SEC's Best Quarterbacks
For the most part, these are all names you know. And the group is deep. Yes, Tim Tebow is on this list, but so is Brent Schaeffer. Hey, I’ve got to rank them all.
1. Tennessee - Expect Erik Ainge to be an even better player in his second year with David Cutcliffe. His numbers might not be as good as last year with fewer solid options at wide receiver, but he’s a proven decision maker and the unquestioned leader. The only drawback is durability, which isn’t all Ainge’s fault. Woodson's numbers were better, but if I'm picking a team, I'd rather have Ainge.
2. Kentucky – Andre Woodson’s numbers were gaudy in ’06 – 3,500 yards with 31 TDs and 7 INTs – but a weak non-conference schedule helped pad those totals. This year, the ‘Cats face Kent State, Eastern Kentucky, Florida Atlantic and Louisville outside the SEC. Woodson has the benefit of Keenan Burton to throw to, but his TD-to-INT ratio will surely rise. Still, he’s the best UK quarterback not named Lorenzen or Couch, and that’s pretty good company.
3. Georgia – Check what Matt Stafford did in the final half of 2007, and ignore that e-mail-of-the-week picture of him hoisting a keg at Talladega this spring. Ignore the 2-to-1 interceptions to touchdowns ratio, too. In his last three games, Stafford threw just one interception (after throwing 12 to that point) and guided Georgia to wins at Auburn and against Georgia Tech, both ranked teams at the time. He could be an outside candidate to make some All-SEC teams in December.
4. Florida – Chuck Norris – errr, Tim Tebow - gets the reins full time. The head-lowering, fullback-dive yards will likely come from 6-foot-5, 242-pound freshman Cam Newton, not Tebow. Just remember that Tebow was recruited as a quarterback, not an up-the-gut runner. If you need a reminder, Tebow completed 15 of his 22 first-half passes in the Gators’ spring game for 203 yards and guided the first-team offense to four TDs in its first five possessions. That’s spring football, sure, but by season’s end expect to see Tebow on some All-SEC ballots and maybe even a few Heisman ones.
5. Alabama – John Parker Wilson completed 57 percent of his passes for 2,707 yards last season. He also gained 290 yards on the ground, making him a dual threat. The presence of D.J. Hall makes him better, and he’ll get good protection behind a veteran line.
6. Auburn – Gutsy veteran Brandon Cox returns, but his durability is a serious issue. Still, he had the Tigers hitting on all cylinders during the spring game against a depleted defense, but Auburn must replace four starters on the offensive line. The only returner is King Dunlap, a big left tackle. Too bad Cox is left-handed, which means a new starter will be guarding his blindside.
7. Vanderbilt – Better with his feet than with the ball, Chris Nickson returns after finishing fourth in the league in total offense with 231 yards a game. Still, he had 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, and needs to improve that ratio. Earl Bennett’s return puts Nickson ahead of others on the list.
8. LSU – Matt Flynn brings experience and Ryan Perrilloux brings potential, but the duo will rotate all while learning first-year coordinator Gary Crowton’s new spread offense. That’s not exactly a recipe for big production, at least early.
9. South Carolina – Blake Mitchell is an average quarterback at best, and Spurrier won’t hesitate to bench him if there’s trouble early. Only Kenny McKinley is a proven target with Sidney Rice leaving early for the NFL. Back-up Chris Smelley is a capable backup and could be the starter by season’s end. Keep an eye on Stephen Garcia, too, who is less of a factor after two run-ins with police kept him out of spring practice.
10. Mississippi State – Despite completing just 74 passes in an injury filled 2006, Michael Henig has talent – just not a lot of help. He’s got a good arm, but juco backup Josh Riddell could be called on to help.
11. Arkansas – The Razorbacks won the West last year in spite of Casey Dick. Alternating with departed QB Mitch Mustain, Dick completed 65 of 132 passes for 961 yards, nine TDs and six picks. And that’s with 6-foot-6 Marcus Monk at wideout.
12. Ole Miss – The much-ballyhooed arrival of UT retread Brent Schaeffer ended with the Rebels finishing 2006 as the SEC’s worst passing offense.
This spring, Seth Adams took over as starter, but Ole Miss is still the bottom of the SEC’s quarterback barrel.
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