College Footbal Predictions 2011: Who Will Be the Best QB in the SEC?
Every season there is a plethora of talent in the SEC, which is considered by most to be the best conference in college football.
The quarterback position is the most important on the field, so when you look at the most dominant conference, you expect to see talent under center.
Last season the SEC had Cam Newton, Ryan Mallett and Greg McElroy leading three of the better teams in the country.
Now all three are in the NFL.
Out of the 12 schools in the SEC, only six return starters from last year.
So which quarterback is now the best in the conference?
Here is a look at all the quarterbacks who will likely start in the SEC next season.
12. Larry Smith (Vanderbilt)
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I would be willing to bet that Vanderbilt really misses Jay Cutler.
Last season the Commodores were the worst team in the SEC, finishing with a record of 2-10.
Much of that falls on the pathetic excuse of a passing game. The team ranked 105th in the NCAA in passing yards per game.
They totaled 11 passing touchdowns last season. Larry Smith threw six of them.
It was ugly last year. When the team faced Arkansas in week eight, they managed a total of 36 passing yards.
11. Barrett Trotter (Auburn)
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Taking over the spot that Cam Newton filled a year before is likely a position nobody wants to be in.
However, that responsibility will fall on Barrett Trotter.
Not much is known about Trotter at this point. He was the No.46 ranked quarterback in the 2008 class by Scout. He was ranked No.82 at quarterback by ESPN.
The extent of his collegiate career was nine total passes last season. The good news for Auburn fans is that he completed six of them for 64 yards.
That's not too shabby.
10. Barry Brunetti (Mississippi)
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Jeremiah Masoli has graduated and Nathan Stanley is no longer with Ole Miss.
This leaves the opening for transfer Barry Brunetti to take over for the Rebels.
He haven't seen what Brunetti can do yet at this level, but he was a force in prep school.
He completed 240 passes for 3,882 yards and 43 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,660 yards and 39 touchdowns.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
9. Chris Relf (Mississippi State)
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Mississippi State actually put together a great season in 2010. They finished with a 9-4 record, better than the Florida Gators.
However, the Bulldogs are primarily a running football team.
Quarterback Chris Relf was efficient when he was asked to throw, but there wasn't anything eye popping about his performance.
He actually ran the ball almost as many times as he threw it, although he wasn't overly impressive in that category either.
It's even possible that Relf loses the starting position to sophomore Tyler Russell at some point in the 2011 season.
8. John Brantley (Florida)
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John Brantley was the primary starter for the Florida Gators last season.
Chances are, he could lose the spot by the start of 2011. The reason he is on this list instead of another Florida quarterback, is because it's unclear who that guy will be.
It could be Jordan Reed, Tyler Murphy or Jeff Driskell.
Driskell appears to be the No.1 option if it's not Brantley, but it's still unknown.
The Gators should go with Driskell. If they did, he would be ranked higher on this list than 10th.
Brantley was average at best last season. He threw nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Gators fans may have been spoiled with Tim Tebow, but the drop off to Brantley was not what they expected.
7. Jordan Jefferson (LSU)
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The LSU Tigers have a very good football team. They are towards the top of the list for teams that could make a run at the National Championship this year.
It would be a much easier task if they had a better quarterback.
I'm simply not a believer in Jordan Jefferson. He was average in 2009 and then fell apart in 2010.
Excluding his performance in the Cotton Bowl, Jefferson threw just four touchdowns to nine interceptions last season.
Personally, I feel the Tigers have a better chance of winning with Jarrett Lee under center.
Jefferson did look good in the Tigers' Bowl Game. Maybe it's a sign that he has gotten things back on track.
6. Morgan Newton (Kentucky)
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There is a new Newton playing in the SEC, and he will be starting for the Kentucky Wildcats.
Last season, during the layoff between the regular season and Bowl Games, Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline was arrested for alcohol intoxication and disorderly conduct.
He was suspended for the BBVA Compass Bowl, so Morgan Newton got the start.
Kentucky lost the game 27-10 against Pittsburgh, but Newton had a solid performance for his first ever start.
He completed 21-of-36 passes for 211 yards. He did, however, fail to throw a touchdown.
It was a solid showing nonetheless. Newton could be a solid player for the Wildcats over the next two seasons.
5. Connor Shaw (South Carolina)
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With Stephen Garcia currently suspended indefinitely by South Carolina, it means that Connor Shaw will be the starting his sophomore season.
I wouldn't be too concerned Gamecock fans, Shaw showed some signs of being a great quarterback during limited play last season.
He completed 23-of-33 passes 223 yards. He did throw only one touchdown and two interceptions.
However, it appears that Shaw could have a very bright future.
If he does end up starting, he will have Alshon Jeffery to throw to. That's never a bad thing.
(Note: Garcia will likely have his suspension lifted and will start in 2011. However, since he is currently still "officially" suspended he was left off this list.)
4. A.J. McCarron (Alabama)
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How is it that Alabama always seems to have so much depth on their team?
Mark Ingram is replaced by Trent Richardson. Greg McElroy is replaced by A.J. McCarron.
Scout rated McCarron the No.7 quarterback in the 2009 class.
During his time on the field last season, McCarron looked like a fantastic player.
He completed 30-of-48 pass attempts for 389 yards. He also threw three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Like all Alabama quarterbacks, McCarron will likely just be asked to manage the game. From what we have seen he has the skill set to that and then some.
3. Tyler Wilson (Arkansas)
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Talk about getting thrown to the Tigers. That's exactly what Tyler Wilson experienced in 2010.
Auburn may not have the toughest defense, but they were still the best team in the nation. Wilson was thrown in after an injury to Ryan Mallett in the team's week six game against the Tigers.
Arkansas lost the game, but Wilson gave it everything he had. The final score was a sensational 65-43.
Wilson threw for 332 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.
Wilson will be asked to lead the Razorback offense in 2011. It should be fun to see how he does replacing Mallett.
2. Tyler Bray (Tennessee)
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The Tennessee Volunteers started the 2010 season 2-6. Then, quarterback Matt Simms was replaced by true freshman Tyler Bray.
In his first start, Bray threw for 325 yards and five touchdowns.
The Volunteers won the final four games of the season with Bray at quarterback. They just fell short of beating North Carolina in the Music City Bowl.
Bray struggled a little with consistency, but you would expect as much from a true freshman quarterback.
This kid has the tools to become an elite quarterback in college football.
The last elite quarterback Tennessee had was Peyton Manning.
1. Aaron Murray (Georgia)
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Aaron Murray was ESPN's No.13 ranked overall recruit in the nation in the class of 2009.
He showed why he was given that ranking last season as a redshirt freshman.
Murray threw for 3,049 yards, 24 touchdowns and just eight interceptions during his first year as a starter.
He matched Georgia's single season record for total touchdowns with 28.
He will likely shatter that record in 2011.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
