SEC Football-Evaluating The Top 5 QB's in the Conference

The most dominant conference in college football will have to say goodbye to some of the best quarterbacks in college football history. AJ McCarron and Connor Shaw both completed their college careers as the winningest quarterbacks in their school’s history. Aaron Murray finished as the SEC’s all-time passing yards and passing touchdowns leader. Not to mention this guy named Johnny Manziel that broke a couple of records before he left for the NFL.

It is hard to recall a time when so many great quarterbacks all played at the same time in the same conference. Even with the departure of these players, the SEC is still loaded (of course) with some of the best quarterbacks in the country.

Those that have returned will find themselves not only competing to take their team to the SEC Championship, but also try to become one of the 4 teams selected in the new playoff system. Of course, some of these quarterbacks are just trying to make a bowl game.

The season may still be two months away, but that just allows more time to study the top players in the country. Here is a close look at the top 5 returning quarterbacks in the SEC:

5. Maty Mauk- Missouri

Missouri’s hopes of making it to the SEC Championship were all but lost when starting quarterback James Franklin injured his shoulder after a 6-0 start.  Freshman Maty Mauk stepped in without missing a beat and led the Tigers to a 36-17 victory over Florida. In the four games Mauk started, he threw 10 touchdown passes to just two interceptions. He also picked up vital yards on the ground including 114 rushing yards against Tennessee.

Mauk has great arm strength and accuracy that will be even better this season. The dismissal of Missouri’s best wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham gives Mauk fewer experienced targets to throw to. He can pick up extra yards by running the ball, but he needs to become more patient in the pocket and give his receivers time to get open. If his patience improves it will make him even better and he still has at least two more years. Mauk’s return is a huge for a team that lost a lot of talent from last season. The more experience he gains, the better he will be. Mauk may become the best quarterback at Missouri since Chase Daniel.

4. Dylan Thompson- South Carolina

Dylan Thompson finally gets an opportunity to be the starting quarterback for South Carolina. Thompson arguably has the most experience of any second string quarterback in the conference. Do not be mistaken; the loss of Connor Shaw is a huge blow. It should reassure Gamecock fans that Thompson started in a win over UCF, which was the Knights only loss. He also led South Carolina to a victory over Michigan in the Outback Bowl two years ago.

He shares many traits with that of Connor Shaw. Both can scramble out of the pocket to pick up extra yards and both players are not afraid to take a hit. Thompson needs to work on his accuracy, which was subpar even in his best performances. He still has not proven he handle the pressure of being in big time situations. The good news is he will be working with a very experienced offensive line to protect him as well as a solid running back in Mike Davis to take some of the pressure off. If his accuracy improves, it will be like Connor Shaw never left.

3. Dak Prescott- Mississippi State

One of the best returning quarterbacks in the SEC hails from a school that is consistently in the bottom half of the SEC West. Dak Prescott did not put up amazing numbers last season. He did; however, finish strong and now many people are calling him a “dark horse” Heisman contender. One of those strong finishes includes a win over in-state rival Ole Miss in the annual Egg Bowl. He also had strong showings in close losses to Auburn and Texas A&M.

One thing Prescott must work on is his consistency. While he did lead some nice comeback attempts in big games, he struggled on his accuracy. He finished last season with 10 touchdown passes and 7 interceptions. His running ability is there according to his 13 rushing touchdowns in only 11 games. The Bulldogs return a solid group of receivers in Jameon Lewis and Robert Johnson for Prescott to throw to this season, and if his passing improves, he will thrive in Dan Mullen’s offense. Prescott is the best quarterback in the Mullen era at Mississippi State so expectations will be higher than usual.

2. Bo Wallace- Ole Miss

The most experienced returning quarterback in the SEC is Bo Wallace. Wallace is the SEC’s leading returning passer and is getting better and better in Hugh Freeze’s offense. He struggled at times last season, but his 346 passing yards in an upset win over a tough LSU defense solidifies what he is capable of doing on a week to week basis. He may still have a little makeup work to do after his poor performance against rival Mississippi State where he threw a season high 3 interceptions.

Wallace has the experience and the talent needed to strive in this offense. Both his accuracy and arm strength have steadily improved so there is no problem in that category. The problem this year will be the lack of experience around him. The Rebels only return one starter from last year’s offensive line. Wide receiver Donte Moncrief is gone, but Laquon Treadwell returns so he should not struggle finding open receivers. Even with minimal experience, Ole Miss is in good position to make a push in the West. Bo Wallace’s talent and leadership will play a huge role in determining how far the Rebels will go this season.

