Saw that too
Was a bit odd -- not because they're picking UGA to win the East, but if they're saying UGA wins the division and Bama's the SEC #1 (meaning championship), then that means that Bama would have beaten UGA in the SEC Championship game the week beforehand
Unless they expect UGA to be undefeated (slip by seems to suggest not) then odds are UGA drops out of BCS at-large potential from losing the week before the bowls are announced; so that wouldnt happen
Either an overlook on their part or someone doesn't completely understand the process and is just making picks off ranking teams in the conferences
You already know this, but I'll say it anyway.....
At this point in the (pre) season, there are a dozen or so safe picks for the coming year. Take last year's BCS champion and runner-up, add in the top two teams from the major conferences, plus Boise State, pick a spoiler (e.g. - TCU), and there you have it. Next season's "Team's to Watch".
Yes, there's always a Cinderella team, but it don't take Kreskin, or Dick Tracy, to figure out who the top half of the Top 25 are for 2010.
And there's always the "edge player", who makes picks that...go figure...make the news. Hey, they get paid to sell words, and controversy sells, so...
Don't be the hound dog that ends up chasing the rabbit. Use the years of common sense you've gained from being a college football fan.
Could Georgia win the East? Yes. So could UT. Or even USCe. But the team to beat is UF, plain and simple. UT, UGA, and USCe are not going to all beat UF, so it boils down to who has the best chance.
Believe it or not, UT does. Does that make us the favorite in the East? Not by a long shot. We have to deal with the rest of our SEC schedule.
My point is this: Don't get distracted by the lone idiot who thinks "this is UK's year against UT", for example...been there...seen that.
It is what it is. This is a rebuilding year for UT. It might be a thin one. All UF has to replace is a QB, and Brantley will be okay. UGA has QB problems, and USCe is...well...USCe. Spurrier's best days are behind him. Joker Phillips has more to prove than Dooley does, and Vandy is...well...Vandy.
UF, then UGA/UT/USCe (in some order). then UK/Vandy (in some order).
I could be wrong...it won't be the first time, but until any team other than UF, UT or UGA proves they can rule the East, this is still a three-team division.
Go Vols.