Most preseason predictions for the SEC are out, and as expected, the heavy favorite to win the West and the conference championship is Alabama.
Not here.
It would probably be smart to always pick against the media who cover the SEC, since they have predicted the correct outcome four times since 1992.
At Birmingham, Ala., in July, the media went with Alabama.
They might get this one right, because the Crimson Tide have been the nation's dominant football team since Nick Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa.
However, yours truly is going with the most experienced team from the West, which will still be better than the East, and that's LSU.
Here's how the ballot looked in Birmingham.
WEST
1. LSU Brandon Harris had some off games, but overall the Tigers' quarterback was not awful. He passed for 2,165 yards, 13 touchdowns and suffered 6 interceptions. If he improves 10 percent and Leonard Fournette stays healthy, it could be an exciting year on offense. The defense has nine starters back.
2. ALABAMA The Tide have 11 starters back, more than enough to be good, but this year they travel to Ole Miss, Arkansas, Tennessee and LSU. If they don't lose at least one of those games, Saban should be named Emperor of College Football.
3. ARKANSAS Lot of offensive questions, and the second game of the season is at TCU. However, the defensive front and linebackers should be improved, and that will help the secondary. Great group of receivers to help quarterback Austin Allen develop.
4. OLE MISS Huge year for Hugh Freeze. The Rebels have the SEC's best quarterback in Chad Kelly, but Freeze has to replace 12 starters, and the NCAA and SEC are watching the Rebels very closely.
5. AUBURN The Plains is a strange place. Amid rumors Gus Malzahn is on the hot seat, he got a raise. He gets the most out of his players, especially on offense, but the Tigers need an every-down back and a steadier quarterback.
6. TEXAS A&M The Aggies have been lucky, especially against the Arkansas Razorbacks the past two seasons. They lost four of their last seven regular-season games last year and five of seven the year before. Kevin Sumlin starts to feel a little heat.
7. MISSISSIPPI STATE Never count Dan Mullen out, especially for getting bowl eligible. But quarterback Dak Prescott is gone, and he'll be hard to replace. Bulldogs will win one they shouldn't, maybe Egg Bowl.
EAST
1. TENNESSEE Butch Jones has 17 starters back, including nine on offense. So, there will be no acceptable excuse for not winning its division. The Vols may have the SEC's most favorable schedule. Only really tough road game is at Georgia.
2. FLORIDA Yes, the Gators have to find a quarterback, but Jim McElwain is an outstanding coach who has a lot of team speed to work with. They do have a tough schedule but return 12 starters from a 10-victory season.
3. GEORGIA Many reporters seem to have Kirby Smart fever, but he's yet to be a head coach, and while he learned at the knee of Saban, he also has to worry about offense, where injuries at running back have been a problem.
4. KENTUCKY Tough schedule, but the offense returns nine starters. Wildcats football improving. Really.
5. VANDERBILT Derek Mason stepped into a mess, but he's been patient and diligent. Now, he's got 15 starters back.
6. SOUTH CAROLINA Will Muschamp is not Steve Spurrier. Besides, he can't afford to bail out before the season is finished.
7. MISSOURI This program has more problems than anyone could have imagined two years ago. Defense is the Tigers' biggest hope.
OVERALL CHAMPS LSU.
Sports on 08/21/2016