Florida's luck with the media at SEC Media Days was even worse than its luck with the SEC's coaches, at least when it comes to esteem for the players: Just four Gators were named to All-SEC teams by the media, and none to the All-SEC first team.
Team Speed Kills has a breakdown of the All-SEC teams by team and school, and it looks very bleak for Florida, which placed kicker Caleb Sturgis on the second team and linebacker Jon Bostic, defensive tackle Dominique Easley, and all-purpose player Trey Burton on the third team.
Consider that from the obvious angle — Florida doesn't have an offensive or defensive player among the SEC's 22 best in either category — and it's bad. Really bad.
Florida's got a lot of talent, at least according to recruiting rankings and Florida's own coaches. But these coaches' and media members' votes suggest that talent is not expected to perform to its maximum in 2011.
There are good things about snubs like this. You think Jaye Howard isn't fired up to be the star that people seemingly don't expect him to be? Think John Brantley, forever pilloried, isn't ready to prove people wrong? But, on the whole, one would rather have the talent that Alabama does — 16 selections, including nine first-teamers, as many as any other team has selections — than the motivation that Florida will.
Florida was also picked third in the SEC East by the media, confirming some of our bewilderment at its status as a betting favorite in the division, and received two votes to win the SEC, probably from people who don't own 2011 calendars.
South Carolina earned 114 first-place votes in the SEC East, giving it a massive advantage over Georgia (38 votes) and Florida (12). Alabama led all teams in votes for SEC West champion (111) and SEC champion (98).