We compared the media's preseason predictions to the full standings from each season.
On Thursday, the assembled media in Hoover wrapped up the week by releasing its annual preseason predictions for the SEC standings. If you've read literally anything about those predictions, you already know that they're almost always wrong — since the SEC introduced a conference championship game 24 years ago, the media has accurately predicted the winner just five times.
| Year | Preseason pick | Result | Actual SEC champ |
| 2015 | Auburn | 7th (West) | Alabama |
| 2014 | Alabama | SEC Champs | Alabama |
| 2013 | Alabama | t-1st (West) | Auburn |
| 2012 | LSU | t-2nd (West) | Alabama |
| 2011 | Alabama | 2nd (West) | LSU |
| 2010 | Alabama | 4th (West) | Auburn |
| 2009 | Florida | SEC runners-up | Alabama |
| 2008 | Florida | SEC Champs | Florida |
| 2007 | LSU | SEC Champs | LSU |
| 2006 | Auburn | t-2nd (West) | Florida |
| 2005 | Tennessee | 5th (East) | Georgia |
| 2004 | Georgia | 2nd (East) | Auburn |
| 2003 | Auburn | 3rd (West) | LSU |
| 2002 | Tennessee | 3rd (East) | Georgia |
| 2001 | Florida | 2nd (East) | LSU |
| 2000 | Alabama | t-5th (West) | Florida |
| 1999 | Tennessee | 2nd (East) | Alabama |
| 1998 | Florida | 2nd (East) | Tennessee |
| 1997 | Florida | t-2nd (East) | Tennessee |
| 1996 | Tennessee | 2nd (East) | Florida |
| 1995 | Florida | SEC Champs | Florida |
| 1994 | Florida | SEC Champs | Florida |
| 1993 | Alabama | SEC runners-up | Florida |
| 1992 | Florida | SEC runners-up | Alabama |
That table is from SB Nation's Christian D'Andrea, who also notes.