There are two notable exceptions, but it’s unlikely that new Georgia defensive coordinator Mel Tucker will have too many sleepless nights this coming season as he specifically prepares for opposing quarterbacks.

The Dawgs will face the SEC’s top two signal-callers in consecutive weeks in Ole Miss’ Chad Kelly (Sept. 24) and Tennessee’s Joshua Dobbs (Oct. 1) for what could possibly be a defining stretch of the season. Kelly, a second-team all-conference pick last year, and Dobbs are the unquestioned top two returning quarterbacks in the SEC.

But Georgia should feel pretty good about its chances against the others they face. That’s because six of the Bulldogs’ 12 regular season opponents — North Carolina, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Florida, Kentucky and Louisiana-Lafayette – will be opening their seasons with different starting quarterbacks from from a year ago, with almost all of them boasting little or no experience.

Vanderbilt’s Kyle Shurmur started each of the five games in which he played as a true freshman in 2015 after unseating the ineffective Johnny McCrary. UK’s Drew Barker was a redshirt freshman when he replaced Patrick Towles and assumed the starting job late last season, but has just two career starts.

Two other coming UGA opponents – Missouri and Auburn – are returning quarterbacks who are coming off seasons that will hardly have opposing coaches quaking with fear.

Here’s a closer look at the four best quarterbacks Georgia will face in 2016.

1. Chad Kelly (Ole Miss): The nephew of NFL Hall of Famer Jim Kelly returned for his senior year after a memorable 2015 campaign that saw him pass for 4,042 yards and 31 touchdowns. He was named MVP of the Sugar Bowl after completing 21 of 33 passes for 302 yards and equaling a bowl record with four touchdowns. Kelly also rushed for a team-high 73 yards in pacing the Rebels to a decisive 48-20 win over Oklahoma State. He led the SEC in passing (310.9 ypg, 10th in the nation), total offense (349.4 ypg., 7th), passing touchdowns (31, 9th) and points responsible for (246, 7th).

2. Joshua Dobbs (Tennessee): The senior is a versatile talent able to pick apart defenses with his speed and arm. Dobbs ran for a school record (for quarterbacks) 671 yards and 11 more touchdowns and even hauled in a 58-yard scoring reception at Florida last year. He also completed nearly 60 percent (205 of 344) of his passes with 15 touchdown passes with just five interceptions.

Oct 10, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) runs for a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

The Vols are 14-5 in his past 19 starts, averaging 34.2 points and 424 yards per game over that span. Dobbs is one of only three SEC players (along with Johnny Manziel and Tim Tebow) over the past 20 years to have amassed 300 passing yards and 100 yards rushing in the same game. He did it twice: against Georgia in 2015 and South Carolina in 2014.

3. Justin Thomas (Georgia Tech): The redshirt senior will be looking to rebound after a disappointing 2015 season in which his passing and rushing numbers fell off. Thomas, however, remains an accomplished runner who can make enough plays with his arm to keep opposing defenses honest. He completed just under 42 percent (75-180) of his passes last fall for 1,345 yards to go along with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Nov 28, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Justin Thomas (5) escapes a tackle by Georgia Bulldogs defensive tackle Sterling Bailey (58) during the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

A four-year starter, Thomas is also the Yellow Jackets’ leading returning rusher after accounting for 488 yards and six more scores on a team-high 145 carries as the trigger man in Georgia Tech’s “flexbone” option offense last fall. He was a second-team All-ACC pick in 2014 after passing for 1,719 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushing for 1,086 yards and eight more scores.

4. Drew Lock (Missouri): Now a sophomore, Lock struggled as a true freshman after being thrust into the starting lineup following Maty Mauk’s suspension. The former high school All-American started the final eight games for the Tigers, but appeared in all 12. Lock showed flashes at times, but never appeared comfortable in completing just 49 percent (129-for-263) of his attempts for 1,332 yards and four touchdowns with eight interceptions. Mizzou fans hope to see him take a big step forward in his development this season.