UNDATED (AP) — Several of the Southeastern Conference's six new coaches made a run at “winning” the league's annual media days event in Tampa, Florida. Florida's Jon Sumrall showed the kind of candor that has his players and fanbase fired up for the program's future. Arkansas' Ryan Silverfield, Kentucky's Will Stein and Mississippi's Pete Golding shared the spotlight with colorful and confident remarks that overshadowed the week's main attraction — new LSU coach Lane Kiffin. Now, more importantly, the league's six new faces will try to prove they can win on the football field.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Georgia is the preseason pick to win the Southeastern Conference championship. That's according to voters attending the league’s annual media days event in Tampa. The Bulldogs received 88 of 164 votes to reach the title game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in early December. Texas was the second choice, with 57 votes, and Mississippi a distant third. Texas A&M, Alabama, Oklahoma, LSU and Kentucky also received votes. Only 10 times since 1992 has the media’s preseason predicted champion proceeded to win the SEC title game. Media also voted on preseason All-SEC teams, with Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss edging Texas’ Arch Manning for first-team quarterback.
UNDATED (AP) — The NCAA Division I Board of Directors is standing firm on its new age-based eligibility rule despite legal challenges. The rule allows athletes five seasons of competition over a five-year period starting with full-time enrollment or the academic year after their 19th birthday. Lawsuits have been filed, arguing the rule unfairly limits athletes' college careers. The board insists the rule is well-informed and widely supported. It eliminates waivers for extended eligibility, except for specific cases like military service. The SEC supports the rule although some leaders have concerns about its timing and effectiveness.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Texas quarterback Arch Manning, a top NFL draft prospect, isn't losing focus on the future. Speaking at SEC Media Days, he emphasized staying present and handling expectations. He faced a challenging 2025 season with Texas but bounced back, leading the team to a 7-1 finish. Texas has strengthened its roster for the upcoming season. Coach Steve Sarkisian praised Manning's resilience, saying most would have crumbled under similar pressure.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Even Lane Kiffin supports the “Lane Kiffin Rule." That rule is a Congress-proposed provision that would fix the longstanding problem of college coaches bailing on their teams while the season is still going. The LSU coach, whose move from Mississippi last season lit up his sport, spoke at SEC Media Days. He says a law that outlawed in-season moves could be helpful for future coaches who find themselves in his situation. Kiffin says "I do hope for future people, that’s fixed so that you’re not in that same predicament.”
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Mississippi coach Pete Golding says he has no ill will toward his old boss, Lane Kiffin. Golding was Kiffin's defensive coordinator at Ole Miss last year before Kiffin abruptly left the school for LSU just as the Rebels were about to make the College Football Playoff. Golding got Kiffin's job. At his first SEC Media Days as the head coach, Golding said he remains friends with Kiffin and even bought his old house. He says he sees why some might still hold a grudge but he never did. The two square off Sept. 19 in Kiffin's first return to Oxford since leaving for Baton Rouge.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Georgia running back Dante Dowdell was injured in a recent off-campus accident and Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart didn’t offer specifics. ESPN reported that Dowdell was involved in an ATV accident. The outlet confirmed with Smart that Dowdell is receiving care at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, a medical facility specializing in treatment and rehabilitation for spinal cord and brain injuries. Dowdell transferred to Georgia after rushing for 560 yards and three scores last season for Kentucky. The tailback from Picayune, Mississippi, was slated to compete for carries behind starter Nate Frazier.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Some of the Southeastern Conference's longest rivalries are on hiatus. The league is introducing a nine-game conference slate in an attempt to boost strength of schedule for what is now a playoff system that has a committee awarding seven at-large spots in the 12-team field. It means no Tennessee-Florida matchup for the first time in 37 years. LSU-Alabama is on the way out and Florida-LSU and Georgia-Tennessee are gone, too. Under the new system, in place through 2029, each school will play three “annual” foes. It's the price of progress in the SEC, which has grown from 10 teams in the old days to 16 now.