Several SEC teams had terrible quarterbacks.

It was ruining the conference. That was a common outcry during the regular season.

But what did the critics expect?

Here’s how the SEC’s preseason favorites opened the season at quarterback:

  • Alabama starter Jacob Coker had been expected to start in 2014, but was beaten out by four-year reserve Blake Sims.
  • Florida was depending on redshirt freshman Will Grier backed up by tiny Treon Harris, who had failed in 2014.
  • LSU was led by Brandon Harris, who had struggled in 2014 and was unable to keep opponents from stacking the box against Leonard Fournette.
  • Auburn’s Jeremy Johnson had never taken a college snap though he was touted as the next Cam Newton.
  • Georgia starter Greyson Lambert transferred after he was beaten out at ACC doormat Virginia.
  • Ole Miss was counting on troubled transfer Chad Kelly, who had played in junior-college in 2014 after getting tossed out by Clemson for disciplinary problems.

The bottom half of the conference had quarterback problems, too.

  • Vanderbilt’s Johnny McCrary was a terrible passer.
  • Kentucky’s Patrick Townes had showed promise in a five-win season. Four-star recruit Drew Barker was expected to challenge.
  • South Carolina couldn’t find a viable option among four spring candidates.
  • Missouri returned inconsistent, mistake-prone Maty Mauk, whose most productive throws had been jump balls, backed up by four-star recruit Drew Lock.
  • Texas A&M’s Brandon Allen had a solid freshman year. But rumors were circulating that prize recruit Kyler Murray was likely to take over at some point in the season.

Only three teams were solid at the most important position.

  • Mississippi State had dual-threat Dak Prescott, a proven leader who had taken the Bulldogs to the No. 1 spot in polls for a month in 2014.
  • Tennessee brought back Joshua Dobbs, an outstanding runner with a strong arm and star potential.
  • Arkansas had Brandon Allen, a solid but unspectacular passer with two years experience as a starter.

Brandon Allen and Prescott exceeded expectations with remarkable seasons. Dobbs led the Volunteers to six straight victories and near upsets of Alabama and Oklahoma.

Ole Miss and Alabama won with newcomers. Florida’s fast start came to a crashing halt when Grier was suspended.

Kelly far exceeded expectations with a talented cast at Ole Miss. Coker didn’t cost the Crimson Tide any games early and he showed marked improvement as the season wore on.

Kelly, Prescott and Brandon Allen were stars. Coker and Dobbs played well. There were five strong quarterbacks in the SEC.

Most of the teams that entered the season with questions and problems at quarterback ended the season with questions and problems.

What was all the fuss about?