SEC PRIMER: Media Days is back but not better than ever

By GRAHAM DUNN

Its’ the end of an era.

That’s a good thing (maybe).

The Southeastern Conference, which ends 12 years of 12 teams with only about half having a shot at the championship every year, will use this moment to flash the brilliance of numerous national championships and Heisman winners to the masses, while turning what was a “true” media event into a television marvel.

After 2023, here comes Texas and Oklahoma.

As for the previous VIP invitees (the press), it’s a different world behind the walls of, in this case, the Grand Hyatt in Nashville, where stars shine in a multitude of ways.

There is no longer a true home for Media Days. Birmingham is a distant memory.

This year it’s the bright lights of Music City. Last year it was Atlanta.

Next year?

The SEC office dubiously offers the event to nearly everyone who can look good on the plasma (that’s TV for old timers) while creating a big scene. Obviously the Magic City doesn’t fit the bill anymore.

Nashville is a relatively easy drive from just about anywhere… except Florida and Louisiana and Texas and parts of Alabama that still has dirt roads.

But the trip has a price and unless the attendees have deep pockets, it will cost an arm and a leg plus a couple of toes to pay for hotels, parking and any outside dining that is to be enjoyed.

Yes, the cost of doing business has gone up everywhere and on everything but this is not about taking it easy on the little guy. This is all about who is really welcome and who must find the bullet to bite to make the trip.

ESPN all but runs this ordeal now. All of the interviews meets their criteria on their time clocks and most everything (with an exception of a few breakout rooms for the likes of Sirius-XM and CBS) is based on that clock. Media members have not been allowed any one-on-one time in years (other than a few radio stations), which means we all get the same canned answers to the usually tepid questions.

On a rare occasion a reporter has the courage to enter into the muck and challenge a coach with something inquisitive.

Unfortunately, the answer has been rehearsed a few times and the one shot gets nuked with a digressive response that only leaves more questions.

Don’t worry, it will be so much better as the league has decided to follow in the footsteps of its NFL patriarchy and add a musical guest to the attraction. Something called “Midland” will perform near the Cumberland River on Tuesday. And yes, it’s free to the public. We are all counting the minutes.

It might sound like sour grapes but the fact is it’s getting harder and harder to do this job. Add to the fact that very little will come from the week’s festivities from the daily ritual other than a few “Go Vols” and dog barks, there’s not much to see here (we all wish for a surprise fist fight on Radio Row).

Next year, the league will move the event to another town where more fans can crowd into the mezzanine for an autograph or a photo shoot with the local paper (scratch that, there are no more local papers). Look out Houston or New Orleans or Charlotte. You are the next contestant on the SEC version of the “Price is Right” to host this affair.

On the actual football side of the four days, what can we expect from the coaches and players? Who will wear the most outstanding outfit? The most outlandish one? Who will wear new jewelry?

No, we aren’t going to ask what that pinky ring cost… at least most will not. We go looking for answers to the upcoming season and a fashion show breaks out.

Heaven help us.

Here is a brief look at each team with a key question or two in the order in which the teams appear. We also take a guess at where teams will be picked in the annual Media Days poll.

MONDAY

Morning session

LSU (6-2, Tied for 1st in SEC WEST, 10-4 overall in 2022)

Coach: Brian Kelly (2nd year)

Players visiting Nashville this week: Jayden Daniels, Josh Williams, Mekhi Wingo

Questions for the Tigers: Can you do it again, as in win the West? Can the offense be better with a second year of QB Jayden Daniels? Was last year a sign of what’s to come or did the Tigers just catch the Crimson Tide at the right time?

SEC MEDIA WILL SAY…: 2nd place finish in the West behind the Crimson Tide, but only slightly.

Afternoon session

TEXAS A&M (2-6, Tied for 6th in SEC WEST, 5-7 overall in 2022)

Coach: Jimbo Fisher (6th year)

Players visiting Nashville this week: Fadil Diggs, McKinnley Jackson, Ainias Smith

Questions for the Aggies: What will it take to turn around the fortunes of the nation’s most expensive team? Is Jimbo on the hot seat? Can QB Conner Weigman stay healthy?

SEC MEDIA WILL SAY…: 4th place in the West with a shot at being much lower.

MISSOURI (3-5, Tied for 6th in SEC East, 6-7 overall in 2022)

Coach: Eli Drinkwitz (4th year)

Players visiting Nashville this week: Kris Abrams-Draine, Javon Foster, Darius Robinson

Questions for the Tigers: What are the true expectations for Tiger fans this season? Is another .500 season in the making? Will QB Brady Cook be the starter after an injury in the early part of 2023?

SEC MEDIA WILL SAY…: 6th place in the East with an upset probably thrown in for good measure.


TUESDAY

Morning session

VANDERBILT (2-6, Tied for 6th in SEC EAST, 5-7 overall in 2022)

Coach: Clark Lea (3rd year)

Players visiting Nashville this week: Ethan Barr, Jaylen Mahoney, Will Sheppard

Questions for the ‘Dores: Is a .500 record reachable and with it the school’s first bowl game since 2018? Can the Vandy ‘D’ stop anybody this season after finishing near last nationally in total defense (461 ypg)?

SEC MEDIA WILL SAY…: Last place finish in the East.

