SEC Media Day Things to Watch

(Image via John Bazemore/AP Photo)

By: Lucas Kochevar

The SEC is holding its media days next week and there will be a lot to look out for quote wise and more as everyone comes together in Atlanta. Since it’s the SEC, there will be a lot of eyes on the big time coaches in the conference like Kirby Smart, Steve Sarkisian and more. There are also a couple of quick headlines that people should be on the lookout for. 

One of the most SEC-type beefs happening right now involves Lane Kiffin, Hugh Freeze and golf. In the most Lane Kiffin way possible, he addressed Freeze and his lack of recruiting success and excessive golf habits on social media. Kiffin loves to stir the pot and it’s even funnier given that he’s at Freeze’s old school. Freeze has struggled to keep recruits and blamed NIL and other coaches for his problems. This little story a week before media days could provide for some fun subtle jabs at one another to the media. 

Any comments on the college football playoff will get picked up by major outlets, but two schools' statements on it could be the most interesting. Alabama and South Carolina were both left out of the playoff in favor of SMU. Alabama is always a school to watch since they’re a blue blood, but South Carolina is newer on the scene and has lofty expectations this season. It’ll be intriguing to see if they have anything to say about last year's selection committee, this year's selection process or any other future changes to the playoff system. 

This point plays on a recent LK Sports post about all the quarterbacks in the SEC, but media day is where starters set the tone for how they’re perceived by everyone, mainly the media and fans. Namely, Gunner Stockton is making his first appearance as Georgia’s starter. With an invite to media day, Stockton is all but named the starting quarterback at UGA this season. With an entire offseason under his belt, Stockton will have a lot of eyes on him and media day is the best spot to find that voice as the guy for the Bulldogs.