Running backs. Quarterbacks. College Football Playoff.

Several storylines dominate the SEC and college football every year, but we have thought of five that aren’t really getting enough publicity heading into the season.

Here are five underrated storylines we’ll be keeping an eye on this year:

Pharoh Cooper: The guy needs no introduction, or maybe he does, because I’m writing about an underrated player being an underrated storyline. Pharoh Cooper isn’t the biggest, flashiest or fastest guy on the football field. But all he does is make plays. And a lot of them. He has football speed. And a lot of it. Outside of Columbia, many are forgetting about Coop’s ability to change games. He’s like my late grandmother who could look in the refrigerator and make something out of nothing. Cooper means everything to South Carolina. He returns punts and catches everything thrown his way — and oh, by the way, he also plays some quarterback. What can’t this guy do? He’s an all-purpose animal who could quietly be the SEC’s biggest impact player.

Ralph Webb’s quest for 1,000: I’m sure you didn’t watch much Vanderbilt football in 2014, and if you didn’t, you missed the Commodores’ freshman star. Ralph Webb finished with 907 yards and four touchdowns, with virtually no help. Defenses knew Webb was running the football, and they still had a tough time stopping it. Watching Webb’s quest for 1,000 yards will be awesome to watch in 2015.

SEC defense: Where has it gone? When the SEC was dominating college football during the BCS era, the defense was the biggest reason. But that’s slowly eroding. I think there are many causes to this, but my biggest impactful theories are 1. The spread-‘em-out offenses and 2. The better athletes are playing on offense. Think about it: Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas A&M all run wide-open offenses, and when you combine those with team speed and good to great quarterback play, it’s a recipe for a disaster for defenses. Less talented teams are having success against better defenses. It levels the playing field. Will SEC defense return in 2015? Is the future set up for the SEC to turn into the Pac-12? It’s an interesting trend to watch.

Race for respect: Arkansas and Tennessee are on parallel paths to garnering respect. Which team will reach the apex first? Obviously, Tennessee has to be the favorite because of the weaker division, but insert Arkansas into the SEC East, and the Hogs would give any team a dogfight for the division. Tennessee and Arkansas return experienced quarterbacks and solid defenses. They are commanded by third-year head coaches who have proven it in other conferences and are looking for their due in the SEC.

Alabama potentially rebuilding: The recruiting rankings won’t show it, but some think Alabama could be in for a correction. I know I’m in the minority; many expect Alabama to win the SEC West. However, the Tide do not have a solution at quarterback, no big-time playmaker on the outside and a secondary that is replacing three starters. Now, there’s obviously talent at every position; Nick Saban has stacked talent like cord wood. A rebuilding year for Alabama doesn’t mean 4-8 Florida; it doesn’t mean 7-6. But it could be more like 9-3. Not winning 10 games would mean the Crimson Tide are rebuilding, and that’s okay.

What are some other underrated storylines you’re watching in 2015?