Today begins the SEC's four-day media event in Hoover — and you thought the NFL stretching its draft over three days was too much.

But if there's one conference that's going to one-up the NFL, it's the SEC.

MORE: SN Preseason Top 25 | Coach rankings 1 to 128

Here are things you should know and monitor as the countdown to the 2016 season pushes forward.

What is the SEC Media Day schedule?

Today: Commissioner Greg Sankey and Auburn (12:35 p.m.-3:25 p.m.), Florida and Vanderbilt (3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.)

Tuesday: Georgia and Mississippi State (10:05 a.m.-1:25 p.m.), Tennessee and Texas A&M (2 p.m.-5 p.m.)

Wednesday: Alabama and Arkansas (10:05 a.m.-1:05 p.m.), Kentucky and Missouri (2 p.m.-5 p.m.)

Thursday: South Carolina, Ole Miss, LSU (10:05 a.m.-2:35 p.m.)

The complete list of players attending is here (thanks to FBSschedules.com)

How can I watch SEC Media Days?

Follow all the coaches and players on the SEC Network. It will air all of the interview sessions with the Paul Finebaum Show sprinkled in for fun. You also can stream it on WatchESPN here.

You also can check out the hype video the conference released in front of Monday's media opener:

The Talent.

The Tradition.

The Titles.



SEC Football is almost here.https://t.co/eGqswOfEXP — SEC Network (@SECNetwork) July 11, 2016

If there's one coach to watch, who is it?

For the first time in 11 seasons, it's not Steve Spurrier. He retired — resigned — early last season and he's absence at the podium leaves is a devastating punch to the entertainment value of SEC Media Days. The next best thing? Bret Bielema. Like Spurrier, he says what's on his mind, pulls no punches and isn't afraid to laugh at himself. Plus, you never know what might come out of his mouth. Les Miles' session should be interesting, too.

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Two players you don't want to miss

— Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee. Seriously, is there a player on the planet easier to root for than Dobbs? He's smart — majoring in aerospace engineering — and he's the quarterback for the team everyone is picking to win the SEC East. The senior also is a seasoned veteran of this Media Day thing. Tennessee brought him to Birmingham last year, too.

— Leonard Fournette, LSU. Last year the NCAA (cough, cough) allowed Fournette to auction his No. 7 jersey to help South Carolina flood relief and it raised just more than $100,000. It's a topic that stirs emotions for Fournette, whose family experienced Hurricane Katrina. But the preseason Heisman canddiate will have to answer plenty of questions about figuring out the Alabama defense, which was responsible for removing him from last season's Heisman race.

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How to hijack an interview ...

Kirby Smart would love to step in front of the media Tuesday and discuss the incredible feeling of being a first-time head coach at his alma mater, coaching a team that is expected to compete for the East Division title. Instead, the eight player arrests since his hiring will get plenty of attention. Mark Richt dealt with the same issues. Smart arrived in Athens after spending eight seasons as Nick Saban's defensive coordinator at Alabama, Smart patiently waited for the right opportunity and got it. When he's not answering disciplinary questions, people will want to know about freshman QB Jacob Eason.

Speaking of Alabama, will Tide win it all in 2016?

Well, we know this: Alabama will be in the mix again. Alabama won its fourth national title under Saban last season and even though the Crimson Tide hasn't named a starting quarterback and has to replace Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry, they begin the season as Sporting News' No. 1 team. Six SEC teams are in SN's Top 25.

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How many potential first-round players will be at SEC Media Days?

A lot. Alabama and LSU could be bringing six of them in O.J. Howard, Jonathan Allen, Eddie Jackson, Leonard Fournette, Ethan Pocic and Tre'Davious White. Florida has Marcus Maye and Jarrad Davis, Texas A&M's Myles Garrett will be there as well as Tennessee's Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Missouri's Charles Harris. Could Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly rise to the first round? Can Auburn DE Carl Lawson stay healthy for a full season and state his case as a opening-night selection in 2017 (our early mock draft thinks so)?