Media's SEC Predictions: Five Surprises From Vols POV

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Apr 18, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn looks on during the spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

1. Auburn Tigers Picked to Win SEC

This one came completely out of left field. It may not have anything to do with the Tennessee Vols exactly, but it was so crazy that from anybody’s perspective it had to be mentioned.

Gus Malzahn has done a tremendous job as Auburn’s head coach and is now bringing in elite recruiting classes. But despite lots of guys back on defense, the Tigers do have to replace some starters on offense.

It’s hard to sell putting them ahead of LSU or even Alabama, even if the Tide have to rebuild this season.

And speaking of that, though, it gets more surprising when you consider what happened with the way the predictions stacked up. The Tigers are favored to win the SEC. But they came in second to Alabama in the predicted SEC West standings.

This is obviously just another way to show how loaded the SEC West is, and even fro Tennessee’s perspective, it is a blessing to be playing in the SEC East.

Auburn had the most first-place West votes and was picked to win the conference, but Alabama got the most points in the West predictions overall. That means people are all over the place with their predictions on the Tigers.

And that makes this shocking.

Next: Excuse Game: Lucky Win vs. Vols Made Nick Saban

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