2023 SEC Football Media Days Preview: Expectations, Biggest Questions, Schedule

The SEC's head coaches and brightest stars come together in Nashville, Tenn. to kick off the 2023-24 football season.

© Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Can you feel it?

The college football season is right around the corner. 47 days is all that's between now and kickoff between Alabama and Middle Tennessee State at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Sept. 2.

But first — the stage is set at the 2023 SEC Media Days from the Grand Hyatt in Nashville, Tenn.

Nick Saban, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Dallas Turner and JC Latham are slated to take the podium on Wednesday morning at approximately 9 a.m. CT.

This week marks the end of the long offseason and the arrival of the new football season — plenty of excitement will be in the air.

So — what are we excited for?

Nick Saban Makes History

Saban will turn 72 years old in October — but he's not slowing down any time soon. This will be Saban's 16th SEC Media Days as the head coach of the Crimson Tide — the most by any coach at a single program in event history. It's his 21st appearance overall — just two behind the legendary "Head Ball Coach" Steve Spurrier.

One thing is for sure — there will be plenty of "a'ight" this week from Saban, especially when the quarterback questions come firing in.

Quarterback Controversy?

Speaking of...

The biggest story all offseason for Alabama is the quarterback battle, competition, controversy — whatever you want to call it. Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner are in the midst of a grueling, summer-long tryout that will determine who leads the Crimson Tide offense on the field this season.

At this point, my guess is as good as yours. Will we learn more this week? Probably not — but you never know. How many times can Saban, McKinstry, Turner and Latham deflect until something gets said? We're going to find out — it's probably the biggest storyline in all of the SEC this offseason.

Texas and Oklahoma on the Horizon

A lot of talk this week will be about it being the final edition of SEC Media Days without the Longhorns and Sooners.

Texas and Oklahoma are going to bring a lot to the conference — in all sports. And the two fanbases joining in on rivalries and traditions as well? Look out.

Alabama will finish up its home-and-home with the Longhorns this season. Next year, the Crimson Tide will travel to Norman for its first meeting with the Sooners as conference foes.

Who's Going to be Picked to Win the SEC?

Since 2010, Alabama has been picked to win the SEC 11 out of 13 years — including the last seven straight. The two exceptions? LSU in 2012 (finished 10-3, 6-2 SEC) and Auburn in 2015 (finished 7-6, 2-6 SEC).

Of course, the Crimson Tide won the national championship in both of those seasons.

Will Georgia finally be picked to win the conference after back-to-back national championships? Will Alabama be picked to win the SEC West — or will it be last year's division champion, LSU?

Even with the recent success of Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs, there's still a chance the Crimson Tide is picked for the eighth consecutive year. If its not — history shows that may be a recipe for success for Saban and Alabama.

2023 SEC Media Days Schedule

• Monday, July 17
• Greg Sankey: SEC Commissioner
• LSU (Brian Kelly, Jayden Daniels, Josh Williams, Mehki Wingo)
• Texas A&M (Jimbo Fisher, Fadil Diggs, McKinnley Jackson, Ainias Smith)
• Missouri (Eliah Drinkwitz, Kris Abrams-Draine, Javon Foster, Darius Robinson)
• Tuesday, July 18
• John McDaid: SEC Coordinator of Football Officials
• Vanderbilt (Clark Lea, Ethan Barr, Jaylen Mahoney, Will Sheppard)
• Georgia (Kirby Smart, Brock Bowers, Kamari Lassiter, Sedrick Van Pran)
• Auburn (Hugh Freeze, Luke Deal, Elijah McAllister, Kameron Stutts)
• Mississippi State (Zach Arnett, Jaden Crumedy, Jo’Quavious Marks, Will Rogers)
• Wednesday, July 19
• Alabama (Nick Saban, JC Latham, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Dallas Turner)
• Arkansas (Sam Pittman, Landon Jackson, KJ Jefferson, Raheim Sanders)
• Florida (Billy Napier, Kingsley Eguakun, Jason Marshall Jr., Ricky Pearsall)
• Kentucky (Mark Stoops, Eli Cox, Octavious Oxendine, J.J. Weaver)
• Dr. Katie O'Neal: SEC Chief Medical Advisor
• Thursday, July 20
• Ole Miss (Lane Kiffin, Cedric Johnson, Quinshon Judkins, Deantre Prince)
• South Carolina (Shane Beamer, Tonka Hemingway, Kai Kroeger, Spencer Rattler)
• Tennessee (Josh Heupel, Joe Milton III, Omari Thomas, Jacob Warren)

See Also:

Alabama Football Announces Numbers For Newest Additions

Alabama Football Recruiting Tracker

Alabama 2023 Awards Tracker: Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Watch List