We’ve talked at length this offseason about the SEC’s perceived strength at the top, a clear talent edge a handful of programs have on the others based on returning starters, potential impact newcomers and overall roster strength.

When the quarterback position is eliminated, does the balance of power shift near the front of the pack? Not by much.

Ranking SEC rosters minus the QBs

14. Kentucky

Boom Williams has the potential to rush for 1,000 yards this fall and the Wildcats are going to need him to be at his best faced with a challenging slate. Patrick Towles gives Kentucky an edge over Vanderbilt in preseason power rankings as a team, but taking him out of the equation makes these two rosters extremely comparable from a talent perspective. You could even argue the Commodores have a slight edge on defense thanks to All-SEC caliber linebackers Nigel Bowden and Stephen Weatherly.

13. Vanderbilt

Quarterback is the Commodores’ primary position of weakness and eliminating it leaves Vanderbilt with a couple interesting areas of possible strength this fall, notably at running back, defensive line and linebacker. With a formidable player under center, Derek Mason’s squad could approach seven wins with a solid defense.

12. Florida

There’s lots of holes Jim McElwain will need to address during his first season at Florida and the current quarterback battle between Treon Harris and Will Grier isn’t even the team’s biggest issue. Replacing four starters up front will be a chore along with developing depth at the linebacker spot if Antonio Morrison and Jarrad Davis aren’t 100 percent by the start of the season. Both athletic tacklers are coming off serious knee injuries.

11. Mississippi State

Since Dak Prescott is the Bulldogs’ best player and arguably the SEC’s top athlete overall heading into the 2015 season, taking him out of the equation cripples Mississippi State’s 2015 outlook based on its current roster. While there’s talent and depth at the other skill positions (notably running backs, wide receivers and pass rushers), several multi-year starters will be replaced along the offensive line and concerns remain in the secondary.

10. Texas A&M

Eliminating five-star Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray from the mix trims the Aggies’ overall collection down a peg, but that’s not to say Kevin Sumlin doesn’t have playmakers elsewhere. Myles Garrett is one of the nation’s top pass rushers and the offensive line has two 2016 draft picks playing their final seasons in College Station. Texas A&M’s secondary has issues and the linebackers are largely unproven, putting the Aggies 10th in this list.

9. South Carolina

The Gamecocks’ primary weakness on offense heading into the season is their uncertainty under center. By eliminating that issue with a returning starter at quarterback, we could be talking about South Carolina as an Eastern Division darkhorse quarterback thanks to Pharoh Cooper, Brandon Wilds and a couple other playmakers on Steve Spurrier’s side of the ball. As it stands before Lorenzo Nunez’s arrival later this summer, the Gamecocks are thin at the position with very little experience.

8. Mizzou

Without Maty Mauk, the Tigers’ offense would lacks it heart and ultimately the team’s X-factor in getting back to the SEC Championship Game for a third straight season. He might be inconsistent at times and his reliance on scrambling often effects his rhythm, but Mauk is Mizzou’s most important player and without him, the Tigers are a below average unit on offense. Russell Hansbrough can’t do it all behind top-notch center Evan Boehm.

7. Arkansas

My infatuation with Brandon Allen’s improvement as a passer is well-documented and I truly believe he’s the key to a memorable turnaround this season for the Razorbacks. Without him, even with two 1,000-yard rushers, Arkansas would be average on offense. Much of the preseason talk has centered around personnel losses on defense, but based on what the Razorbacks have coming back on that side of the ball, Robb Smith should be able to maintain a strong unit.

6. Tennessee

Few would argue Joshua Dobbs is the Vols’ most important player, but is he Tennessee’s best? That’s a tougher sell when there’s a five-star running back who already emerged as one of the league’s most dynamic as a true freshman and a fierce pass rusher any defensive coordinator would love to center his scheme around. Tennessee has the talent to win the East, but has to stay healthy.

5. Auburn

The Tigers have substantial preseason hype due to Jeremy Johnson, Nick Marshall’s replacement at quarterback in Gus Malzahn’s fastbreak-style offense. While trying to project Johnson’s production is more or less and educated guess at this point, without him the Tigers wouldn’t be a legitimate Playoff threat. Will Muschamp likes the veteran personnel he has on defense and Auburn owns one of college football’s best receivers on the outside which makes for a well-balanced roster.

4. LSU

Anthony Jennings and Brandon Harris are considered middle-of-the-road placeholders on Leonard Fournette’s offense, so dismissing those two from the roster reveals what we’ve come to expect out of LSU during the Les Miles era — a team loaded with athleticism and speed. Led by Tre’Davious White and Jalen Mills, the Tigers’ secondary should be one of the nation’s best this fall.

3. Alabama

No, Braxton Miller or Everett Golson will not play for the Crimson Tide next season, but they’ll fine with Jake Coker in Lane Kiffin’s system. Alabama’s blessed with great depth (per the usual) in the trenches, although there’s a bit of worry at the wide receiver positions with several first-year starters expected to shoulder the load. Fixing the secondary is Kirby Smart’s primary issue and the Crimson Tide were down a few bodies this spring.

2. Georgia

There’s no question the Bulldogs are the Eastern Division’s most talented team heading into fall, but how often do paper champions win the real thing? It’s baffling to think Georgia has one SEC title in the last decade despite annually bringing in some of the nation’s top talent. Some view that as an indictment on Mark Richt who has under-performed if rings are the benchmark. I haven’t yet made my 2015 preseason Crystal Ball picks, but I think this is Georgia’s year (and I’ve never said that for the record).

1. Ole Miss

Considering quarterback is one of this team’s only weaknesses heading into the 2015 season, taking that position away means the Rebels are stacked from top to bottom. Ole Miss returns all five starters up front, led by tackle Laremy Tunsil who is one of four possible first-round picks on this roster in next year’s NFL draft. Loaded on defense at every level, the Rebels should be labeled as one of the squads in the hunt for an SEC crown this fall (if Chad Kelly is serviceable at worst).