1. Nick Marshall- Auburn

Auburn shocked the nation by running the table and making it all the way to the BCS National Championship. A huge part of that success (besides Gus Malzahn) was Nick Marshall. Marshall got better and better each week in Malzahn’s potent hurry-up offense. He is known primarily for his running abilities and he is the active leader in rushing yards amongst SEC quarterbacks with 1,068 yards, but his passing game will be the focus of this season.

It has been reported that Marshall has improved both his arm strength and accuracy. This is a scary thought for his future competitors. Malzahn’s offense is hard enough to stop, but it will be especially difficult to defend against a great all-around quarterback like Marshall. If reports are true, it should give him more passing opportunites (Marshall had 4 games where he passed less than 100 yards). Even more good news for the Tigers is the return of four starters from last year’s offensive line and his favorite receiver Sammie Coates. If Marshall can stay healthy, he will be a serious Heisman contender.

US Open: 5 Golfers That Will Be in The Hunt This Weekend

Golf fans gather around. One of the most difficult tournaments in all of golf takes place for the third time at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina. The US Open allows an opportunity for non-professional golfers to play in a Major if they make it through local and sectional qualifying. Unfortunately, the last golfer to make through both stages of qualifying and win the US Open was Orville Moody in 1969.

Statistically, a professional golfer will win one of the best tournaments in golf. It is extremely difficult to predict exactly who will rise above the field of 156 golfers. All the big names in golf will be there (except for Tiger Woods) along with a few players who will be playing in their first Major.

If you are not familiar with the golf or the professionals that play it, here is your guide on who to watch for this weekend:

Bubba Watson
It would not be a complete list without Bubba Watson's name on it. He is most known for his win at the Masters earlier this year, but his 8 top 25 finishes in 11 events is worth noting. No golfer can hit it as far as Watson which gives him an edge over most golfers in the field. Watson is in his prime and is in position to not only win the US open, but pursue the Grand Slam of golf.

Jordan Spieth
There may not be a golfer on the PGA Tour that is as talented as Jordan Spieth. The 20 year old is already 10th in the World Golf Rankings and finished 2nd in his first Masters appearance this season. Spieth is listed as favorite by many publications and for good reason. He is hungry for a Major after his close finish at the Masters. Regardless, Spieth has a bright future and is the next big star on the Tour.

Jim Furyk 
Jim Furyk has tasted victory 16 times in over a 20 year career on the PGA Tour. One of those victories includes a US Open in 2003. Furyk has not won on the Tour since his 2010 although he is having one of his best starts yet. He has made the cut in every event he has played including two 2nd place finishes. Watch out for Furyk to make a run up the leaderboard this weekend.

Matt Kuchar
Matt Kuchar remains one of the most consistent players on Tour that has not yet won a Major. Kuchar needs to always be mentioned as a favorite to win any tournament due to his consistent playing. He already has a win this season at the RBC Heritage Tournament, and do not be surprised if he sneaks out his first Major victory.

Jason Dufner
Jason Dufner may very well be the darkhorse contender in this year's US Open. He has not played up to his potential after winning last year's PGA Championship. Dufner has finished in the top 5 the last two years at the US Open and can make some noise with another Major victory. He is regaining his consistency that started with a 2nd place finish at the Crowne Plaza Invitational. Dufner is a proven winner on Tour, but he is still a sleeper in this year's US Open.

2014 Preseason SEC Breakdown: Who Will Rise To The Challenge?

After 7 consecutive years of trying (including one year where it was impossible), a team from outside the SEC won a national championship. Florida State, lead by quarterback Jameis Winston, scored late in the fourth quarter to help seal a 34-31 victory over Auburn. The Tigers must still be applauded in their effort to keep the SEC streak alive. Head coach Gus Malzahn took his team from 0-8 in conference play in the previous season to the SEC Championship in his first season at the helm.

This season brings the first year of the newly developed 4-team playoff system. A 13 member committee will be in charge of deciding which four teams make it to the two semifinal games. The SEC could have multiple representatives in the playoff each year due to the conference's dominance over the rest of college football. The concern over conference opponents beating each other up is not as significant because of the new playoff system. So only one question remains: Who will rise to the challenge?

Western Division

1. Alabama
Surprise, Surprise. Alabama has made is to the top of another preseason ranking, but for good reason. The Crimson Tide are on the fast track to win a national championship this year behind the running back trio of TJ Yeldon, Kenyan Drake, and Derrick Henry. Quarterback AJ McCarron leaves behind the largest void. It is still unclear who will replace McCarron, but all signs point to Florida State transfer Jacob Coker. The receiving corps of Amari Cooper, Christion Jones, DeAndrew White, and Chris Black will give make any starting quarterback's job a little easier. Defensively, the secondary has some rebuilding to do after losing 4 starters. The defensive line will be one of the best in the Saban era with the additions of Jarran Reed and DJ Pettway. Alabama has a favorable schedule with most of their tough games being at home except for an early November visit to Tiger Stadium to take on LSU. When the Tide starts rolling, they are hard to stop.

