| You get some outlandish picks from the attendees voting on the preseason poll and preseason all-conference team at SEC Media Days. Eight people — eight — picked Vanderbilt to win the SEC East. That's as many first-place votes as Texas A&M, Arkansas and Auburn got to win the SEC West, combined. I know we were in Nashville for media days, the Commodores' hometown, but come on people. The picks for LSU were more measured. And respectful. The Tigers were picked a close second to finish behind Alabama in the SEC West after being the surprise division winner last year and got the third-most first-place votes to win the conference overall. In addition to that, six LSU players were named to the preseason All-SEC first team. Two that stood out: Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels, who beat out Arkansas' KJ Jefferson, and defensive tackle Maason Smith. It's a great amount of respect for both players, especially Smith, who missed all but a handful of plays before being injured in LSU's 2022 season opener against Florida State. Five other Tigers made the All-SEC second and third teams, combined. Check out the complete list right here. Former LSU baseball All-American Dylan Crews didn't wind up as the No. 1 overall pick in this year's major league draft. That honor went to former LSU pitcher Paul Skenes. But don't weep too much for the former Tiger outfielder. According to reports, he agreed to a $9 million signing bonus with the Washington Nationals, which is slightly above slot value. Nice money if you can get it. And finally, another week another coaching award for LSU women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey. Friday she was honored with the Allstate Sugar Bowl's outstanding collegiate coach award, going to the best college coach in Louisiana regardless of sport. Mulkey, who of course led LSU to its first-ever NCAA basketball title in April, beat out LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson and two other finalists. Well, that's all the stories that made the cut for today, folks (unlike former LSU golfer Sam Burns, who didn't make the cut Friday in the British Open). I hope you all have a great sports weekend, and we'll do this again next week. Scott Rabalais | 
