One of the fun parts about attending SEC Media Days is getting to fill out a ballot for the utterly meaningless preseason All-SEC teams and for the media rankings of the teams. This, of course, is a weighty responsibility, though C&F must convinced he just closed his eyes and pointed his finger at a name to get the offensive line for the All-SEC team. (Not really, but close.)
In the blog tradition of full disclosure, I'm posting my ballot before the full results are announced Friday.
The All-SEC team ballot:
Tight End | Cornelius Ingram, Florida |
Offensive Line | Michael Oher, Mississippi |
Trinton Sturdivant, Georgia | |
Chaz Ramsey, Auburn | |
Andre Smith, Alabama | |
Center | Antoine Caldwell, Alabama |
Wide Receiver | Kenny McKinley, South Carolina |
Percy Harvin, Florida | |
Quarterback | Tim Tebow, Florida |
Running Back | Knowshown Moreno, Georgia |
Arian Foster, Tennessee | |
Place Kicker | Daniel Lincoln, Tennessee |
Return Specialist | Brandon James, Florida |
Defensive Line | Peria Jerry, Mississippi |
Antonio Coleman, Auburn | |
Ricky Jean-Francois, LSU | |
Linebackers |
Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina |
Brandon Spikes, Florida | |
Darry Beckwith, LSU | |
Rico McCoy, Tennessee | |
Defensive Backs | D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt |
Captain Munnerlyn, South Carolina | |
Derek Pegues, Mississippi State | |
Rashad Johnson, Alabama | |
Punter | Ryan Shoemaker, Auburn |
Without doing a breakdown of each of the 25 positions, there are a minimal number of South Carolina players -- three, and all justifiable to C&F. The East-West balance is not too bad, 14-11, though he admits the skill players are tilted eastward. (Would you recommend John Parker Wilson for QB?)
The team projection ballot:
East | |
Georgia | C&F has been on this bandwagon all preseason and sees no reason to change it now |
Florida | De facto runner-up. Florida and Georgia are more 1a and 1b, but the Gators will fall in Jacksonville. |
South Carolina | This is equal parts a vote for South Carolina and a vote that no one else in the division looks worthy. |
Tennessee | Lose Cutcliffe and Ainge. That's too much to overcome. |
Kentucky | No, Kentucky fans, I'm not just sticking you in the traditional spot without thinking. But you don't lose as much talent as the Wildcats did and come back stronger. |
Vanderbilt | It'll be a long season. Even by the Dores' standards |
West | |
Auburn | It's about time for Tuberville to rise up again. LSU is headed for a good but not great season; no one else will come close. |
LSU | Always scarily talented. This team could almost coach itself, and some would argue it does. |
Alabama | St. Nick continues his five-year plan with a solid No. 3 showing. |
Mississippi State | The Bulldogs won't be world-beaters this year, but they won't regress too far from last year. |
Mississippi | Houston Nutt might get them to a bowl, but it's going to take another year for him to put them in contention. |
Arkansas | Houston Nutt players + Bobby Petrino system = MASSIVE FAIL |
Georgia beats Auburn to win the SEC crown. Ugh.