SEC Blog

          SEC media days: Day 1 recap

          • ESPN.com staff
          Jul 13, 2015, 09:30 PM ET

          HOOVER, Ala. -- One could argue that Day 1 of SEC media days is the unofficial start to the college football season. While no one-on-one drills took place inside the Hyatt Regancy Birmingham, we finally got back to talking football with the guys who play and coach it.

          Auburn made the most headlines, as the team just about everyone is picking to win the SEC in 2015 and make a run to -- and through -- the College Football Playoff. Quarterback Jeremy Johnson, who has two starts to his name, looked and sounded like a seasoned vet with his calm demeanor. His orange-and-blue bow tie popped, but his words were smooth and his excitement of finally being the guy on the Plains oozed when he talked about taking over behind center for Nick Marshall.

          It might be hard to find a more balanced -- and potent -- offense in the SEC this fall with Johnson's passing ability. But coach Gus Malzahn wanted everyone to remember that he can be a solid threat to run as well.

          Florida coach Jim McElwain was introduced to media days and spent most of the afternoon talking about reconstructing an offense that has been pitiful of late. You also had Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason, who in his second year ditched the bow tie and presented a more humbled look and attitude, as he tries to right the Commodores' ship in 2015.

          Here were a few of our other favorite moments from the first day:

          Home fans make some noise

          The Auburn faithful had staked out the hotel lobby by 8 a.m. for a glimpse of Gus Malzahn and his crew. We'll see how Alabama diehards respond on Wednesday.

          Welcome to the big time, Jeremy Johnson

          He's been handed the keys to a potential playoff team and even being mentioned as a dark-horse Heisman candidate. Jeremy Johnson will have to get used to this kind of attention.

          Best dressed

          Auburn's Kris Frost or Vanderbilt's Ralph Webb? You decide.

          Best historical reference -- SEC commissioner Greg Sankey

          "In 1963, there was no Twitter, and incidentally, it was the year before I was born. So there was no me at that moment. But that year Bob Dylan wrote a song called 'The Times, They Are A changin'.' This morning, there's a few phrases from those lyrics that I think might be helpful for you and especially meaningful to you in the room. Come writers and critics who prophesize with your pen and keep your eyes wide open, the chance won't come again. I am entirely confident that I will be here again with a chance to visit with you, but it is absolutely true that the times are changing rapidly and all around us."

          Best Quotes, Gus Malzahn

          So, he's no Steve Spurrier or Les Miles, but on the first day of media days, Auburn's coach had a few of our favorite lines:

          On Jim Harbaugh and satellite camps:

          “I think that whole thing kind of got blown out of proportion, to be honest with you. The chances of a team up north coming into our state and getting a player that us or Alabama wants are slim to none.”

          On the addition of Will Muschamp:

          "Defensively, in the offseason, we hired Will Muschamp. In my opinion, the best defensive mind in all of football, not just college football."

          And taking a subtle shot at rival Alabama?

          “Just about everybody in our league has some type of tempo. Even the teams that used to gripe about it are actually doing it now.”

          Best play call