SEC media selected LSU to win the Western Division and Florida to repeat in the Eastern Division. LSU was predicted to win the league.

South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier said he has the best talent in his three years in Columbia. He is pleased with his highest rated recruiting class ever including five receivers (three from the state of Florida). Spurrier said he is concerned about replacing his starting center and two guards. Defensively, Spurrier said even though 10 starters return on defense, some of the younger players could replace them. He mentioned Blake Mitchell being a fifth year quarterback, who is in his third year as a starter. On the offensive line, Spurrier said Kevin Young needs to play hard and Lemuel JeanPierre could work his way into a starting position. He alluded to the fact that South Carolina will open the season next year against N C State on ESPN. When asked about retiring, Spurrier said he wanted to coach at least five- to- seven more years.

Arkansas Coach Houston Nutt said his brother Danny Nutt, formerly on the staff, is doing better with his health condition. Despite losing players such as defensive end Jamaal Anderson, cornerback Chris Houston, right tackle Keith Jackson and linebacker Sam Olajubutu, Nutt is pleased to have players such safeties Matt Hewitt and Michael Grant returning. Nutt said he dealt with the most difficult offseason he has ever encountered even after winning 10 games last year. He said the postseason travails caused his team to become closer together. Nutt is also very pleased about having 14 commitments this early in the recruiting season.

Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville said quarterback Brandon Cox, who is 19-5 as a starter, needs to stay healthy this season. He said Cox puts the best spin on the ball that he has ever seen. He believes Cox will one day play in the NFL. Redshirt freshman Neil Caudle is ahead of the pack as the backup quarterback. Offensively, Tuberville said the Tigers have a young line that will be a team strength by season’s end. He is glad the tight ends and a stable of solid backs return, but a big play receiver is needed. The defense will be built around end Quentin Groves, who has earned his Master’s degree. Tuberville said Auburn is starting over with the kicking game. He mentioned a brutal road schedule featuring Florida, Arkansas, Georgia and LSU and a tough non-conference schedule featuring Kansas State and South Florida. When asked about Nick Saban coming to Alabama, Tuberville said he was glad to be under the radar since the Tide was getting all the attention. He complimented offensive line coach Hugh Nall for a good job. Tuberville said linebacker Tray Blackmon, who reminds him of former Miami player Ray Lewis, is one of his most productive players.

Five Tiger signees—cornerback Ryan Williams, lineman Nick Fairley, linebacker Eltoro Freeman, receiver Chris Slaughter, and running back Enrique Davis-- are awaiting approval from the NCAA Clearinghouse. Tuberville said safety Michael McNeil and linebackers Josh Bynes and Bo Harris could have immediate impact. Linebacker Patrick Trahan has left the team to attend a junior college.

Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks said 97% of his weapons return on offense. He praised the return of running backs Tony Dixon and Alfonso Smith. Defensively, Brooks said 19- of- 22 players on the two deep depth chart were freshman and sophomores last year.

Alabama Coach Nick Saban waxed philosophic during his visit to SEC Media Days. Although Saban said little about his move from Miami to Tuscaloosa, he did mention that he didn’t consider the Alabama job until the season ended at Miami. Saban also said he would like to at least play one tough out- of- conference opponent each season. When asked about the recent arrests of three players, Saban said the incidents will be handled internally meaning if the players accept their discipline then they will not be suspended. He joked that he did take a pay cut to come to Alabama.

The Birmingham News in an article on sports agent Jimmy Sexton quoted Sexton as saying if Alabama had not hired Saban then their next target was Louisville coach Bobby Petrino. Sexton said what Alabama officials didn’t know was Petrino was already talking to the Falcons. Sexton even wonders out loud what Alabama officials would have done if they had been turned down by both.

Tide signee Michael Ricks, who is a graduate of Northeast Mississippi Community College, said he has qualified. Kerry Murphy, a defensive lineman at Hoover (Ala.) High, is the only signee yet to qualify. Murphy will attend Hargrave Military Academy. Tide fullback signee Jeramie Griffin has been approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse. Some of the players have said sophomore receiver Mike McCoy has been the most pleasant surprise during 7- on- 7 drills. Tyler Love (6-8, 285), a five-star offensive tackle from Mountain Brook, Ala., has chosen the Tide over Florida and Georgia. Discussions continue this week with the Atlanta Sports Council to bring the 2010 Duke-Alabama game to the Georgia Dome. Presently, the game is scheduled to be played at Duke.

The Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game has been moved from June to Dec. 17 at Ladd-Peebles.

Florida Coach Urban Meyer said he is excited about the offensive line and the receiver corps. Meyer lauded Kestahn Moore, who could be the primary back this season. He said two seasons ago his team was not every tough. The Gators have only 10 seniors and 10 juniors. Meyers refused to discuss the impact of former player Avery Atkins death. Defensively, Meyer said his defense is untested up the middle after losing Steven Harris and Joe Cohen at tackle, Brandon Siler at middle linebacker and Reggie Nelson at safety. Some of the position battles up for grabs are right guard and receiver. He is confident that the Gators have four capable quarterbacks. Meyer noted that championship teams love to practice. He said his first team was a poor practice team, but last year’s team loved to practice.

Gator receiver Andre Caldwell is 44 catches shy of Carlos Alvarez’s 38- year- old school record. Meyer believes like many SEC coaches that moving the kickoff back five yards will make a huge impact on the game. Offensive line signee James Wilson had a recent minor operation to repair loose cartilage in his left knee. Caleb Sturgis, a kicker from St. Augustine, Fla., committed to the Gators. He is rated the No. 10 kicker according to Rivals.com.

Vanderbilt Coach Bobby Johnson faced questions pertaining to the possibility of the Commodores going to a bowl for the first time since 1982 with Chris Nickson at quarterback and Earl Bennett at receiver. Johnson is excited about 18 starters returning and eight home games. He also said there is finally depth on the offensive line. Johnson said he is glad to have running back Jeff Jennings and offensive lineman Brian Stamper back.

Mississippi State Coach Sly Croom said he feels no pressure that he is going to be fired because he has support from the State administration. Croom said he is not concerned that his team starts the season against LSU because his NFL background does not single out particular games.

Ole Miss Coach Ed Orgeron admitted that he made a mistake by naming Brent Schaeffer the starting quarterback last February. He said he did it for recruiting purposes. Orgeron was complimentary of new defensive coordinator John Thompson.

LSU coach Les Miles said he regretted his choice of words when he used an expletive to discuss Alabama at a recruiting rally months ago. He was complimentary of Alabama and Saban during his comments. Miles said the coaches will bring senior offensive lineman Will Arnold along slowly during fall drills. He said some of the young receivers such as freshman Terrance Toliver could be able to contribute this season. He downplayed any problems that he had with former offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher. Miles said the status of quarterback Ryan Perrilloux will be decided next week.

Tiger running back Alley Broussard’s career at LSU is over after he announced that he is giving up football to concentrate on academics in the fall. The Tigers are still awaiting word on the certification of junior college receiver Demetrius Byrd who is trying to graduate from Pearl River (Miss.) Junior College and receiver signee DeAngelo Benton. Cordian Hagans (6-5, 285), a defensive end from Northview High in Georgia, chose the Tiger over Auburn and South Carolina.

Tennessee Coach Phil Fulmer said quarterback Erik Ainge is a “Candace Parker (Lady Vols basketball star)” type player for him. He has challenged his team to run and stop the run better. Several upperclassmen scripted and helped conduct three straight days of season-like practices last week in order to prepare the incoming freshman for the rigors of fall drills. Cornerback Inky Johnson will serve as a student coach this season while he continues to recover from nerve damage in his right arm. Fulmer said this is the first time that running back Montario Hardesty is healthy since he was a freshman. He added that he is looking for several receivers to step up. The Vols have not won a SEC title in nearly a decade.

Georgia Coach Mark Richt said he was honestly surprised to still be coaching after seven years. He said he would be in favor of the Georgia-Florida game being rotated. Richt hailed quarterback Matthew Stafford as a team leader after maturing since his freshman season. Defensively, he said the play of linebacker Brandon Miller was the key to the entire unit.

Georgia has most of its injured players back including running back Thomas Brown (ACL), strong safety Antavious Coates (ACL), linebacker Akeem Dent (broken foot), cornerback Bryan Evans (broken wrist), cornerback and punt returner Thomas Flowers (torn foot ligaments).

