SEC media predict the league’s 2016 results, Bulldogs picked to finish third

Jul 12, 2016; Hoover, AL, USA; Georgia head coach Kirby Smart speaks to the media during SEC media day at Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2016; Hoover, AL, USA; Georgia head coach Kirby Smart speaks to the media during SEC media day at Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Georgia fans probably will not be happy about this.

Related Story: Leonard Fournette says Nick Chubb is the best tailback in the SEC

Despite a ton of hype surrounding the Georgia football program these days with the likes of Kirby Smart and Jacob Eason now in Athens, members of the media are not as sold on the Bulldogs’ chances as many fans. During this week’s SEC Media Days, reporters were asked to predict the results of the upcoming season as it pertains to the SEC.

Georgia was picked to finish third in the SEC East. The Bulldogs did receive 55 first-place votes, though.

According to 247 Sports, different point values were awarded to each team based on the type of votes they received. First-place votes were worth seven points, second-place votes were worth six points and so on.

The Bulldogs received 1,860 total points. Tennessee, which was picked to win the East, garnered 2,167 points, and the Florida Gators finished second with 1,891 points. Kentucky was picked to finish fourth, while Vanderbilt, Missouri and South Carolina were picked to finish fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively.

More from Georgia Bulldogs News

It wasn’t a big shock that Tennessee was picked to represent the East in the SEC Championship game. The Volunteers should return a strong offense, led by quarterback Joshua Dobbs and tailback Jalen Hurd, and their defense figures to be stout.

What may come as a surprise to some is the fact that Florida was picked to finish second. Though the Gators had a pretty strong recruiting class and Jim McElwain now has a full year under his belt, Florida still has a lot of question marks. And the Gators arguably have more uncertainty surrounding them than the Bulldogs.

The SEC West predictions weren’t too surprising. Alabama was picked to win the West – and the entire SEC – with LSU picked to finish second in the division. They were followed by Ole Miss, Arkansas, Auburn and Mississippi State.

These are just predictions, though. Tennessee and Alabama are heavy favorites, but Georgia was favored to win the East last year. The Bulldogs proved how one significant injury – and a bunch of other mostly unforeseen problems – can completely derail a team’s hopes.

So look out, Tennessee. You might be the favorite today, but the Bulldogs just may be coming.