The new-look Southeastern Conference is off and running as SEC Media Days began in Dallas Monday with the LSU Tigers, Vanderbilt Commodores, South Carolina Gamecocks and Ole Miss Rebels taking center stage along with Greg Sankey. Here are our five biggest takeaways.
No tiebreaker yet with SEC Media Days underway
In typical Sankey fashion, there wasn’t enough given on expansion to make a statement on it. The new technology with the Apple iPad was also relevant. However, the biggest story from his presser is that the league still hasn’t determined a tiebreaker in this divisionless format for which two teams would play for the conference championship each year. Why are they so behind on this? It’s becoming an issue.
Ole Miss embraces expectations at SEC Media Days
If you listened to Lane Kiffin and Jaxson Dart speak at the event, you would think the Rebels are a perennial national title contender. Well, they may have their most talented team yet. Dart said the program is at his peak, and Kiffin said he’s dealing with “rat poison,” the old Nick Saban phrase to specifically deal with getting too much respect.
Brian Kelly, LSU avoid key change on defense
Last year’s Tigers saw a Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback whose season was sabotaged by the defense. The issue was Harold Perkins playing middle linebacker and not edge rusher. Well, the offense should still be great with Garrett Nussmeier replacing Jayden Daniels, but Kelly’s answer to Perkins was firing the defensive staff and putting on more weight. As a result, the issues will likely persist.
Shane Beamer, South Carolina delusional
To this point, Shane Beamer’s claim to fame with the Gamecocks has been beating the Tennessee Vols and Clemson Tigers in November of 2022. They may have had help from Conor Stallions. Last year, he went 5-7, and now he’s lost Spencer Rattler. However, he said the program as no ceiling at SEC Media Days. Maybe it doesn’t, but it certainly does with him in charge.
Vanderbilt no different under Clark Lea
After a 5-7 season and what seemed like a strong finish in 2022, it was clear last year that Vandy wasn’t going anywhere, and they went 2-10 under Clark Lea. Now, Lea says he’s embracing a clean slate, and he touted changes to the program Monday while entering his fourth year. Changes are a sign of desperation, and it’s clear that he’s changed nothing about the Commodores’ long-term issues.
