SEC Football Media Predictions: Too High, Too Low or Just Right?

As SEC Media Days came to an end, it was time for everybody to make their predictions for the upcoming season. Yes, that does mean the college football season is closer than ever to kicking off.

The predictions are in, and a total of 222 media members, the most in the history of SEC Media Days, have locked in their votes (to see the complete list, you can click here). Some of these predictions may surprise you, while some are basically what everybody expected.

While each and every team will have to settle things on the football field, here is how the media voted on SEC teams and whether teams are being underrated or overrated.

Georgia

Prediction by media: First in SEC East

Georgia returns nine starters on the defensive side of the ball and seven starters on offense. The defense is loaded with talent, while the offense has arguably the best quarterback in the conference with Aaron Murray.

The Bulldogs also don't have Arkansas, LSU or Alabama on this year's schedule.

Everything is pretty much lined up for this team to return to the SEC championship game.

Verdict: Just right

South Carolina

Prediction by media: Second in SEC East and fourth in SEC

It will truly be a battle between South Carolina and Georgia this season for the SEC East crown. South Carolina has playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, quarterback Connor Shaw should be better with a full year under his belt and it will get Marcus Lattimore back.

However, the Gamecocks' schedule is much more difficult than that of the Bulldogs.

Verdict: Just right

LSU

Prediction by media: First in SEC West and first in SEC

How do you not like LSU to win this conference?

The Tigers, of course, will be stacked on the defensive side of the ball. They also return four quality running backs, have one of the best offensive lines in the country and may finally have a real quarterback.

If Zach Mettenberger can just be decent this year, this team will be extremely hard to beat once again in 2012.

Verdict: Just right

Alabama

Prediction by media: Second in SEC West and second in SEC

Much like LSU, Alabama has one of the better offensive lines in the country, and quarterback A.J. McCarron should get the handcuffs taken off in 2012. The problem is that this team has to travel to Arkansas and LSU and play a couple of sneaky teams on the road as well (Missouri and Tennessee).

You really can't go wrong picking either LSU or Alabama, but as of right now, the Tigers look like the more complete team. 

Verdict: Just right

Arkansas

Prediction by media: Third in SEC West and fifth in SEC

Arkansas has a favorable schedule and has a ton of offensive talent. The problem is the defense is not exactly up to par. The Razorbacks return six starters from a defense that finished eighth in the conference a year ago.

Will things change for this team to be a bit more balanced? Only time will tell, but you can't blame the voters for going with the better overall teams at the end of July.

Verdict: Just right

Auburn

Prediction by media: Fourth in SEC West and sixth in SEC

Auburn returns a total of 16 starters from last year, but you just don't know what you are going to get with this team. The quarterback position is still a question mark, there is a new coaching staff coming in and the defense was absolutely atrocious a year ago.

I have confidence in head coach Gene Chizik but think the Tigers are still a year or two from contending once again.

Verdict: Just right

Ole Miss

Prediction by media: Seventh in SEC West

Is there really anybody that has Ole Miss doing anything this season? One voter actually picked this team to finish first in the conference, but he must have a bit of a hangover from the previous two media days.

The Rebels have only made two bowl games since 2003 and simply don't have enough on either side of the ball to compete in this conference.

Verdict: Just right

Florida

Prediction by media: Third in SEC East and tied for seventh in SEC

I like how the Gators return 10 starters on the defensive side of the ball, but this team was great on that side last year and didn't do much. The question marks with this team still remain, and that is at quarterback and the skill positions.

Can the Gators do enough on offense to actually compete this season? I'll believe it when I see it.

Verdict: Too high

Tennessee

Prediction by media: Fifth in SEC East

You can call me crazy if you'd like, but I really like this Tennessee team. The wide receiver corps is one of the best in the country, quarterback Tyler Bray should really take a huge step forward in his production and the defense returns eight starters. The Volunteers also get Florida, Alabama and Missouri at home.

I'm not saying Tennessee will compete for an SEC title this season, but it will be much better than people expect in 2012.

Verdict: Too low

Texas A&M

Prediction by media: Fifth in SEC West

Texas A&M is a big and physical team that shouldn't take long to make a name for itself. The Aggies return 14 starters from a year ago, including eight on the offensive side of the ball. They also have a favorable schedule, with Florida, Arkansas and LSU all traveling to Kyle Field.

So why are the Aggies predicted to finish so low? Simple: They unfortunately play in the SEC West.

Verdict: Just right

Mississippi State

Prediction by media: Sixth in SEC West

Mississippi State returns seven starters on defense, and quarterback Tyler Russell can quickly become a star in this conference. The running back depth is also solid with LaDarius Perkins leading the way.

With all that said, the Bulldogs have a brutal four-game stretch of Alabama, Texas A&M, LSU and Arkansas near the end of the season.

Verdict: Just right

Kentucky

Prediction by media: Seventh in SEC East

Head coach Joker Phillips is trying his best to remain optimistic about his team, but the Wildcats aren't going anywhere in 2012.

They only return 11 starters from a team that only won two games within the conference last season. There aren't enough playmakers on the offensive end, and the offensive line lost three starters from a year ago.

Verdict: Just right

Vanderbilt

Prediction by media: Sixth in SEC East

Vanderbilt won six games last season and lost five games by seven points or less. Head coach James Franklin is doing a fabulous job with this team, and the Commodores return 16 starters from a year ago. Vanderbilt will also have home games against South Carolina, Florida, Auburn and Tennessee this year.

I like the direction this program is going and think Vandy continues to build on last year's success.

Verdict: Too low

Missouri

Prediction by media: Fourth in SEC East

I like the playmakers on offense for Missouri and believe that quarterback James Franklin can really develop into something special. But I do not like the lack of size on the defensive and offensive lines for the Tigers and am concerned with the depth at the running back position.

I would not be surprised if this team does get hot, but the schedule isn't an easy one, and there are questions that need answers.

Verdict: Too high