CBS Sports has announced that games on Sept. 29, Nov. 3 and Nov. 24, originally scheduled for 3:30 kickoffs, will start at 5 pm. The first game of a doubleheader on Nov. 24 will change from a noon pm to a 1:30 pm start.

Virginia Tech and Florida State were picked by ACC writers to meet in the title game on Dec. 1. FSU edged out Boston College in the Atlantic Division. Tech got 77 of 83 first place votes to win the Coastal Division.

Since the ACC expanded the numbers are not pretty. According to CBSportsline.com, BCS league teams are 16-6 against the ACC. The SEC is 7-1 against the ACC. The league is also 1-8 in BCS bowl games. Against top ten teams, the ACC is 3-31 since 2000. The ACC was 4-4 in bowl games last year, but no team finished higher in the rankings than No. 18 Wake Forest. Virginia Tech, in 2004-05, is the only team to finish in the top 10 during the post-expansion era.

The ACC’s numbers on offense are not attractive either. Five ACC schools finished in the top 18 in total defense: No. 1 Virginia Tech, No. 7 Miami, No. 13 Clemson, and No. 18 FSU, but Clemson was the only team to be in the top 49. Five teams, including Miami, couldn’t average 20 points per game last year. Seven ACC schools made offensive coordinator changes this season. Several teams changed quarterbacks constantly. FSU, Miami, North Carolina and N C State all had two quarterbacks start at least two games, while Virginia used three different signal callers. The league didn’t have a single quarterback to rank in the top 32 in passing efficiency.

ACC championship game site possibilities are again up for bids. Jacksonville, the present host, Tampa, Orlando and Charlotte have been sent bid applications and have until Aug. 31 to submit a proposal. Orlando will likely not be a finalist because its stadium needs renovating. A final vote will take place in mid-December. Commissioner John Swofford said the short-term goal is not to commit to a site beyond 2010 when the league’s television contract will be renewed.

Wake Forest Coach Jim Grobe said at ACC Media Days that the Demon Deacons will be very good if running back Micah Andrews comes back at full speed.

Florida State has some changes to the depth chart including starting center John Frady being listed as third string behind Ryan McMahon and Brandon Davis. Linebacker Dekoda Watson is listed as a starter ahead of Marcus Ball, who missed every game after his injury in the Rice game. Seddrick Holloway is the starting fullback with walk-on Antonio White listed as the back up. Matt Dunham and Joe Surratt, the only two fullbacks to carry the ball last year, are listed as third string. The Atlanta Sports Council is working with FSU to play a non-conference game in the Georgia Dome during the 2008 season.

Miami has a commitment from Aldarius Johnson (6-3, 195), a receiver from Miami (Fla.) Northwestern. Johnson is still working to qualify. Marcus Fortson (6-2, 300), the Rivals.com No. 2 rated defensive lineman also from Miami Northwestern committed this week to the Canes. Coach Randy Shannon said at ACC Media Days that linebacker Romeo Davis will likely miss the entire 2007 season because he reinjured his knee. Shannon said players will not have their names on jerseys and they will be benched for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. He also said all the recruits except one-believed to be running back Shawnbrey McNeal of Dallas- have been approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse. Receiver Darnell Jenkins, who missed spring due to personal reasons, will be at fall camp.

Clemson has a verbal commitment from Jarrett Crittenton (6-6, 275), a defensive end who is from North Dakota State College of Science. Kansas State, Arkansas, Texas

A & M, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Auburn and Oklahoma are also recruiting Crittenton.

N C State tight end Anthony Hill, the leading receiver last season, had surgery this week to repair his ACL is out for the year. Former quarterback Marcus Stone might replace him.

The Big Ten is considering adding a 12th member to help its new network. With a dozen members, the league could split into two divisions and add a title game.

Pac-10 Commissioner Tom Hansen said his league would walk away from the BSC if the plus-one model is implemented. The Rose Bowl has signed with ABC through 2014.

Former Auburn Coach Terry Bowden wants to make a come back into the profession. He will be a volunteer coach this season with FSU. Bowden was 47-16-1 at Auburn.

BRENT BEAIRD IS A SPORTS WRITER FOR MYCLAYSUN IN ORANGE PARK, FLA. HE ALSO WRITES FOR RIVALS.COM, SAMSPORTSLINE.COM AND GATOR BAIT MAGAZINE. HE CAN BE HEARD ON SPORTS RADIO 1010 XL.