SEC Media Days - Day 1 roundup

For some, Day 1 of SEC Media Days is an important mile-marker of sorts in the college football calendar. It’s a reminder that we’re in the home stretch of the long slog of the offseason and another step toward, ya know, actual football.

Of course, it’s rare anything substantial or revelatory comes from media days. You’ll get your occasional trash talk, but for the most part, coaches will tell reporters how productive their team’s offseason was. The coach’s team worked hard in the weight room. He has seen some players step up as leaders. The players and coaches learned from the previous season and are looking forward to a new challenge.

Monday was no different. Still, it sure was nice to turn our attention toward actual football, even if plenty of off-the-field topics were discussed.

Anyway, here’s what happened on Day 1:

Sankey downplays off-field issues

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey opened the day by addressing some of the lingering issues hanging over the league’s head. The SEC has seen it all this offseason: NCAA violations, a sexual assault lawsuit and arrests galore. Sankey said the league being in the headlines is nothing new. Instead, he opted to focus on the positives.

“The fact that there are headlines round the Southeastern Conference isn’t new. The fact that we come to Media Days, and there are maybe more extreme headlines is not new,” Sankey said. “I just talked about dozens of young people achieving great things, and if we really evaluate what is at the center of some of the recent articles, we’re talking about some issues that probably occurred in 2012 and 2013 that are just being adjudicated. We may be talking about one or two or three individuals, and their misbehavior.

“I don’t think that attaches properly to the entire conference. The body of work of this conference far outweighs those problems, yet we are attentive to those realities. We understand when the issues arise, we need to even be more attentive, be that on campus or as a collective group.”

And while he was at it, Sankey made sure to show off the league’s shiny new tagline: “It just means more.”

In fact, Sankey used it nine separate times during his opening address. It sounds good now, but does anybody think for a second it won’t be mocked in some fashion like the Big 12 was for its “One True Champion” mantra? Yeah, me neither.

Auburn, Florida gear up for QB battles

Auburn’s Gus Malzahn – who earlier in the day announced that four players arrested for marijuana possession would not miss game action – was the first coach to grace the podium. Last year was a disappointment for the Tigers, no doubt, and the hot seat talk will make its presence felt quickly with another slow start.

To avoid that, Auburn will need improved play at the quarterback position – and there are three in the running to earn the starting nod when the season opens against Clemson: Sean White, Jeremy Johnson and junior college transfer John Franklin III.

Franklin’s mobility (a la Nick Marshall) could give him a leg up, though it’s too early to say, Malzahn said.

“John is the guy to be impressed with. He’s really won his teammates’ respect which is always important for a new guy coming in. It’s very important to him. He’s a hard worker,” Malzahn said. “The two older guys both are in a lot better spot than they were this time last year. Once we identify who our starter is, it gives us a best chance of winning. You will see us tweak our offense to build around their strengths. We’re always going to have the same philosophy and core beliefs with our offense, but once we make that call on who that guy is, we will tweak and try to build around their strengths and try not to ask them to do things that are maybe not their strengths.”

Like Auburn, Florida is looking for a new starting quarterback, too. Luke Del Rio and Purdue transfer Austin Appleby are perceived to be the favorites, but coach Jim McElwain hasn’t ruled out freshmen Feleipe Franks and Kyle Trask.

“The key there is having that right mix. Obviously in Austin Appleby, someone who played in big games, he’s played in big stadiums, having started in the Big Ten. That’s something that’s invaluable. You know, in Luke’s case, familiarity he had kind of with what we do offensively, I think is good,” McElwain said.

“The key is to see that competition, and what those guys do to give of themselves, to help those two younger guys in Kyle Trask and Feleipe Franks, how they help them develop. That’s what has been kind of fun, is to see some veterans who know how to study a game plan, know how to study install. Kind of from that standpoint help those younger guys come along. We’ve really got good arm talent. I’m excited about being able to stretch the field vertically. Should be a lot of fun.”

Vanderbilt looks to take next step

Vanderbilt went 4-8 last season and won only two SEC games, but four of those losses came by single-digit margins. Derek Mason’s squad has proved it can compete. Now, Mason says, it’s time to win.

“The idea of who we stand for, what we need to do in the midst of playing in this conference, moving towards being not just competitive, but winning games, is the ultimate goal for this team, and that’s where we plan on being in 2016,” Mason said.

And to his credit, Mason again made sure to bring his A-game in the fashion department.

Speaking of style, Florida’s McElwain apparently is staunchly anti-socks.

Kinda weird, coach.

Will there be changes to the College Football Playoff?

No.

As of now, the CFP semifinals will still fall on New Year’s Eve, executive director Bill Hancock said. And no, Hancock insisted, the field will not expand beyond four because of contracts and money and stuff.

“There’s no discussion of expanding. We set the four-team tournament for 12 years, and there’s no discussion in our group about any kind of expansion,” he said.

Thanks for coming, Bill.

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On tap for Tuesday:

• Kirby Smart – Georgia

• Butch Jones – Tennessee

• Kevin Sumlin – Texas A&M

• Dan Mullen (who may take a break from surfing) – Mississippi State

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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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