SEC Media Days: Day One highlights, insight and more

It’s official, with the first day of SEC Media Days, the college football season has begun. Check out Monday’s highlights.

Day One of SEC Media Days was centered on Arkansas, LSU and Tennessee. That did not stop the media and other teams from talking about Alabama football.

Before we get into the details of Day One of 2017 SEC Media Days, a little tip of the hat to Tony Barnhart for reminding fans there once was something called the Skywriters Tour. Until it was discontinued back in the 1970’s the SEC would invite select college football reporters and charter fly them to all ten of the SEC schools.

Barnhart’s career goes back almost to the start of SEC Media Days in 1985. Barnhart said in the early years SEC Media Days drew about 100 people,

"When the 2017 meetings started on Monday morning with an opening address by Commissioner Greg Sankey, there were over 1,000 credentialed members of the media in the Wynfrey Hotel."

Today, SEC Media Days is a BIG show.

It may be chaos for those working the event but it is a joy for SEC football fans. Yes. “it does mean more.”

Commissioner Greg Sankey

Sankey reiterated division realignment is not an agenda item for the league. Doubtless, Vols and Aubies were disappointed. He also proudly reminded everyone the SEC won six national titles in 2016-17.

The big Sankey news was the creation of a six-member committee to analyze recruiting, new and potential rules. Committee members are coaches: Nick Saban; Barry Odom; Derek Mason and Gus Malzahn, along with AD’s Jeff Long and Scott Strickland. Per Bama Online,

"“We’ve recruited a group to work with myself and our staff with the athletic directors and head football coaches to engage in dialogue what is happening on the recruiting trail and what might optimally we seek as a longer term solution,”"

Arkansas

Arkansas coach Bret Bielema was entertaining. He told a funny story of being excited about getting a FaceTime call from Commissioner Sankey, only to realize he had actually “butt-called” Sankey.

Bielema’s quarterback, fifth-year senior Austin Allen was asked what it takes to beat Alabama,

Allen is a big plus for the Razorbacks. He led the SEC in passing last season and threw for 400 yards against the Tide. Check out our take on Austin Allen in 5 Best SEC QB’s not named Jalen Hurts.

LSU

After being away from SEC Media Days for ten years, Coach O was back on Monday. In his opening remarks, he came close to mentioning every player on the LSU roster. As expected, Coach O is very enthusiastic on the 2017 Bengal Tigers. He stated Derrius Guice could be the best running back in the nation.

Guice was decked out in a pink suit and while being asked to repeat a claim Alabama was scared against LSU last season, he ended up being asked if he was scared. He never answered the question.

Coach O gushed about the new exciting rivalry with the Florida Gators. On Alabama, Orgeron was asked about the gap between the schools and how much it mattered to his future to beat Alabama.

Tennessee

At least one Tennesse fan dreaded the Butch Jones SEC Media Days appearance.

When asked about the long losing streak against Alabama, Butch said,

While discussing the Vol quarterback situation, Jones said he was prepared to play both (Guarantano and Dormady.) Jones continued to tout the success of the Volunteer football program.

Day One was an interesting build-up. Even with Alabama football not being scheduled until Wednesday, plenty of media chatter was still on the Crimson Tide. Speaking with Paul Finebaum, USA Today Sports reporter George Schroeder mentioned an interesting stat.

"Alabama has won 17 straight SEC games by an average score of 21 points."

The main point made by Schroeder was that Alabama’s dominance is not good for the rest of the SEC.

Next: Five Greatest Threats to a 2017 Championship

Next up on Tuesday will be Georgia, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State and Florida. Check in with us for daily reviews and insights. It will be a fun week.