Overreaction or fair take? Applying truth test to SEC spring football narratives | Toppmeyer
Spring football is a time ripe for overreactions and misguided takes. As the SEC's remaining spring games approach this weekend, let's visit some spring narratives and apply my truth-o-meter to these takes.
The take: Carson Beck will be Georgia's starting quarterback, and Brock Vandagriff will transfer.
My reaction: The first part is a fair take. I’m unsure about the second part.
Beck enjoyed the pole position to replace Stetson Bennett IV, and he solidified his standing this spring. Vandagriff also played well in the spring game, but Beck was aces. Few quarterbacks want to be a backup in the transfer era, but transferring during this portal window would require that Vandagriff exit the SEC to gain immediate eligibility. He’ll have two seasons of eligibility left after this season. Remaining at Georgia and re-evaluating in December may be the smarter play.
The take: Alabama’s solution at quarterback will come via the transfer portal.
My reaction: I’m skeptical of this.
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Neither Jalen Milroe nor Ty Simpson has seized control in the competition to replace Bryce Young, but I question whether the portal, which closes to new entries in May, will offer a savior. Quarterbacks transferring in this spring mostly will be guys who didn’t win the job at their last school. Would a former backup from a non-SEC school be an upgrade for Alabama? A transfer quarterback becoming Alabama’s starter would be unprecedented for Nick Saban. His choice is likelier to come from within, flawed though the options may be.
The take: Auburn’s solution at quarterback will come via the transfer portal.
My reaction: I’m skeptical of this.
Hugh Freeze seems eager to upgrade his quarterback options, but as noted with Alabama, not many a A-list quarterbacks are expected to sprint toward the portal in these next 10 days. If a quarterback with Power Five starting experience eyes Auburn, Freeze should welcome him, but after failing to secure a transfer quarterback last the winter, in-house Robby Ashford became the best bet for the job.
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The take: Florida’s offense is a mess.
My reaction: Fair take.
The lowest-scoring spring game in Florida history reaffirmed concerns about the Gators’ offense. UF is hamstrung by a quarterback situation that ranks among the SEC's bleakest. If Florida improves in Year 2 under Billy Napier, it will need to be fueled by Austin Armstrong’s defense.
The take: Ole Miss' transfer quarterbacks elevate the Rebels' ceiling.
My reaction: I’m skeptical of this.
Securing transfers Spencer Sanders and Walker Howard enhanced Ole Miss' depth quality, but I question whether either elevates the offense's potential much, as compared to incumbent starter Jaxson Dart. The competition remains unsettled and may not be settled until after the season begins. But the avenue toward improvement rests with improving on defense, where new coordinator Pete Golding pivoted Ole Miss to a 4-2-5 scheme.
The take: Spencer Rattler is ready to put it all together.
My reaction: I’m not quite there on this one.
Rattler should rank among the top half of SEC quarterbacks, but how about in the top three? That would require more consistency than he’s shown previously, and it also would require South Carolina’s bugaboo offensive line to solidify. Past performance is often a good indicator of future production, and Rattler’s lengthy college career points to an exciting, talented performer prone to some bad stretches.
The take: Shifting away from “Air Raid” will boost Mississippi State.
My reaction: I’m skeptical of this.
MSU fans had to love Will Rogers’ 55-yard deep ball to Zavion Thomas in the spring game. Explosive plays and run-pass balance were missing from the “Air Raid.” But, Mike Leach’s offense gave the Bulldogs an identity that meshed with Rogers’ skillset and his background operating the system. New coaches cannot afford to waste time implementing changes, and Zach Arnett embraced evolution, but I expect more than a few offensive hiccups and for MSU to become even more reliant on its defense.
The take: Tennessee’s offense won’t skip a beat behind quarterback Joe Milton.
My reaction: Close, but not quite.
My concern doesn’t center exclusively on Milton. He'll keep Josh Heupel’s offense humming. Will he be Hendon Hooker 2.0? No, that’s too tall an order. Also, don’t ignore the significance of losing big-play wide receiver Jalin Hyatt and dependable offensive tackle Darnell Wright. The Vols will remain explosive, but 46.1 points per game explosive? No.
The take: Bobby Petrino will solve Texas A&M’s offense.
My reaction: I somewhat agree.
Petrino should freshen the Aggies’ offense while freeing coach Jimbo Fisher to emerge from the play-calling trench and be the CEO his job requires. Fisher, with his Texas-sized ego, working with the cantankerous Petrino is a tricky union, but I’m bullish on the potential upside. My bigger question: What’s the ceiling for quarterback Conner Weigman? My jury remains out after his inconsistent freshman season. A coordinator’s offense only can soar as high as the quarterback takes it.
Blake Toppmeyer is an SEC Columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: SEC spring football takes evaluated, including Alabama, Georgia QBs
