HOOVER, Ala. - Big news from here in Alabama, if media predictions count as big news.
The Gators got 36 votes to win the conference, with Georgia (18) trailing behind with half as many votes. Auburn got 13, while LSU, Tennessee and Ole Miss clocked in with one apiece.
UF received 45 first-place votes in the Eastern Division, followed by Georgia (23) and Tennessee (2). No one picked South Carolina, Kentucky or Vandy to win the division.
In the Western Division, Auburn won handily with 48 first-place votes. LSU came in a distant second with 21. Alabama, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Arkansas rounded out the group, with only fifth-place-finishing Ole Miss given a single first-place vote. I don't know what that writer was thinking. Ole Miss is going to be terrible.
As for the individual accolades, the Gators have five All-SEC first-teamers. Tight end Cornelius Ingram, quarterback Tim Tebow and wide receiver Percy Harvin made the cut on offense, linebacker Brandon Spikes was the only Gator on the defensive first team, and kick returner Brandon James made the cut for the special teams.
No Gators made the second team.
Of the 800 or so media members here, only 70 voted.