs because despite having to go to Columbia, S.C., they don’t play LSU, Alabama or Arkansas.
SOUTH CAROLINA Steve Spurrier has turned the Gamecocks into contenders for the East title, but he wants more. The past four years he has recruited better players who are also better citizens.
VANDERBILT James Franklin is about to become a household name. He has 16 starters back, and 15 of those are upperclassmen.
FLORIDA Will Muschamp has 17 starters back, including 10 on defense, but his pro-style offense needs to find a way to get in the end zone. Five times last season the Gators scored 12 points or fewer, and they lost all five games.
TENNESSEE Derek Dooley will save his job with eight victories if he beats North Carolina State in the season opener. The Vols need stability, not change.
MISSOURI Gary Pinkel needs to make a statement in his second game when the Tigers host Georgia. That will be asking a lot. He follows that up with Arizona State and trips to South Carolina and Central Florida. He might want to visit with whoever does his nonconference scheduling.
KENTUCKY Joker Phillips has only 11 starters back from a disappointing season. Good thing he’s not the basketball coach or the hot seat would be much warmer.
Sports, Pages 23 on 07/29/2012