Hoover, Ala. — So much for out-of-control expectations.

Georgia spent all day Thursday answering questions about how it was going to deal with the hype surrounding this coming football season. Yet the Bulldogs weren't even picked to win their own division when voting was released here at SEC Football Media Days on Friday.

The 70 members of the media who voted on the preseason poll — AJC staffers do not vote on any such polls — say Florida is going to win not only the Eastern Division but the SEC Championship. Their predictions have the Gators defeating West champ Auburn in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta on December 6.

The Bulldogs, who finished last season No. 2 in the nation, were picked to finish second in the East. Georgia was named overall champion on 18 of the 70 ballots, second only to Florida's 36.

In the Eastern Division, Florida had 45 first-place votes, Georgia (23) and Tennessee (2). The Gators, Bulldogs and Volunteers were selected 1-2-3 in the Eastern Division followed by South Carolina, Kentucky and Vanderbilt.

In the Western Division, Auburn was named first place on 48 ballots, while LSU received 21 first place votes and Ole Miss 1. The predicted order of finish in the Western Division was Auburn, LSU, Alabama, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Arkansas.

In the pre-season All-SEC Team voting, Auburn had nine representatives on the first and second teams while LSU had eight. Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina each had five players selected. Florida had the most first-team selections with five followed by LSU and Tennessee with four each.

Tailback Knowshon Moreno and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe were the Bulldogs' only first-team selections.