South Carolina picked fourth in SEC East

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ South Carolina is picked to finish fourth in the Southeastern Conference’s Eastern Division this year.

The selection was announced Friday from a vote of media members attending the league’s football gathering in Birmingham, Ala.

The Gamecocks were chosen to finish behind Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. Kentucky was picked fifth and Vanderbilt came in last. Auburn was the choice for the Western Division followed by LSU, Alabama, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Arkansas.

Two South Carolina players were named to the media members’ all-SEC preseason first team. Receiver Kenny McKinley was picked on offense, while linebacker Jasper Brinkley was named to the defense.