Crimson Notes 7/26/10

Even though the topic of sports agents seemed to take center stage at SEC Media Days, the media did make some football prognostications last week at the Wynfrey.

The defending national champions have been named the favorite to win the Southeastern Conference title for the second consecutive season.

In the eyes of the media Alabama and Florida are untouchable, and will meet once again in Atlanta…with Alabama taking the crown.

Here are the predicted standings for the 2010 SEC season:

Eastern Division
(First-place votes in parenthesis)

1. Florida (153) 1030
2. Georgia (15) 791
3. South Carolina (8) 790
4. Kentucky 462
5. Tennessee 450
6. Vanderbilt (1) 194

Western Division
(First-place votes in parenthesis)

1. Alabama (157) 1034
2. Arkansas (6) 726
3. Auburn (10) 691
4. LSU (1) 653
5. Mississippi State 320
6. Ole Miss (3) 293

Predicted Conference Champion
(First-place votes in parenthesis)

SEC Champion - Alabama (143), Florida (17), Auburn (7), Arkansas (3), Ole Miss (2), Georgia (2), LSU (1), South Carolina (1), Kentucky (1).

In other news, junior college signee DeQuan Menzie could potentially play this fall for the Crimson Tide.

Menzie, a defensive back from Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Mississippi, signed with Alabama in February, but suffered a torn Achilles in early April and was expected to miss the entire 2010 season.

However, ‘Bama quarterback Greg McElroy delivered some unexpected news at SEC Media Days concerning Menzie and his health.

McElroy said Menzie has been at “full-speed” during 7-on-7 workouts during the offseason.

Alabama linebacker Dont’a Hightower reiterated McElroy’s comment(s) saying Menzie has looked good this summer.

The unexpected return of Menzie, who was originally thought to miss six months, is huge for the Alabama defense.

The Tide secondary has suffered the biggest hit this offseason due to graduation and NFL departures. Menzie, a cornerback, was signed by ‘Bama in order to help build a new Tide secondary for 2010.

Other than safety Mark Barron, the entire 'Bama secondary will be fresh and new for the 2010 campaign.

The possible return of DeQuan Menzie is certainly an unexpected victory for Alabama on the defensive side of the ball.

Finally, the University of Alabama has announced the season opener with San Jose State (Sept. 4) will be on pay-per-view with a scheduled kick time at 6 p.m. CT from Bryant-Denny Stadium.

In similar news, the Georgia State contest on Thursday, Nov. 18, will be televised by ESPNU with kickoff expected at 6:30 p.m. CT.