2. Auburn
Gus Malzahn put together one of the greatest comeback seasons of any team in college football history. Malzahn's hurry up offense was potent against the best defenses in the country. Unlike last season, Auburn will need to find more ways to win besides the usual once in a lifetime miracles (if you are a fan of the Tigers and have a pre-existing heart condition, you may want to consider choosing a new favorite team). On offense, quarterback Nick Marshall and his best receiver Sammie Coates return along with 4 starters from last year's offensive line. Auburn is stacked on the defensive line despite losing Dee Ford, but the secondary will struggle this season. The biggest task will be overcoming road games at Kansas State (a trap game), Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Georgia, and Alabama. October 4th game against LSU will be a major component in deciding who finishes higher. South Carolina also comes to the Plains.

3. LSU
LSU, like Alabama, consistently finds their way to the top of the SEC rankings. That is exactly why last season's 10-3 record did not meet the high expectations of Tiger fans. It was the first time since 2009 that the Tigers lost three conference games in a season. The Tigers arguably lost more offensive firepower than any other team in the SEC. LSU must replace quarterback Zach Mettenberger and star wide receivers Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr. Four starters from last year's offensive line return to try to spark a breakout season for freshman running back Leonard Fournette. Projected starting quarterback Brandon Harris will have to step up in big time situations. The defense will remain one of the best in the country with 7 returning starters. Road games at The Swamp and Jordan Hare will be difficult, but the Tigers have the capability of winning the West and making it to Atlanta. An opening game against Wisconsin will set the tone for the rest of the season.

4. Ole Miss
The Ole Miss Rebels have all the mechanics to finally make a run at an SEC Championship. It was not easy, but Ole Miss has established themselves as the team to not underestimate in the SEC West. The Rebels return quarterback Bo Wallace and wide receiver Laquon Treadwell. The problem lies on the offensive line where true sophomore tackle Laremy Tunsil will be the only lineman with any major experience. Fortunately, Freeze has rounded up some solid recruiting classes to help out up front. Ole Miss will continue to improve on defense with 9 returning starters including their leading tackler (Serderius Bryant) and their best defensive back (Cody Prewitt). Scheduling never falls in your favor when you are in the same conference as Alabama, Auburn, and LSU, but at least they get two out of three of those teams at home.

5. Texas A&M
No Johnny Manziel? Slight problem. The Aggies have quickly proven they are worthy of the mighty SEC, but this is not the year they finally win a conference championship. Kevin Sumlin has made Texas A&M a home for the top recruits in the country so we will consider this a slight setback. Along with Manziel, wide receiver Mike Evans, running back Ben Malena, and offensive tackle Jake Matthews have departed. The bulk of the offensive line returns, but Sumlin will have to rebuild the rest of the offense. It is still unknown who will get the nod at quarterback. True freshman Kyle Allen is the favorite to replace Manziel. Seven starters return to a defense that was one of the worst in the SEC last season. Projected defensive starters Darian Claiborne and Isaiah Golden were recently dismissed. Games at South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi State, and Auburn kill any hopes they have of making it to Atlanta. Sumlin will squeak out a few surprising wins.

6. Mississippi State
Mississippi State will be the sleeper team of the SEC. Despite this ranking, the Bulldogs have the potential to make a serious run that will include an upset over at least one of the Big 3 West teams (Alabama, Auburn, or LSU). The return of quarterback Dak Prescott was huge in deciding that this team would be a contender in the West division. Dan Mullen will have to reconstruct his offensive line after only returning two starters from last season. On the other side of the ball, The Bulldogs will bring back plenty of experience including defensive end Preston Smith. The defensive line may be the best in the conference this season. Mississippi State has the daunting task of traveling to LSU, Alabama, and Ole Miss. Regardless, expect this team to upset at least one big time conference opponent.

7. Arkansas
Arkansas athletic director Jake Long did a great job of hiring former Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema two years ago, but the program still has a long way to go. Good news: True freshman running back Alex Collins rushed for over 1,000 yards in his first season and will continue to do good things for the ground attack. Bad news: The passing game has taken a hit. Last season was the first time since 2006 that a quarterback passed for less than 1,600 yards (ironically 2006 was the last time Arkansas made it to an SEC Championship game). Only 4 starters return from a defense that was one of the worst in the conference last year. The Razorbacks have to play Georgia out of the East and will face Texas Tech and Northern Illinois in non-conference play. It looks like a third consecutive losing season for Bielema and the Hogs.

