Bama, UF picked to meet in SEC Championship game

<p>HOOVER, Ala. — The media that covers the SEC still likes the Florida Gators, but not quite as much as a year ago.</p><p> In a vote of 177 media members covering SEC Media Days this week, the Gators were picked to win the Eastern Division, but lose to defending national champion Alabama in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.</p><p> Like UF a year ago, the Tide was an overwhelming choice to win the conference title, grabbing 143 first-place votes to the Gators' 17. Auburn, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Georgia,LSU, South Carolina and Kentucky also received first-place votes.</p><p> Alabama edged out UF in total number of players selected to the media's preseason All-SEC team, placing 12 on the team to UF's 10.</p><p> The Gators placed three players on the first team — center Michael Pouncey, outside linebacker Brandon Hicks and strong safety Ahmad Black.</p><p> UF's second-team players are offensive guard Carl Johnson, offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert, defensive end Justin Trattou, cornerback Janoris Jenkins, safety Will Hill, kick returner Chris Rainey and punter Chas Henry.</p><p> The Gators were an overwhelming pick to win the Eastern Division, collecting 153 first-place votes to runner-up Georgia's 15. South Carolina was picked third, Kentucky fourth, Tennessee fifth and Vanderbilt sixth.</p><p> In the West, the Tide received 157 first-place votes, while runner-up Arkansas received six. Auburn was picked third, LSU fourth, Mississippi State fifth and Ole Miss sixth.</p><p>Preseason All-SEC teams chosen by reporters covering league media days with votes in parentheses (out of 177 voters):</p><p></p><p><b>FIRST-TEAM:</b></p><p><b>Offense:</b></p><p>QB—Ryan Mallett (118), Arkansas</p><p>RB—Mark Ingram (165), Alabama</p><p>RB—Trent Richardson (69), Alabama</p><p>WR—A.J. Green (142), Georgia</p><p>WR—Julio Jones (123), Alabama</p><p>TE—D.J. Williams (105), Arkansas</p><p>OL—Lee Ziemba (114), Auburn</p><p>OL—Barrett Jones (103), Alabama</p><p>OL—Clint Boling (85), Georgia</p><p>OL—James Carpenter (77), Alabama</p><p>C—Mike Pouncey (109), Florida</p><p><b>Defense:</b></p><p>DL—Marcell Dareus (126), Alabama</p><p>DL—Jerrell Powe (77), Mississippi</p><p>DL—Cliff Matthews (46), South Carolina</p><p>LB—Donta Hightower (158), Alabama</p><p>LB—Kelvin Sheppard (84), LSU</p><p>LB—Josh Bynes (72), Auburn</p><p>LB—Brandon Hicks (65), Florida</p><p>DB—Mark Barron (127), Alabama</p><p>DB—Patrick Peterson (116), LSU</p><p>DB—Ahmad Black (67), Florida</p><p>DB—Stephon Gilmore (61), South Carolina</p><p><b>Special Teams:</b></p><p>PK—Blair Walsh (72), Georgia</p><p>P—Drew Butler (104), Georgia</p><p>RS—Derrick Locke (45), Kentucky</p><p>AP—Randall Cobb (123), Kentucky</p><p> </p><p><b>SECOND-TEAM:</b></p><p><b>Offense:</b></p><p>QB—Greg McElroy (44), Alabama</p><p>RB—Derrick Locke (40), Kentucky</p><p>RB—Mario Fannin (22), Auburn</p><p>WR—Darvin Adams (19), Auburn</p><p>WR—Randall Cobb (14), Kentucky</p><p>TE—Luke Stocker (26), Tennessee</p><p>OL—Carl Johnson (53), Florida</p><p>OL—Marcus Gilbert (48), Florida</p><p>OL—Derek Sherrod (47), Miss. St.</p><p>OL—DeMarcus Love (27), Arkansas</p><p>C—William Vlachos (27), Alabama</p><p><b>Defense:</b></p><p>DL—Pernell McPhee (34), Miss. St.</p><p>DL—Justin Trattou (31), Florida</p><p>DL—Kentrell Lockett (29), Mississippi</p><p>LB—Chris Marve (62), Vanderbilt</p><p>LB—Nick Reveiz (32), Tennessee</p><p>LB—Courtney Upshaw (31), Alabama</p><p>LB—Justin Houston (30), Georgia</p><p>DB—Janoris Jenkins (56), Florida</p><p>DB—Will Hill (41), Florida</p><p>DB—Brandon Boykin (39), Georgia</p><p>DB—Zac Etheridge (33), Auburn</p><p><b>Special Teams:</b></p><p>PK—Wes Byrum (65), Auburn</p><p>P—Chas Henry (34), Florida</p><p>RS—Julio Jones (42), Alabama</p><p>RS—Warren Norman (42), Vanderbilt</p><p>AP—Chris Rainey (35), Florida</p>