Paul Finebaum previews the biggest storylines at upcoming SEC Media Days

There’s no shortage of headline news coaches must break down at the upcoming SEC Media Days. However, before any rules or schedules are discussed, Paul Finebaum expects to hear from some of the top dogs in the SEC, starting with Georgia head coach Kirby Smart.

“It really comes down to Kirby Smart, and what is he going to say, if anything, to address the constant issues in his program off the field? There are no issues on the field. We all know that. But there are a number of them off the field and I fully expect him to deal with it front and center. I think that’s who he is. He knows he will be asked about it. And so I think that’s really the first thing you look for,” Finebaum said on a recent episode of “McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning.”

Smart is up to his neck in off-field issues. Since winning the National Championship in January, five Georgia players have been arrested, four of them for reckless driving. Two of those incidents, involving Samuel M’Pemba and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, happened last week.

Of course, the multitude of car-related incidents is capitalized by Jalen Carter’s reckless driving in January that led to a crash, killing that recruiting analyst Chandler Lecroy and UGA offensive lineman Devin Willock. Carter was arrested in March on reckless driving and street racing charges related to the incident.

The only player who wasn’t arrested for reckless driving was wide receiver De’Nylon Morrissette. He was arrested for driving under the influence. You can see the issue.

While Smart has spoken on the issue before, SEC media days will be his best opportunity to confront the problem head-on. Smart isn’t the only SEC figurehead Finebaum expects to hear from.

“Whatever Nick Saban says is news. I think it begins with the commissioner on Monday, a week from today, what does he say in relation to really the future of college football considering his role? He’s at the head of the table as the most influential person,” Finebaum said.

Keep your ears peeled as On3 continues to cover SEC Media Days. The event will begin on July 17 and run until July 20. Media Days will feature all 14 conference head coaches and three players per team representing their respective programs.