COLUMBIA, S.C. — The first SEC preseason media poll in the new 16-team league has been released, and South Carolina has been picked to finish 13th ahead of Arkansas, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt.
With divisions eliminated, the top two teams will meet in the SEC Championship. Georgia and newcomer Texas are expected to battle for the title in December.
SEC PRESEASON MEDIA POLL
Georgia (165) 3330
Texas (27) 3041
Alabama (12) 2891
Ole Miss (4) 2783
LSU (2) 2322
Missouri 2240
Tennessee 2168
Oklahoma 2022
Texas A&M 1684
Auburn 1382
Kentucky 1371
Florida 1146
South Carolina (1) 923
Arkansas 749
Mississippi State 623
Vanderbilt (2) 293
Five South Carolina players were named Preseason-All-SEC.
Linebacker Debo Williams and transfer running back Rocket Sanders are on the second team, along with long snapper Hunter Rogers, the Spring Valley graduate/
Defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway and junior defensive back Nick Emmanwori, an Irmo product, were named Third Team Preseason All-SEC.
