Sports

In Tebow they believe

• The SEC media believe Florida and defending Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tabow will overtake Georgia in the East, picking the Gators No. 1.

Paul Dehner Jr.

HOOVER, Ala. — The media have spoken — and they believe in Tim Tebow.

The preseason Southeastern Conference rankings were announced on Friday with Florida finishing above Georgia for first place in the Eastern Division.

The Gators grabbed 48 first-place votes to 33 for the Bulldogs.

Auburn was voted the preseason favorite in the West Division, ahead of defending national champion LSU.

Individually, the Bulldogs placed two players on the first team: Knowshon Moreno at quarterback and Dannell Ellerbe at defensive end.

Mohamed Massaquoi and Matt Stafford were elected to the second team on offense, while cornerback Asher Allen made the second defensive team.

PETRINO REFLECTS

The well-documented midseason departure of former Falcons coach Bobby Petrino of the University of Arkansas became a hot topic Friday. Petrino lasted only 13 weeks with Atlanta before leaving the day after losing on Monday Night Football and posted a letter in the lockers of his players explaining the move. At his first SEC Media Days, Petrino acknowledges the pitfalls of his time with the Falcons.

"It was a difficult season," he said. "You always look back and really try to reflect on what I could have done better. Certainly, we'll try to do a better job in our communication with our players, really understanding what it takes week in and week out to be consistent."

All the negative publicity that surrounded Petrino's controversial exit from the NFL provided for an obstacle on the recruiting trail.

"It always came up in the home," he said of his visits with potential players. "But I think when you sat down and visited with parents and probably told parents more than I've told any of you guys, that the recruiting went well and it became a non-issue."

QUOTENT QUOTABLES

The old ball coach from South Carolina, Steve Spurrier, didn’t disappoint with another entertaining act this year, his 15th at Media Days.

When asked about his attempt to compete in recruiting with other premier SEC schools, he provided a provocative analogy.

“It’s sort of like going after girls,” he said. “You got to get the best you can, right?”

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