Wow what a trip to Birmingham for the 2009 sec media days. In the six years we have done the show nothing can quite compare to this event. You ever just go somewhere and it just "feels" different? Thats what you get when you walk into the lobby in the Wynfrey Hotel. From the fans gathered on the first floor, to radio row, and of course the press conferences up stairs you knew it was big. What is it about this game that we are so passionate about? In the south we dont just like football...We LOVE IT!!! We plan our vacation days around the weekends of Sept to Dec. We will sacarafice doing the honey dues for 9 months of the year for 3 months of manna we call the pigskin. The scary thing is its only getting bigger.

Quick Observations from Media Days for each school:

West:

LSU: Great to have a one on one with Les. He remembered the show from the infamous day Rueben Randles dad calls in . Something tells me as long as the LSU faithful wants him he is going to stay, you can tell he has a genuine love for the school and the state, you cant say that about alot of coaches. Also Jacob Cuttrera looks alot like James Laurinitis, hopefully he will play like him. Not alot of love for the Tigers from the rest of media. Everyone is talking about Ole Miss and Bama.

Alabama: Jesus aka Nick Saban has entered the building. Nothing compares to when St. Nick enters the lobby for media days. Easily over 100 people downstairs on a thursday just to catch a glimpse of Saban...Do these people work? unfortunately alot of these folks fit the bama stereotype but also some nice folks. I give them credit they LOVE the tide..Maybe a little to much. For a state with 2 sec schools its clear by being here that Auburn is a distant second among the folks in this state. Rolando McClain is a monter! The media picks The tide to win the west.

Auburn: Gene Chizik is boring and maybe 2o Auburn fans showed up for the day the plainsmen, tigers, wareagles take the stage. The media doesnt think very highly of Auburn picking them 5th in the West. I think thats fair but I also see them squeaking out 6 wins and a bowl. Expect a big year from TB Ben Tate, it may be a "spread" but it will be run first. Very impressive staff for Gene.

Arkansas: Spoiler alert....Nobody wants to play the hogs. The Hogs were picked 4th in the west but they were easily the team labeled " Wildcard". Ryan Mallet will break a few fingers this year with his fastball and they have some nice players at the skill positions. Loads of questions on D but they do have experience. They seem to have LSU's number...Will that end this season?

Ole Miss: Colonel Reb is smiling. I was shocked when the media poll came out and the rebs were picked second behind bama. Everyone I talked to was talking about how impressed they were with Ole Miss. Houston Nutt is a better coach than the hog fans give him credit for but he does tend to struggle when expectaions are high. Safety Kendrick Lewis said the thing that shocked him most about the cotton bowl was how SLOW Texas Tech was. This was a team that was in the top 5 most of the season. Just shows you how scary the SEC is.

Miss State: 1 strike against Dan Mullen. He tweeted as he started his presser. Dont know what to think about the guy. Brings alot of nervouse energy but that can be good or bad. His offense is proven but can he can some horses to starkville. Wouldnt be surprised if they start a true freshman 2 or 3 weeks win. Be patient dog fans, may be 2 or 3 years before you see results.