HOOVER, Ala. – Tennessee was picked to finish fifth in the Southeastern Conference East Division race this morning in the annual vote taken at media days.
The Vols have not been picked so low in the East since the SEC went to divisional play in 1992.
“I think that’s kind of the way we like it right now,” senior defensive end Chris Walker said. “People aren’t looking for us to do too much, and that’s kind of how we’re working. We’re working to surprise people and to let them know that Tennessee is coming back. We have a great coaching staff to put us in that position.”
Florida was picked to win the East, followed by Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky, UT and Vanderbilt. The Bulldogs took the second spot by a point.
Alabama was the overwhelming choice in the West, ahead of Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Mississippi State and Ole Miss. The Crimson Tide also were picked to win a second consecutive league title.