SEC: A Conference Loaded with Quarterbacks!
All positions on the gridiron are not created equal. A football team may have stars at the skill positions at running back and wide receiver, but if the QB is poor or untested, that's a serious drawback. Look at Ole Miss in 2003, a 10-3 season led by senior QB Eli Manning. A year later, a 4-7 campaign and no bowl game as QBs Ethan Flatt, Micheal Spurlock and Robert Lane combined for 7 TDs and 13 picks.
Yes, quarterback position is the focal point of the offense. It's even more a concern with college football as there is constant rotation with players graduating. Florida of the SEC won the national title last season. While QB Chris Leak is gone, the SEC happens to be loaded with veteran QB play for 2007. Let's take a look at some talented field generals from that always tough conference.
South Carolina: Steve Spurrier knows something about throwing the football, of course. For 2007 all the talk has been on the Gamecock defense which returns a whopping 10 starters. However, just as big a plus is that senior QB Blake Mitchell is back. Mitchell is off an impressive junior campaign completing 66.8% of his passes. Back in 2005 he WAS the offense, with 2,370 pass yards, 17 TDs, 12 picks, so he has a ton of big-game experience under his belt. Hopes are high for a strong 2007 season and South Carolina carries a 9-3 spread run into the fall.
Tennessee: The Vols exploded in 2006 under first-year offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe and QB Erik Ainge. Cutliffe brought in a more aggressive downfield attack and Tennessee struck for 27.8 points and 264 pass yards per contest. 6-foot-6 senior QB Erik Ainge returns (19 TDs, 9 picks) and he completed 67% of his passes for 2,989 yards. He's been starting since his freshman season. The only concern is that Ainge went down early in spring ball with a torn MCL. They hope to get him ready for the opener, but it's still uncertain.
Kentucky: The Wildcats don't have the defense to win the SEC, but they have a gem behind center in senior QB Andre Woodson. Kentucky averaged 276 yards passing as Woodson threw for 3,515 yards, 31 TDs, 7 INTs! If you're a totals player, Kentucky looks like it will score and allow plenty.
Auburn: Tigers Coach Tommy Tuberville is known for a power running game, but this season he also possesses a veteran QB in senior Brandon Cox. He has 29 TDs and 17 picks the last two years. Auburn is 33-5 the last three seasons, and remember they were the only team to beat Florida last fall, 27-17 as a +2 dog.
Alabama: Tide fans are going ga-ga over new coach Nick Saban, who won a national title with LSU in 2003. Saban is a proponent of running the football, but he inherits a talented, veteran offense. Alabama returns 9 starters on offense, including junior quarterback John Parker Wilson. He was polished for a sophomore with 2,707 yards, 17 TDs, 10 picks.
Florida: Lest we forget the defending champs? The Gators are borderline for this list, as they lost QB Leak but return sophomore QB Tim Tebow. Tebow was an Urban Meyer recruit, unlike Leak, and is much better suited for Meyer's Triple Option attack. Tebow passed for 358 yards with 5 TDs, one pick while completing 66.7% of his passes (better than Leak). Tebow was second on the Gators with 469 rushing yards and 5.3 yards per carry, something he will do plenty more of as the full-time QB now.
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