Sports columnist Scott Rabalais with three takes from Day 1 of SEC media days in Atlanta:
1. SEC scheduling redux
Every time SEC commissioner Greg Sankey talks to reporters, he expects questions about a permanent football schedule format. “I (would) like to get out of the football scheduling decision questions,” he said, “so that suggests a longer term (format) would be better.” Reading between the Sankey tea leaves, he appears to favor eight SEC games instead of nine since many schools play big-time nonconference rivals. He said to expect a format soon but would not offer a date.
2. The LaNorris Sellers factor
Shane Beamer said his first team at South Carolina in 2021 was predicted to win two games. In 2025, the Gamecocks are being talked about as a CFP contender, with quarterback LaNorris Sellers, a dark-horse Heisman contender, the biggest reason why. He was injured just before halftime of last year’s 36-33 home loss to LSU. This year, Sellers and South Carolina visit Tiger Stadium on Oct. 11 in a sneaky big matchup for both teams.
3. Vandy dreaming big
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia looked like a Park Avenue doorman with his dark suit and bow tie, and his Commodores are used to being a doormat for SEC foes. But after shocking No. 1 Alabama in 2024, the ‘Dores are aiming to knock the door down. No, really. “The mission ain’t finished. We want to win a national championship,” Pavia said with a straight face. If you can't dream big in July, when can you? Vandy hosts LSU on Oct. 18.
