No. 1 -- Who will start at QB? It’s easily the biggest question headed into the SEC. Four underclassmen are fighting for the job, and the early leader is sophomore Jameill Showers, Ryan Tannehill’s backup last season. OC Kliff Kingsbury declined to name a starter or even leader, however, following spring drills. “We want this summer to be part of the competition,” Kingsbury said. “They all made strides, but in 15 practices I can’t see enough to make a decision.” No. 2 -- Will the defense successfully transition to the 4-3? Early indications are A&M has a long way to go in a hurry if it wants to be respectable on defense in its first year in the SEC. A big problem is the lack of quality DL, with the undersized DE Damontre Moore (a converted OLB) the only potential all-conference candidate in the bunch. That’s not good, especially when you’re converting from a 3-4 to a 4-3, the latter what new DC Mark Snyder dubbed a “perfect fit” for the SEC. No. 3 -- How will Sumlin handle the pressure of the SEC? Kevin Sumlin is still unproven in a power league as the head man. Certainly, he learned for five seasons under one of the best in Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops, but the last four seasons in C-USA as Houston’s head coach (when he compiled a 35-17 record) are a far cry from the SEC. The powerful conference is brand new for everyone at A&M – including the new coach. For his part, Sumlin said anyone who is afraid of competing in the SEC needs to “get a dog.”
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