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It’s been debated all spring and summer.
Which teams in the SEC have the best quarterbacks? Which teams in the SEC have the best running backs?
RELATED: Ranking the SEC running backs for 2017
RELATED: Where SEC QBs rank among all FBS signal-callers
Now, we’re going to put those groups together and considering how the 14 SEC backfields stack up:
14. Tennessee
The Volunteers must find a replacement at quarterback for Joshua Dobbs, who led the team in both passing and rushing yards last season. While John Kelly returns at running back and has shown flashes of success, he only had 98 carries last season. They could certainly move up on this list if things work out, but for now they’re on the bottom.
13. Florida
The addition of Notre Dame graduate transfer Malik Zaire was supposed to solve the Gators’ continuing quarterback issues. But with the season opener less than a week away, it still seems uncertain who will be receiving the majority of snaps.
Florida’s top three rushers from last season all return, including junior Jordan Scarlett (889 rushing yards). However, Florida ranked last in the SEC in rushing last season (128.3 YPG). In fact, the Gators have finished last or next to last in the SEC in rushing in three of the past four seasons.
12. Kentucky
Returning quarterback Stephen Johnson opened everyone’s eyes with a 338-yard, three-touchdown passing performance in last season’s win over Louisville. But it’s also worth noting that Johnson twice threw for under 100 yards and twice completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes. The Wildcats do get a 1,000-yard rusher back in sophomore Benny Snell, who was tied for third in the SEC with 13 rushing touchdowns.
11. Ole Miss
As a true freshman last season, Shea Patterson averaged nearly 300 passing yards (293.3) in three starts at quarterback, giving Rebels fans reason to feel optimistic following the loss of Chad Kelly. The Rebels ranked 12th in the SEC in rushing offense last season, but do get senior Jordan Wilkins back at running back. Wilkins missed all of last season after being declared academically ineligible. For his career, Wilkins averages 6.0 yards per carry.
10. Vanderbilt
Kyle Shurmur returns at quarterback after throwing for 2,409 yards last season, including 416 in a win over Tennessee. However, Shurmur had more interceptions (10) than TD passes (9). Senior running back Ralph Webb enters this season as Vanderbilt’s career rushing leader. Backup running back Khari Blasingame rushed for 10 TDs last season.
9. Texas A&M
The Aggies have issues at quarterback, having to decide from among Jake Hubenak, Nick Starkel and Kellen Mond. But Texas A&M has one of the best running backs in the conference in Trayveon Williams (above). As a true freshman last season, Williams rushed for 1,057 yards and 8 touchdowns. Senior Keith Ford (669 yards) is a quality backup.
8. Mississippi State
The Bulldogs have arguably the best quarterback in the SEC in Nick Fitzgerald. In his first season as a starter, Fitzgerald led the SEC in total offense (3,798 yards) and rushing TDs (16). Fitzgerald also is the top returning rusher for the Bulldogs. At running back, Aeris Williams ran for 720 yards last season, including 191 in a win over Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl.
7. South Carolina
Jake Bentley’s performance in the Birmingham Bowl against South Florida (390 passing yards, 3 TDs) has Gamecocks fans excited for this season. Another freshman last season, running back Rico Dowdle, led the team in rushing with 764 yards in just nine games. Still another freshman last season, running back A.J. Turner, rushed for 497 yards.
6. Missouri
Quarterback Drew Lock was second in the SEC in passing yards last season (3,399) and tied for third in TD passes (23). As a true freshman, Damarea Crockett was one of five running backs in the SEC to have 1,000 yards rushing and 10 TDs last season. Over his last six games, Crockett averaged 136.2 rushing yards and scored seven touchdowns. Backup Ish Witter rushed for 750 yards in 2016.
5. Arkansas
In his first season as a starter, Austin Allen led the SEC in passing yards (3,430) and was second in the conference with 25 TD passes. The retirement of Rawleigh Williams III this past Spring opens the door for Devwah Whaley, who rushed for 602 yards as a freshman last season.
4. LSU
The Tigers return both their starting quarterback (Danny Etling) and leading rusher (Derius Guice). Etling took over as the starting quarterback and averaged 211.3 passing yards over his final eight games. Guice led the SEC in rushing yards (1,387) and was second in rushing TDs (15).
3. Auburn
Baylor transfer Jarrett Stidham is the new starting quarterback for the Tigers, and expectations are high. As a true freshman in 2015, Stidham started three games and averaged 311.3 passing YPG. At running back, Kamryn Pettway led the SEC in rushing YPG (122.4) and Kerryon Johnson ran for nearly 900 yards (895) and 11 TDs.
2. Georgia
If quarterback Jacob Eason can improve on his freshman season, this backfield could wind up being the best in the SEC by season’s end. That’s because with Nick Chubb (1,130 yards) and Sony Michel (840 yards), the Bulldogs have arguably the best running back duo in the SEC.
1. Alabama
This is pretty much a no-brainer. The Crimson Tide have the reigning SEC Offensive Player of the Year in quarterback Jalen Hurts, and two of the best running backs in the conference in Bo Scarbrough (812 yards) and Damien Harris (1,037 yards).
Michael covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
