There will be a number of unknowns for Missouri’s defense when facing its toughest quarterbacks this season.

The questions begin with West Virginia’s Skyler Howard, who will be a new face to the Tigers to begin the year. He produced impressive numbers in 2015 within the Wild Wild West known as the Big 12. He could have the most prolific arm of any signal-caller to play Missouri this season.

There won’t be much more certainty when the SEC schedule begins. Tennessee’s Joshua Dobbs will be familiar. But LSU and Georgia should field skilled quarterbacks who have no history against Missouri.

That could work to the Tigers’ benefit. But there could be frustration found in the mystery as well. Time will show.

Here’s a closer look at the four best quarterbacks Missouri will see this year:

1. Skyler Howard, West Virginia: Missouri’s toughest test will come in the season opener. Howard threw for 3,145 yards with 26 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in guiding the Mountaineers to an 8-5 record last year. He also ran for 502 yards with six touchdowns. Howard should have the Tigers’ full attention when the teams meet in Morgantown on Sept. 3.

Jan 2, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Skyler Howard (3) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Cactus Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Of course, the Big 12 offers a different style of play than the SEC, so this will be an interesting challenge for Missouri. West Virginia’s top two receivers from last year – Shelton Gibson (887 yards) and Daikiel Shorts (528) – also return.

2. Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee: Dobbs is no stranger to the Tigers. He has faced them in each of the past three seasons, and he guided the Volunteers to a victory in Gary Pinkel’s home finale last year. Missouri contained Dobbs through the air in 2015, limiting him to 89 yards on 16-of-24 passing. But he ran for 54 yards on 10 carries with one touchdown.

Big things are expected of Dobbs and Tennessee this season, after he threw for 2,291 yards with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions last year. The Tigers should face a stiff test when they visit Knoxville on Nov. 19.

3. Brandon Harris, LSU: It remains to be seen what kind of player Harris will be. He was decent in throwing for 2,165 yards with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions last season. But his inconsistency also showed, especially against Alabama when he completed just 6-of-19 passes for 128 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Apr 16, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Brandon Harris (6) scrambles during the Spring Game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

In addition, he failed to break 100 yards passing against Mississippi State, Auburn, Eastern Michigan and Texas A&M. He needs to take steps forward in his development for LSU to reach its potential with Leonard Fournette in the backfield. Still, Harris will be one of the better quarterbacks Missouri faces this year when the teams meet Oct. 1 in Baton Rouge.

4. Jacob Eason, Georgia: We’ll assume Eason will be the Bulldogs’ starter as a true freshman when Georgia visits Missouri on Sept. 17. His ceiling is tantalizing, and his build at 6-foot-5, 211 pounds suggests he has the potential to mature into a dynamic pocket passer. 247Sports rated him as a five-star prospect and the second overall pro-style quarterback for the class of 2016 (behind Ole Miss’ Shea Patterson).

Still, Eason must work to meet the lofty visions others picture for him. A learning curve should be expected if he receives significant playing time this season. Even with growing pains likely to come, he should be one of the most skilled signal-callers to play Missouri this fall.