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SEC Media Days 2024 will run from July 15-18 in Dallas. That's an apparent nod to new Southeastern Conference members Texas and Oklahoma. In case the SEC hadn't proved that its sports "just mean more," according to its marketing slogan, the league nabbed two more powerhouses.
How will things go in a 16-team SEC? What are the stories to watch? Here are 10 things to keep an eye on at SEC Media Days 2024.
Top 10 biggest storylines for SEC Media Days 2024
#10, The location tells a story.
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With SEC Media Days 2024, geography tells a story. A year ago, the league met in Nashville. Suffice it to say, things moved west as the SEC welcomes Texas and Oklahoma. Longtime powers within the defensively-deficient Big 12, Texas and Oklahoma will be welcomed by an SEC with something to prove. "Welcome" might be the last kind word either hears for a while.
#9, Can Bush Hamdam jump-start Kentucky?
Mark Stoops may have bumped a 10-win ceiling at Kentucky, reaching that mark in 2018 and 2021 for just the third and fourth time in program history. His last two 7-6 seasons have been pretty ugly. New offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan gets the keys to the Wildcats attack. Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff will have some good targets to throw to, but if UK wants above seven wins, the offense must advance.
#8, Is this the end for Sam Pittman?
After 2021, Arkansas was probably ready to start building a statue for Sam Pittman. Taking over a team with three straight losing seasons, Pittman's second squad went 9-4. Since then, it's 7-6 and 4-8 and QB KJ Jefferson transferred to UCF. Arkansas gets a horrific road schedule and may struggle to keep Pittman. SEC Media Days 2024 could be the beginning of an unfortunate goodbye tour.
#7, Where does Oklahoma fit in?
When the Texas and Oklahoma to SEC talk began, it was the Sooners who were thought of as a title threat. With three 12-win seasons and an 11-win season in Lincoln Riley's five-year tenure, OU looked title-bound. Under new coach Brett Venables, not so much. Can Oklahoma right the ship, or will SEC Media Days 2024 look more like Texas's coronation and Oklahoma taking a step back?
#6, Is it now or never for Kiffin, Ole Miss?
SEC Media Days 2024 could end up being the Lane Kiffin show. The always-entertaining Ole Miss boss has assembled his best team yet. After winning 10 games for the Rebels in 2021 and 11 in 2023, that's a statement. But with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma, Ole Miss seems to have a now-or-never mindset. Could this be the year? The Lane train will be running in Dallas.
#5, Can Blake Baker fix the LSU defense?
LSU, under Brian Kelly, is a perennial contender. 10-4 followed by 10-3 are excellent seasons for the Tigers. The stumbling block has been defense. In those three losses last year, LSU allowed 45, 55 and 42 points respectively. Enter Missouri defensive coordinator Blake Baker, who previously coached at LSU under Ed Orgeron. Can he fix the Tigers? A CFP spot could hang in the balance.
#4, Heisman Hopefuls
In this era, being part of the best team is a massive Heisman boost. This means SEC Media Days 2024 is like a Heisman Trophy candidacy launch. Alabama's Jalen Milroe, Texas's Quinn Ewers, Georgia's Carson Beck, Ole Miss's Jaxson Dart and so many others are ready. Which player can grab the nation's attention? The engines start running in Dallas.
#3, Is Texas really back?
Over most of the past two decades, any positive development at Texas was heralded as an announcement that Texas football was back. But it really wasn't until 2023. Steve Sarkisian's team beat Alabama, won 12 games and made the College Football Playoff. But in the SEC, it's time to see if Texas really is back ... or if they fall back to more 8-5 seasons.
#2, Replacing a legend
Kalen DeBoer has his work cut out for him. Nick Saban may have been the greatest coach in modern college football history. Now, he's retired and a coach with four seasons of FBS head coaching experience holds the reigns in Tuscaloosa. Can DeBoer unleash QB Jalen Milroe, or will Bama take a step back? SEC Media Days 2024 is the first chance to take the program's temperature now.
#1. Can anybody catch Georgia?
In the last three seasons, Georgia has a pair of national titles and a 42-2 record. Can anybody catch up with Kirby Smart's program? Georgia continues to recruit at an embarrassingly high level. Returning Heisman candidate Carson Beck under center certainly won't hurt. Kalen DeBoer might have taken Nick Saban's job, but Kirby Smart may be taking his position as the top coach in college football.
Which SEC Media Days 2024 stories will you be following? Weigh in below with your comments!
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