The Associated Press

HOOVER, Ala. - Tommy Tuberville isn't used to so many people saying nice things about his football program in the preseason.

His Auburn Tigers, overachievers in recent years, are the heavy favorites to win their first Southeastern Conference championship since 1989.

"You have to feel like when you walk out on that field that you're going to win that game," Tuberville said at the SEC media day Thursday. "This year for the first year, whether we're going to do it or not, our team's going to have that confidence and that feeling."

The Tigers have won or shared three straight SEC West titles, despite seldom getting picked to finish better than the middle of the pack.

They upped the stakes with a strong finish last season and an impressive cast of returnees were the overwhelming pick of league media Thursday to win the SEC.

The Tigers won five of their last six games, including upsets of No. 9 Alabama and No. 10 Penn State in the Capital One Bowl, and a near-miss against Georgia.

"We're just trying to stay humble," LB Karlos Dansby said.

The Tigers return eight starters on both offense and defense, including a loaded offensive backfield and one of the nation's top linebacking duos.

"I'm pretty sure they feel pretty cocky right now," LSU defensive tackle Chad Lavalais said.

ALL PRESEASON TEAM: Mississippi's Eli Manning was picked as the Southeastern Conference's top passer, while Auburn linebacker Dansby was the top vote-getter for the preseason All-SEC team.

Kentucky return specialist Derek Abney also made the first-team. Alabama led all teams with five first-team picks, while LSU had four.

OHIO STATE: Tailback Maurice Clarett exaggerated the value of items he reported stolen from a borrowed car he was driving, his attorney said. As the NCAA investigates, school officials announced Clarett will be held out of preseason football practice.

"Clarett will not participate in preseason football camp until, and unless, all issues related to his eligibility regarding his amateur status have been resolved," athletic director Andy Geiger and coach Jim Tressel said in a release late Wednesday.

The NCAA has investigated a police report filed by Clarett that said cash and thousands of dollars of stereo equipment were stolen from the car he was driving.

UCLA: Wide receiver Tab Perry will miss the upcoming season after failing to meet NCAA academic eligibility requirements.

SEC media picks

EASTERN DIVISION:

1. Georgia (42)	124
2. Tennessee (30)	138
3. Florida (6)	207
4. South Carolina	349
5. Kentucky	356
6. Vanderbilt	464

WESTERN DIVISION:

1. Auburn (60)	105
2. LSU (13)	162
3. Arkansas (2)	278
4. Alabama (1)	303
5. Mississippi (2)	332
6. Mississippi St.	458

Overall champ voting: Auburn (45), Georgia (12), Tennessee (10), LSU (6), Ole Miss (2), Florida (2), Arkansas (1).

( ) indicates first-place votes