For followers of the SEC, and SEC football in particular, the summer’s most significant event has just wrapped: SEC Media Days in Hoover.

The event is more or less considered the ceremonial party that let’s football fans know that SEC football is right around the corner. The media casts votes for all-conference teams. The coaches stand at podiums and spread their various messages of hope. And radio hosts sit in a dark hallway, waiting for the arrival of someone — anyone — other than another radio host.

And as usual, there were one or two “controversial” story-lines to feed the media frenzy. (Two years ago, it was Phil Fulmer and the subpoena. Last year, it was Tim Tebow’s chastity. This year it was agentgate.)

And as usual, there were a couple of new faces on the agenda, one of whom was still an assistant up until just a couple of weeks ago.

New Vandy coach Robbie Caldwell (Andy Bitter)

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As far as Auburn goes, this summer has been about as good as it gets. Which is to say, there haven’t been too many headlines. (Compare that with, say, news out of Knoxville or Athens or … Miami.) And heading into the season, there’s plenty of reason for optimism. (In fact, Auburn received the 3rd highest number of 1st place votes from the media, behind only Alabama and Florida.)

At SEC Media Days, Auburn players Lee Ziemba, Aairon Savage, and Josh Bynes all acquitted themselves well. (Had there been an award for Best Dressed, Savage definitely would’ve been in the running.) And Coach Chizik continued to be the steadying presence that the program needs.

Aairon Savage (photo, AP)

Aairon Savage (video, CBS 42)

Josh Bynes (audio, WJOX FM)

Gene Chizik (article, Birmingham News)

SEC Media Days (video, al.com)

All-SEC Tigers (auburntigers.com)

But to put things in the big picture, now that SEC Media Days are behind us, we can really start looking forward to the new season. Fan Day is scheduled for Aug. 15, and the first game is Sep. 4.

Until then … feel free to revisit this classic WarEagleTales post from Media Days ’08, in which I try to ease myself into the various SEC proceedings. And true to my word, I haven’t been back since!

John goes to Hoover (WarEagleTales)

War Eagle!

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“It would be impractical to revote. It’s been six years. Memories have faded and the poll board from that year is no longer intact.” — AP Sports Editor Terry Taylor, June 11, 2010

As luck would have it, the poll board here at WarEagleTales is very much intact. So intact, in fact, that it was never out of tact. Not even during that ugly Nallsminger episode of ’03. But I digress …

In light of recent actions taken by the NCAA, we’ve decided to revisit our poll results from the 2004 football season. As many of you may recall, we cast our ballots that year in anonymous fashion. Highly anonymous, in fact, as they cannot be found anywhere. Published or otherwise.

So to rectify that little difficulty, we’ve decided to hold a re-vote. Yes, I know, such re-voting can cause all sorts of difficulties, stemming from faded memories and what not, but thanks to Al Gore, and a little thing called the Internet, an amazing amount of information still remains. Even from as far back as 2004.

To wit:

•  The Auburn University Tigers, at that time coached by one Tommy Tuberville, went undefeated. Yep, that’s right – nary a single defeat in some 13 games including a conference championship, the Sugar Bowl, and five different games against Top-15 opponents (the most of any team in the country).

•  At that time, Auburn played in a 12-team league known as the SEC. Say it with me now: “Esss-eee-seaa.” Sends a shiver down your spine, dudn’t it? Well, it should. The SEC is considered the roughest, toughest, and bestest football conference in all the land. Doubt me? Just look at its record in BCS title games: 6-0. Not too shabby, eh?

•  Under the guidance of a certain defensive coordinator by the name of Gene Chizik, the 2004 Auburn defense held opponents to a nation’s best 11.3 points per game. Forgot about that didn’t ya? Well, don’t worry, because many have, what with future NFL stars Jason Campbell, Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, Ronnie Brown, and Marcus McNeil all playing on offense. (Once again, thank you, Internet!)

•  And best of all, as it turns out Auburn had zero players who were later ruled ineligible by the NCAA. A nice, clean immaculate number that.

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Now, in light of all this new-found information, let the 2004 WarEagleTales Football Re-vote commence! We officially call this poll board meeting to order. When I say your name, say here.

You there!

“Here.”

Me!

“Present.”

And you over there, sitting on that tree limb inside that rather large aviary.

“Squawk.”

Okay, so now that we’ve taken roll, let’s cast our votes. Up for consideration is the No. 1 team in the land. He who shall be named …… champion.

When I call your name, please cast your vote for who you believe the best team in the country was that year …  that did not utilize an ineligible player or get beaten unmercifully in its bowl game.

Okay. I’ll go first.

“Auburn!”

Now you.

“Auburn!”

And finally, you over there, with the glorious white feathers growing from your scalp.

“Squawk!”

Okay, so, let me just tally this up here … (tap-tap-tap) … (tap-tap-tap) … that’s one for … (tap-tap-tap) … and another for … (tap-tap-tap) … and carry the … (tap-tap-tap) …

Okay, folks we have a winner! And what’s that? It’s unanimous!

***

See? Now that wasn’t so hard, was it? And what’s more, we’ll even post the results below, for the sake of transparency and what not.

Final WET Poll (first-place votes)

1)      Auburn (3)

2)      (Somebody else.)

3)      (Does it really matter?)

4)      (Are you still reading?)

5)       …

War Eagle!

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Auburn’s Tiger Prowl made a stop in Pelham Wednesday night at the Verizon Wireless Music Center. Several hundred Auburn fans congregated in the amphitheatre parking lot to meet with a variety of the coaches, including Trooper Taylor, Jeff Grimes, Curtis Luper, Phillip Lolley, and Tommy Thigpen. Also making an appearance was new Men’s Basketball coach Tony Barbee, plus a number of 2010 football commits (Jake Holland, LaDarius Owens, and Chad Slade). Here are a few pictures from the event:

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Auburn running back Ben Tate was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft last night by the Houston Texans. The Texans chose Tate with the 26th pick of the round and the 58th pick overall.

Last year, Tate rushed for over 1,300 yards while at Auburn and finished his career as the 5th leading rusher in Auburn history (3,321 yards).

At the NFL Combine in February, Tate posted some impressive numbers, including a 40 time of 4.43 seconds, which was the third fastest among the running backs. Tate also tied for first in the bench press (26 reps) and first in the broad jump (10 feet, 4 inches).

Tate joins fellow SEC standout Kareem Jackson, who was selected by the Texans in the first round, and Arizona DT Earl Mitchell, who was taken in the third.

Congratulations, Ben, and War Eagle!

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Auburn set a new attendance record for its annual A-Day game this past weekend, with an official attendance of 63,217. The crowd filled the lower bowl of Jordan-Hare Stadium and enjoyed a fun spring afternoon under the sun.

As usual for a spring game, there weren’t many firm conclusions to be drawn from the team’s play, though place kicker Wes Byrum hit a 50-yard field goal and the four quarterbacks produced an efficient passing day, going 37 of 50 (74%) for 488 yards. Fans also got their first chance to see quarterback Cameron Newton in action.

Here are a few photos from the day.

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