Eastern Division

1. Georgia
For the first time in four years, Georgia will have a quarterback not named Aaron Murray. The SEC's career passing yards leader has passed the torch to senior Hutson Mason. Mason is not a rookie. He has backed up Murray since 2010, and has enough experience to rally around the offensive talent that surrounds him. Georgia's duo of running backs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall (if Marshall can stay healthy) are arguably the best in college football. The biggest question for the Bulldogs is whether or not the offensive line is strong enough to open up holes for Gurley and Marshall. On defense, Mark Richt made the hire of the century by persuading FSU defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt to leave for Georgia after only one season with FSU. Pruitt will only be in his second season as a college defensive coordinator, but he gets to work with 9 returning starters (he only had 4 in his first season at FSU). The East should be decided early when the Bulldogs travel to Columbia to take on South Carolina on September 13th. Other than South Carolina and Florida, Georgia's toughest opponents will all travel to Athens. Watch out for the Dawgs.

2. South Carolina
The Gamecocks lose do-it-all defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and suddenly they are out of the race for the SEC. Steve Spurrier's coaching years are numbered and he is hungry for a championship. South Carolina has won at least 11 games in the last three seasons. They lose quarterback Connor Shaw, but bring back experienced Dylan Thompson and bruising running back Mike Davis. Wide receiver Bruce Ellington is also gone so they biggest issue on offense will find a new primary target. Life without Clowney on the defensive line will be tough, but a strong linebacker corps will make up the difference. Along with their usual East opponents, South Carolina has to play Auburn and Texas A&M out of the West. Their annual non-conference game against Clemson is just an added bonus. The Gamecocks have the talent, but can they handle the schedule? The East will come down between South Carolina and Georgia.

3. Florida
There may not be another team in SEC history that had more misfortunate events than Florida last season. The Gators were riddled with injuries last season including a season ending injury to quarterback Jeff Driskel. Will Muschamp needs a bounce back season to keep his rear end off the hot seat, and if he cannot do it with this team than he cannot do it with any team. Muschamp hired Duke offensive coordinator Kurt Roper to help speed up the offensive production. He will have Driskel and 6 returning starters to work with. The defense will be stout as always even with the losses of cornerbacks Loucheiz Purifoy and Marcus Roberson as well as defensive tackle Dominique Easley. Conference games are never easy for any SEC team, but facing the top two of the top three teams from the West in Alabama and LSU will be challenging. The Gators are in control of their own destiny.

4. Missouri
Who would have ever guessed that Missouri would make it to Atlanta before Texas A&M? The Tigers made an unlikely run to win the East division last season after going 5-7 in 2012. It does not seem like back-to-back SEC title appearances after losing most of their players on offense including an off-season dismissal of star wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham. On defense, cornerback EJ Gaines to the draft leaves the secondary with inexperience in a defense that is already vulnerable. The good news for Gary Pinkel's team is the return of Maty Mauk. Mauk could be the best quarterback in the SEC when it is all said and done. He will need more playmakers to step up if they want to win games at Florida, South Carolina, and Texas A&M as well as an offseason game against Central Florida. It is a rebuilding year for the Tigers.

5. Tennessee
Butch Jones is doing his best to make Tennessee a winning program again. Jones signed 32 players this off-season in an effort to increase the talent level in Knoxville. It will still be at least another year before the Vols start rolling. Tennessee does not return a single offensive or defensive linemen. Not. A. Single. One. Quarterback Justin Worley and wide receiver Marquez North return to help salvage the offense. They also return one of the best linebackers in the SEC in A.J. Johnson. Tennessee has to play Ole Miss and Alabama out of the West and travel to Norman to take on Oklahoma. Best case scenario: a 6 win season and a bowl invite for the first time since 2010. Just be patient Vol fans because Butch Jones is the right man for the job.

6. Vanderbilt
The James Franklin party is over. It was fun while it lasted, but sooner or later it had to end. Franklin should get credit for making Vanderbilt relevant in the SEC East and for improving the football program in Nashville. The Commodores were the only SEC team that had to make a new hire, and they made a great one in Derek Mason. Mason does not have a lot of talent to work with, but it is better than the mess Franklin inherited. A lot of young players will have to step up although they do return all of their offensive linemen. If Mason picks up where Franklin left off then Vanderbilt could make their third consecutive bowl appearance. Is it safe to say the Commodores are now the team to beat from the state of Tennessee?

7. Kentucky
Mark Stoops is trying his hardest to make Kentucky more than a "basketball school." He has recruited better than any Kentucky coach before him, and has encouraged improvement in the football facilities. He has the players, fans, and school excited. Now it is time produce some winning numbers. Unfortunately for Stoops, he needs a little while longer. The Wildcats will have a new quarterback and running back behind a weak offensive line. They return some talent on defense, but it is still not up to the same caliber as other defensive teams. The schedule is not terribly hard even though they travel to Baton Rouge to take on LSU out of the West. Expect the Wildcats to endure their fourth consecutive losing season.