HOOVER, Ala. — Defending national champion Alabama is the overwhelming pick to beat Florida in the Southeastern Conference championship game.

Both teams were picked to meet for the title for the third consecutive year in balloting by reporters who cover the league at SEC media days.

Florida got 153 of 176 first-place votes in the Eastern Division, with Georgia (15) and South Carolina (eight) also getting some votes.

Alabama got 157 votes of 177 in the Western Division, where only Mississippi State didn’t receive a vote. Arkansas (six) was picked second, followed by Auburn (10), LSU (1), and Mississippi (three).

It’s the first time since 2000 that Alabama has been the media’s preseason SEC favorite.