SEC Football: 2012 Is Shaping Up to Be the Year of the Quarterback

ESPN ran a series of programming in 2011 that claimed that it was the "Year of the Quarterback." 

The Worldwide Leader in Sports may have used that moniker one year too soon, because 2012 is shaping up to be the year of the quarterback in the SEC.

The SEC is generally regarded to be a conference that wins with defense. That will likely still ring true in 2012 considering LSU, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida all figure to boast top 15 defenses. But with all of the quarterback talent in the conference this season, don't be surprised if the SEC is a little bit more offensive than it has been in previous seasons.

Headlining the list of SEC signal-callers is Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson. The second-year starter threw for 3,638 yards, 24 touchdowns and six picks last season, and did so with little help from his offensive line. He's as much of a Heisman candidate as any player in the SEC, and the return of Knile Davis at running back should take a ton of pressure off of Wilson.

Georgia's Aaron Murray is another SEC quarterback that is looking to capitalize on a stellar season in 2011. The 14 interceptions are concerning, but Murray still set a single-season school record with 35 touchdown passes last season.

Those two quarterbacks lead the SEC class, but it's a class that is anything but top heavy.

Tennessee's Tyler Bray has as much upside as any quarterback in the country, Missouri's James Franklin is a dual-threat monster that will take the SEC by storm, Alabama's AJ McCarron is a proven winner and South Carolina's Connor Shaw emerged as a legitimate SEC star last season.

In addition to the proven quarterbacks that litter the top of depth charts, LSU head coach Les Miles seems very confident in the ability for first-year starter Zach Mettenberger to stretch the field, new Florida offensive coordinator Brent Pease helped Kellen Moore achieve unparalleled success at Boise State, Auburn sophomore Kiehl Frazier impressed everyone that saw him this spring and new Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin will have Jameill Showers or Johnny Manziel sling the football all over the field.

Defense will still rule the day, but with all of the quarterback talent in the conference in 2012, SEC offenses could make a resurgence in 2012.

I, for one, can't wait to see it. 

Good football is good football, whether it be a 9-6 field-goal fest between Alabama and LSU or a 67-56 Alamo Bowl shootout.

Seeing quarterbacks of this caliber going up against loaded SEC defenses all year long will make the 2012 season a lot of fun to watch.

Follow @BarrettSallee