July 23, 2010

The University of South Carolina is picked to finish third in the SEC Eastern Division, while Cliff Matthews and Stephon Gilmore are first-team All-SEC selections, according to the preseason predictions by the media attending the 2010 SEC Media Days, it was announced today.

The Gamecocks received 790 points including eight first-place votes, to finish just one point behind Georgia (791) for second place in the predicted order of finish in the East. Florida, with 153 first place votes and 1030 points overall, was the favorite to win the East. Kentucky (462) edged Tennessee (450) for fourth place, while Vanderbilt rounded out the division with 194 points.

Alabama was the media favorite to win the Western Division. The defending National Champion Crimson Tide picked up 157 first place votes and 1034 points overall. Arkansas (726), Auburn (691) and LSU (653) were next, followed by Mississippi State (320) and Ole Miss (293).

Alabama was also the selected as the favorite to win the SEC Championship with 143 votes. Florida was a distant second with 17. Nine of the 12 schools had at least one voter pick them as the SEC Champion.

Earlier this week, Matthews and Gilmore were also named to the first-team All-SEC preseason squad by the league’s 12 coaches.

Matthews, a 6-4, 260-pound senior defensive end from Cheraw, S.C., was a second-team All-SEC pick in 2009. One of the squad’s captains, Matthews is listed on the preseason Lott Trophy, Nagurski and Lombardi watch lists. He recorded 47 tackles including 35 solo stops in 2009, with 10.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks.

Gilmore, a 6-1, 188-pound sophomore from Rock Hill, S.C. earned Freshman All-America honors last season after starting every game at cornerback. He logged 56 tackles a year ago and broke up eight passes to go along with his one interception.

The Gamecocks will report for fall camp on Monday, August 2 with the first practice scheduled for Tuesday, August 3.