GEORGIA (8-0, SEC CHAMPS, 15-0/NATIONAL CHAMPS in 2022)

Coach: Kirby Smart (8th year)

Players visiting Nashville this week: Brock Bowers, Kamari Lassiter, Sedrick Van Pran

Questions for the Dawgs: Can UGA do the impossible - 3-peat for a national title? The off-the-field issues with speeding violations - will they hinder the Bulldogs’ chances for another title? Is there anybody on their schedule that has a shot to pull the upset?

SEC MEDIA WILL SAY…: 1st in the East and a chance to win another national title.


Afternoon session

AUBURN (2-6, Tied for 6th in SEC WEST, 5-7 overall in 2022)

Coach: Hugh Freeze (1st year)

Players visiting Nashville this week: Luke Deal, Elijah McAllister, Kameron Stutts

Questions for the Tigers: Can Hugh Freeze move past his past and lead the Tigers to respectability? What is the status of RB Jarquez Hunter, who had a domestic disturbance in the off season? Who will win the QB job? Is Auburn a dark horse in the West?

SEC MEDIA WILL SAY…: 5th place finish in the West and back in the bowl bonanza.

MISSISSIPPI STATE (4-4, tied for 3rd in SEC WEST, 9-4 overall in 2022)

Coach: Zach Arnett (1st year)

Players visiting Nashville this week: Jaden Crumedy, Jo’quavious Marks, Will Rogers

Questions for the Bulldogs: What will the mindset be without the endearing Mike Leach? How much will Will Rogers throw with a new offensive mindset?

SEC MEDIA WILL SAY…: Last in the West but still possibly eligible for a bowl game.


WEDNESDAY

Morning session

ALABAMA (6-2, Tied for 1st in SEC WEST, 11-2 overall in 2022)

Coach: Nick Saban (17th year)

Players visiting Nashville this week: JC Latham, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Dallas Turner

Questions for the Tide: Will the change at defensive coordinator alleviate the fans’ complaints of former DC Pete Golding? Will the three-way battle at quarterback end in the good graces of Saban and new offensive coordinator Tommy Reese? Is the dynasty really over?

SEC MEDIA WILL SAY…: 1st in the West with a shot at Georgia in the SEC Championship.

ARKANSAS (3-5, 5th place in WEST, 7-6 overall in 2022)

Coach: Sam Pittman (4th year)

Players visiting Nashville this week: Landon Jackson, KJ Jefferson, Raheim Sanders

Questions for the Hogs: Can QB KJ Jefferson stay healthy? Will Arkansas be able to fill the holes on defense and improve? How long a leash is HC Sam Pittman on?

SEC MEDIA WILL SAY…: 3rd in the West with a shot at being a bit of a surprise in the league.


Afternoon session

FLORIDA (3-5, Tied for 4th in SEC EAST, 6-7 overall in 2022)

Coach: Billy Napier (2nd year)

Players visiting Nashville this week: Kingsley Eguakun, Jason Marshall Jr., Ricky Pearsall

Questions for the Gators: Can UF be better without QB Anthony Richardson? Can the Gators find some consistency? Will the expectations do in Billy Napier’s chances of hanging on the job?

SEC MEDIA WILL SAY…: 5th place finish in the East with another .500 season.

KENTUCKY (3-5, tied for 4th in SEC EAST, 7-6 overall in 2022)

Coach:Mark Stoops (11th year)

Players visiting Nashville this week: Eli Cox, Octavious Oxendine, J.J. Weaver

Questions for the Wildcats: With QB Devin Leary under center, will the Cats surpass expectations from a year ago? Will KY be the team to break through and hand Georgia a loss (it would come on the road)? How many transfers will be in the starting lineup come Labor Day weekend?

SEC MEDIA WILL SAY…: 4th place and a trip to a New Year’s Day bowl.

THURSDAY

Morning/afternoon session

OLE MISS (4-4, Tied for 4th in SEC WEST, 8-5 overall in 2022)

Coach: Lane Kiffin (5th year)

Players visiting Nashville this week: Cedric Johnson, Quinshon Judkins, Deantre Prince

Questions for the Rebels: Can Quinshon Judkins be an All-American running back? What does defensive coordinator Pete Golding bring for the defense? Can Lane Kiffin lead the Rebs to a better finish without an outstanding defense?

SEC MEDIA WILL SAY…: 6th in the West.

SOUTH CAROLINA (4-4, 3rd place in EAST, 8-5 overall in 2022)

Coach: Shane Beamer (3rd year)

Players visiting Nashville this week: Tonka Hemingway, Kai Kroeger, Spencer Rattler

Questions for the Gamecocks: Will this be a breakout season for QB Spencer Rattler? Can the ‘Cocks follow the good fortune of two season-ending wins over Tennessee and Clemson? Will lack of depth rear its ugly head as the season goes?

SEC MEDIA WILL SAY…: 3rd in the East but possibly threatening for 2nd if things fall right.


TENNESSEE (6-2, 2nd place in EAST, 11-2 overall in 2022)

Coach: Josh Heupel (3rd year)

Players visiting Nashville this week: Joe Milton III, Omari Thomas, Jacob Warren

Questions for the Vols: Can Joe Milton be Hendon Hooker, Pt. 2? Can the defense support another productive offense enough to get past Georgia? Can UT win in Tuscaloosa?

SEC MEDIA WILL SAY…: 2nd place finish in the East but could scare Georgia.