New starting QBs abound in SEC this season

HOOVER, Ala. (AP) -Steve Spurrier hopes Tommy Beecher can shut South Carolina's revolving door at quarterback. Auburn's Tommy Tuberville isn't used to having a full-fledged quarterback competition heading into August.

Outside of Florida with Tim Tebow and Georgia with Matthew Stafford, it's a common issue facing Southeastern Conference coaches these days. At least seven are either seeking a No. 1 quarterback, or preparing to start a new one.

Spurrier proclaimed Beecher the starter after spring practice and said Friday at SEC media days that he has told the junior that he doesn't need to worry about getting yanked for throwing an interception or two.

He doesn't want to keep constantly wondering, "Who's the quarterback?"

"We're tired of that and I'm tired of it," said Spurrier, who started both Chris Smelley and now-departed Blake Mitchell at times last season. "It's time to get one of those guys."

Tuberville's quarterback remains TBA. Sophomore Kodi Burns and junior college transfer Chris Todd are vying to replace three-year starter Brandon Cox.

"I wouldn't be surprised at all if Chris Todd is not our starting quarterback," Tuberville said. "Kodi would be as of today, but Chris has worked very hard."

Despite that unsettled position, the Tigers were picked by reporters covering the league to win the SEC Western Division over defending national champion LSU. The Tigers lost their presumed starter when coach Les Miles booted Ryan Perrilloux from the team, creating a race between Harvard transfer Andrew Hatch and redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee.

"Our quarterback situation is up in the air," Tuberville said. "Theirs is more up in the air because of losing Perrilloux."

Kentucky also has an ongoing race to replace Andre' Woodson, between sophomore Mike Hartline and junior Curtis Pulley. Mackenzi Adams and Chris Nickson are trying to claim the job at Vanderbilt.

Mississippi and Tennessee will also have new starters, but there's less uncertainty.

Junior Jonathan Crompton, who has made one career start, is expected to replace Erik Ainge for the Volunteers. He does have some backfield help in preseason All-SEC tailback Arian Foster and his backup Monterio Hardesty.

"We don't want to put it all on Crompton," Foster said. "We both want to aid him in his maturation process and try to help him grow as a quarterback. It's good to have a couple of running backs back there that know what they're doing and know what's going on."