Sports

Actions

Media picks Alabama to beat Georgia again in SEC title game; Mizzou third in SEC East

Posted at 1:56 PM, Jul 19, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-19 14:56:21-04

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Missouri and new quarterback Kelly Bryant were picked to finish third in its division in a preseason media poll.

Defending Southeastern Conference champion Alabama is the favorite to once again beat Georgia in the conference title game.

The Crimson Tide was selected by 203 of 260 voters this week at SEC media days in results released Friday. Georgia, which lost to Alabama in the championship game last season, received 49 first-place votes.

Mizzou was picked to finish third in the SEC East led by quarterback Kelly Bryant, a transfer from reigning national champion Clemson.

The Tigers open the season Aug. 31 at Wyoming and begin conference play Sept. 21 against South Carolina at Memorial Stadium in Columbia.

Mizzou finished 8-5 last season, including a 38-33 loss against Oklahoma State in the 2018 AutoZone Liberty Bowl in Memphis.

The Tigers wound up tied for fourth in the SEC East last season.

Eight teams were picked as the SEC champion on at least one ballot.

The predicted order of finish in the West was Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M, Auburn, Mississippi State, Mississippi and Arkansas.

Georgia was picked first in the East, followed by Florida, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and Vanderbilt.

Alabama also led the way with a record 12 first-team preseason All-SEC picks, led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and linebacker Dylan Moses.