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Alabama favored in SEC
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- Alabama is the overwhelming favorite to repeat as Southeastern Conference champion, according to sports writers and broadcasters at SEC Media Days. The Crimson Tide captured 61 of the 84 votes Thursday in balloting to predict an overall champion in the two-division conference. Alabama was followed by Georgia (11), Florida (10) and Mississippi (2). Florida lost to the Alabama in last year's SEC championship game. The SEC also conducted balloting for the order of finish in each division. Georgia received the most first-place votes (45) in the East but Florida, with 43 firsts, totaled 139 points to edge the Bulldogs at 144. The lower number reflected the higher ranking. Another East power, Tennessee, was a distant third in the balloting with 252 points, including the only other first-place vote. Kentucky was next in the East, followed by Vanderbilt and South Carolina. It wasn't close in the West. Alabama tallied 85 first-place votes, compared to three for Mississippi and one for Arkansas. The Rebels were picked to finish second in the West, followed by Mississippi State, Auburn, Arkansas and LSU. Five voters didn't select an overall champion. The Tide and Tennessee topped the preseason all-conference team with five players apiece. Alabama receiver Freddie Milons and Vanderbilt linebacker Jamie Winborn were the top vote-getters, named on all but two of the 89 ballots. Georgia quarterback Quincy Carter was picked by 86 voters.
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