In the world of SEC football, being a media personality can’t be easy.

There are 14 passionate fan bases hanging on every word that is said, and no matter how professional, funny, and factually accurate a broadcast journalist may be, there’s a good chance they’re going to tick off one of those groups before the show is finished. Every time.

It’s just the way life is in the SEC.

So as we prepare to embark on the journey that is the 2015 college football season, let’s review the best TV media has to offer in four different areas of coverage dedicated to our favorite conference:

Studio Hosts

1. Paul Finebaum: The train wreck that is “The Paul Finebaum Show” captures the essence of what it is like to be obsessed with college football in the South for 365 days a year. The topics of discussion and the characters calling in to participate in the debates can be like nails on a chalkboard, but there is no better place to check the pulse of the average SEC football fan.

2. Dari Nowkhah: SEC fans are really fortunate to have this guy as one of the top anchors on the SEC Network. He is knowledgeable, likable and professional, which is a good combination of attributes for a guy charged with consistently leading the direction of flagship shows like “SEC Now.”

3. Joe Tessitore: Tessitore is a versatile media personality. He’s good as a host, he does well with play-by-play, and he even branches outside of football as well. His role as the host of “SEC Nation” earned him the spot in these rankings.

Studio Analysts

1. Greg McElroy: Fresh off his playing career, the former Alabama quarterback brings relevant and current insight into the league as a studio analyst for the SEC Network. He has done such a good job that he has earned a spot as Tim Tebow’s successor on SEC Nation this fall.

2. Marcus Spears: The former LSU defensive end is always entertaining. As a member of SEC Network’s crew, including a spot as one of the personalities on SEC Nation, Spears brings years of experience as an NFL big man to the analyst table.

3. Rick Neuheisel: We’re taking a chance on this ranking. A newcomer to the game with a decided West Coast bias, it will be interesting to see how the former UCLA, Washington and Colorado head coach will break down the SEC on CBS from week-to-week this season.

Play-by-play Announcers

1. Verne Lundquist: Are his best days as an announcer likely behind him? Probably. Is he still a SEC football institution as the lead play-by-play man on the SEC on CBS game of the week? Absolutely. Uncle Verne is grandfathered into this top spot. Deal with it.

2. Brent Musburger: Another who has earned his stripes with years of experience covering college football, the 76-year-old now finds himself as the lead play-by-play man for the SEC Network each week. His voice is a welcomed familiarity on a fall afternoon.

3. Dave Neal: After years as the voice of the SEC on the Jefferson Pilot/Lincoln Financial broadcast, many SEC fans are used to waking up to the sound of Neal calling the day’s first game. Though he’s now on the SEC Network, he can still often be found bringing the call on that early game on Saturdays.

Color Commentators

1. Jesse Palmer: The former Florida quarterback takes a lot of ribbing for being better known for his role on ABC’s “The Bachelor” than he is for his NFL playing career, but there is little doubting this guy can bring it as a color commentator for ESPN and SEC Network.

2. Gary Danielson: What would we do without the guy that everyone swears hates their team? He may be critical, but he’s usually entertaining as the color commentator on the SEC on CBS game of the week each Saturday.

3. David Pollack: Pollack doesn’t always draw an SEC game, but we’re claiming the three-time All-American Georgia Bulldog because he is one of our own. Teaming up with Palmer and Tessitore for ESPN’s Thursday night broadcasts, there is a strong SEC presence on the weekday programming.