SEC Football: Spring game explosion with 10 games
By Ronald Evans
In the next 72 hours, spring football will end for nine SEC football teams. In addition, soon-to-be SEC member, Texas will have its spring game as well. Vanderbilt, Auburn and Missouri have already had their spring games. Kentucky is choosing to not have one, due to the turf being replaced at Kroger Field.
All the SEC spring games are available on ESPN+ or SEC Network+. Georgia’s spring game is scheduled for ESPN 2. A full list of this weekend’s games is provided below.
Most spring games are not much more than public practices, with sensible rules to lessen the risk of injuries.
Though it may not draw the attention of most SEC football fans, the Mississippi State game could be more interesting than the others. New Bulldogs’ head coach, Zach Arnett hired Kevin Barbay as Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks coach. Barbay inherits the most experienced quarterback in the SEC, senior Will Rogers.
Rogers prospered under the leadership of Mike Leach. Leach’s QB-friendly offense was a great fit for Rogers, who has passed for 10,689 yards in his career. Barbay brings a new offensive system to Starkville.
The main draw of spring games for many SEC fans is quarterback competitions. SEC football teams have more unsettled QB rooms than settled ones. Auburn came out of its spring game, with Hugh Freeze showing strong signs of adding a transfer QB, rather than sticking with Robby Ashford or T.J. Finley.
The Ole Miss QB competition is wide open between Spener Sanders, Jaxson Dart and Walker Howard.
Billy Napier hopes transfer Graham Mertz is the Gators’ QB1 answer. A similar situation exists in Lexington with transfer Devin Leary. The Aggies think they have their starting QB in Conner Weigman, but with new OC, Bobby Petrino, there is a competition. Carson Beck will likely replace Stetson Bennett at Georgia, but Kirby Smart has not ruled out Brock Vandagriff or Gunner Stockton. Tennessee fans are hoping Joe Milton can continue where Hendon Hooker left off last season, but not without some doubts.
Then there is the Alabama Crimson Tide. Nick Saban and Tommy Rees have no clear leader for QB1. Based on reviews by Saban, there is growing optimism among Alabama fans that the Crimson Tide can win with either guy.
There is also a QB1 battle at the ‘other’ SEC team, Texas. Logically, the more experienced quarterback, Quinn Ewers should have a decided advantage. Despite that, many Longhorns’ fans are so hyped over Arch Manning, Sarkisian picking Ewers will disappoint.
SEC Football: Remaining Spring Games
Note: All times are C.S.T.
- Apr. 13 – 6:30 PM – Florida Gators
- Apr. 15 – 12 noon- Arkansas Razorbacks and Mississippi State Bulldogs
- Apr. 15 – 1:30 PM – Tennessee Vols
- Apr. 15 – 2:00 PM – Ole Miss Rebels
- Apr. 15 – 3:00 PM – Georgia Bulldogs and Texas A&M Aggies
- Apr. 15 – 6:00 PM – South Carolina Gamecocks
- Apr. 22 – 1:00 PM – LSU Bengal Tigers
- Apr. 22 – 2:00 PM – Alabama Crimson Tide
- Also on Apr. 15 – 1:00 PM – Texas Longhorns
SEC football fans hoping for QB1 finality will not find much from spring games. Certainly, the next starting quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide will not be determined by the A-Day game.