Here is the latest SEC sports news from The Associated Press

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama football teams will soon be playing on Saban Field. University trustees approved a resolution naming the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium after former coach Nick Saban on Friday. Saban now works for ESPN and holds an office at the stadium. He retired from coaching in January after leading Alabama to six national championships in 17 seasons. Saban called the honor “pretty special.” A field-naming ceremony will be held at the South Florida game on Sept. 7. Saban collected a record seven national championships, including one at LSU.

DALLAS (AP) — There is already a much different feel around Texas A&M with new coach Mike Elko. The focus is back on football, without all of the noise that surrounded the program last year. Elko was hired away from Duke after Texas A&M paid $75 million to fire Jimbo Fisher and bring some stability to the program. Elko said when he was hired that it was time for the Aggies to do the work and start to fulfill their potential. Ther former defensive coordinator says that's what they have done the past seven months, and that he is proud of how quiet the offseason has been.

DALLAS (AP) — Georgia is the heavy favorite to win the Southeastern Conference title and is picked to face league newcomer Texas in the championship game. The Bulldogs received 165 votes to win the SEC title among reporters covering league media days in Dallas. Texas got 27 votes and Alabama 12. With the addition of Texas and Oklahoma to the now 16-team league, it will be the SEC’s first season without divisions since 1991. The SEC Championship Game will include the two teams with the best overall league winning percentages. Georgia had six players picked as preseason first-team All-SEC, including quarterback Carson Beck.

DALLAS (AP) — Arkansas coach Sam Pittman knows he's on the hot seat after going 4-8 last season. He made a headline-grabbing hire during the offseason when he brought Bobby Petrino back to Fayetteville as offensive coordinator. Petrino was Arkansas' head coach from 2008-11 before being fired after a scandal. Petrino has bounced around a lot since, including last season at Texas A&M. Pittman says Petrino has been a great resource, and will have the full responsibility for the Razorbacks' offense. Arkansas also has a new quarterback in dual threat Taylen Green after he transferred from Boise State.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The man who painted the midfield South Carolina Gamecocks midfield logo for 40 football seasons at Williams-Brice Stadium, has died at age 69. Eddie Dunning's death was announced by the university's athletic department on Wednesday. His obituary said Dunning died July 13 at an area Columbia. Dunning was a longtime department employee who would start preparing the logo on Thursdays of game week so it would be ready and dry for Saturday.