The countdown to the 2016 college football season will continue this week with the SEC East media days providing another glimpse in to what to expect both on and off the field this coming season. Here is a look at the key question that each team from the SEC East will have to answer in 2016.
Florida: Will Key Offensive Pieces Be Available?
Star wide receiver Antonio Callaway and quarterback Treon Harris were suspended by the team in January and didn’t take part in spring practice. Harris’ subtraction won’t matter as much if the Gators get some quality quarterback play but Callaway will be a key piece that Florida cannot afford to lose this season.
Georgia: How Will Chubb Fare In His Return?
There has been a lot of talk about whether or not star running back Nick Chubb will be ready for the start of the season but no definitive answers from the coaching staff. Chubb has worked hard to return from a devastating knee injury that sidelined him for nearly all of last year and all eyes will be on him to see how he fares in his return. He was one of the SEC running backs that was in the running for the Heisman Trophy last season before he succumbed to his injury. If he still has his burst and skills, he returns to a stronger team, which could mean he’ll be back in the running.
Kentucky: Will Offensive Coordinator Change Pay Off?
Kentucky will transition to its third offensive coordinator in as many years with Eddie Gran taking over but there won’t be a lot of continuity on that side of the football so the change might not pay off right away. The Wildcats are hoping for at least a modest improvement on that side of the football but there are no guarantees.
Missouri: What Will Life Without Pinkel Be Like?
SEC East team Missouri is undergoing substantial changes this season without head coach Gary Pinkel. While Barry Odom is very familiar with this group, there are no guarantees it will mean success. The Tigers were a disaster last season when they posted a 1-7 mark in SEC play and they will face an uphill climb in 2016. We’ll see if Odom can keep this team together or whether the Tigers are heading for a long rebuilding process.
South Carolina: Who Will Start At Quarterback?
Freshman Brandon McIlwain was crowned as the eventual starter this spring but there is no guarantee that he remains the No. 1 quarterback this season. Former starter Connor Mitch transferred and that has left Perry Orth, Lorenzo Nunez and Jake Bentley to push McIlwain for the starting job. Each of those passers has his own strengths and flaws, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Gamecocks had multiple different starters at the position in 2016. This position has been one of the team’s Achilles heels in recent seasons. We’ll see if new head coach Will Muschamp can solve it.
Tennessee: Is Defensive Tackle Depth Strong Enough?
The Vols are expected to contend for an SEC East division and conference championship this season thanks in large part to the returning talent they have on both sides of the football. However, one area of need is at the defensive tackle spot where Tennessee will rely heavily on sophomore Kahlil Mackenzie, Kendal Vickers and Danny O’Brien. Vickers and O’Brien are experienced but it’s Mackenzie who is expected to have the biggest impact as the most talented player in that group. The Vols are deep in a number of areas but defensive tackle isn’t one of them so they will need their top trio to step up and perform at a high level this season.
Vanderbilt: Has Shurmer Progressed Enough To Thrive At QB?
Derek Mason has talked a lot about his team’s potential to be a much better team in 2016 but for that to happen they will need freshman quarterback Kyle Shurmur to perform at a high level. The Philadelphia-native has all of the tools to succeed at the college level but the Commodores will need their skill position players to step up and perform at a high level in order to help Shurmer reach his potential in the SEC East.
