SEC MEDIA DAYS

The preseason magazines arrived in bookstores months ago, and Internet message boards have started buzzing with excitement lately.

But perhaps nothing announces that the college football season is about to start more than the three-day media circus that is the Southeastern Conference Media Days in Hoover, Ala.

Hundreds of reporters — and dozens of crazed Alabama fans — will crowd into the Wynfrey Hotel this week to hear what SEC coaches and players have to say.

Some things are a given, like Crimson Tide fans booing Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer when they see him. But not everything is predictable, especially when South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier gets in front of a microphone.

So to help, The Morning News has put together a list of five things that fans can expect from the SEC Media Days.

1: Little Star Power In Hoover

Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow will be in attendance, but that’s about it when it comes to big-time star power at the SEC Media Days.

Percy Harvin, Florida’s multi-talented wide receiver, won’t be there. Neither will Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford or his star running back Knowshon Moreno.

Instead, the list of players who will be talking to reporters include Florida offensive tackle Phil Trautwein, Georgia wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi and Ole Miss defensive tackle Peria Jerry.

Not exactly a lot of name recognition there.

2: Petrino On The Grill

There is a chance Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino will be asked on Friday about the progress of quarterback Casey Dick and the challenge of finding a replacement for two-time Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden.

But that’s not what most reporters will likely want to hear about when Petrino makes his first trip to the SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala.

As uncomfortable as the topic might be, Petrino can expect to face question after question about his tumultuous season with the Atlanta Falcons and his highly publicized decision to leave for Arkansas.

3: Nutt Faces Arkansas Media

He may be no stranger to SEC Media Days after 10 years in the league. But Houston Nutt will make his debut in Hoover in another capacity — as Ole Miss head coach.

Not that we needed to remind you.

The former Razorbacks coach will face the throng of Arkansas media for the first time since his departure last December. The conversation will be watched very carefully by Razorbacks faithful wondering what, if anything, he might say about the rocky end to his 10 years in Fayetteville.

4: A Tumultuous Offseason

Once again, an SEC offseason has been anything but quiet.

Arrests and other off-the-field troubles for football players have been newsworthy items the past several months, so don’t be surprised if coaches spend plenty of time discussing and defending their disciplinary policies.

Georgia seems to have been hit hardest. Seven Bulldogs have been arrested in the past seven months. But there have been other notable incidents like Alabama linebacker Jimmy Johns’ arrest for felony distribution and possession of cocaine and Florida safety Jamar Hornsby’s dismissal after an arrest for felony credit card theft.

Arkansas has had its share of trouble, too. Linebackers Freddie Fairchild, Freddy Burton and Wendel Davis have been arrested since January. Fairchild was kicked off the team.

5: ‘Bama’s New Public Enemy No. 1

Alabama fans typically pack the Wynfrey Hotel to get a glimpse of the Crimson Tide contingent.

This year, they may fill the place hoping to shout a few obscenities at LSU coach Les Miles.

Miles took a subtle slap at Alabama coach Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide — which lost to LSU and Louisiana-Monroe last season — during a speaking engagement on Sunday night. The New Orleans Times-Picayune said Miles told a crowd of LSU supporters to “not to make too much of that game as it seems like a lot of teams in Louisiana beat that team.”

Zing!

ALEX ABRAMS/ROBBIE NEISWANGER