This should be an exciting season in the SEC, if for no other reason than potentially 12 teams return their starting quarterback from a season ago.

Here’s a look at what statistic could define each SEC starting quarterback for the 2017 season. (Note: if a team didn’t have a clear-cut favorite, a decision was made on the best possible candidate to begin the season as the starter.)

Alabama – Jalen Hurts: Passing away from home

There wasn’t a whole lot to find wrong with Hurts’ freshman season; the 2016 SEC Offensive Player of the Year threw for nearly 2,800 yards and had 23 TD passes to just 9 interceptions. Hurts added 954 rushing yards and 13 TD runs.

But one area fans might be able to tell if Hurts is benefiting from a year’s experience as a starting QB will come when Alabama takes its act away from home. Last season Hurts completed just 57 percent of his passes in road or neutral site games, compared to nearly 67.9 percent at home.

But after Nov. 1, those numbers in road/neutral games were even worse.

Over his last four such games, Hurts completed less than 50 percent of his passes (48.8%) with just 2 TD passes, including a 44 percent effort in two games of the College Football Playoff.

In fairness to Hurts, those last four road/neutral site games came against LSU in Baton Rouge, Florida in the SEC Championship Game, and two College Football Playoff games.

It won’t take long for Crimson Tide fans to see if Hurts can handle life away from Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama opens its 2017 season Sept. 2 in Atlanta against Florida State. Both teams will be in the top 5.

Arkansas – Austin Allen: Interceptions

Austin Allen led the SEC in completions (245) and passing yards (3,430) in 2016 and was one of two SEC QBs with at least 25 TD passes last season (Joshua Dobbs being the other).

But there was another SEC-leading stat that the Razorbacks would like to see improved for 2017: interceptions. Allen threw 15 picks last season, which was tied for fifth-most in the entire FBS.

If Allen can cut down on the interceptions, it might make the difference in Arkansas’ season for 2017. Last season, in games in which Allen threw multiple interceptions, the Razorbacks were just 1-4. In all other games, they were 6-2.

Auburn: Jarrett Stidham – Pass attempts

Assuming that Stidham, a transfer from Baylor, beats last year’s starter Sean White for the starting nod, the expectation from Auburn fans is that the Tigers’ offense will be more diverse than ever under Gus Malzahn. Stidham’s passing and the return of the SEC’s leading rusher in Kamryn Pettway could make the Tigers a serious contender in the West.

But fans should probably tone down the excitement over Stidham’s arrival just a bit. It’s important to remember his last game experience came 19 months ago. Back in 2015 as a freshman in Baylor’s high-octane offense, Stidham replaced Heisman Trophy contender Seth Russell when Russell was lost for the season with an injury.

Stidham excelled in the starting role, completing 62.9 percent of his attempts for 934 yards, with 6 TD passes and 2 interceptions in leading the Bears to 2-1 mark in his starts. Stidham missed the final three games of his freshman season with a broken ankle.

So while his numbers from 2015 as a freshman were impressive (12 pass TD and just 2 interceptions), it’s important to remember that as a starter Stidham has thrown just 81 passes and hasn’t played in a live game since November of 2015.

Florida – Luke Del Rio: Numbers vs. ranked competition

The starting quarterback position for the Gators will likely not be decided until the season opener approaches. And the addition of Notre Dame grad transfer Malik Zaire could change everything for the Gators in their pursuit for consistency at the QB position not seen since Tim Tebow left in 2009.

However, Luke Del Rio is the most experienced returning quarterback, and one way or another he figures to have a chance to compete for the starting spot. Del Rio is coming off a 2016 in which he started just six games due to injury. His season did have some highlights (320 pass yards, 4 TD passes against Kentucky, a win over rival Georgia), but also featured some struggles (2 pass TD, 7 interceptions in his last 4 starts).

One thing that Del Rio’s 2016 did not feature was a game against a ranked opponent. The six opponents Del Rio faced were a combined 33-43. The last time Del Rio even played against a ranked opponent was in 2014, when he faced No. 2 Oregon as quarterback for Oregon State.

If Del Rio does win the starting job, he will be tested early against an opponent that figures to be ranked. The Gators open the season in Arlington, Texas against Michigan.

Georgia – Jacob Eason: Completion percentage

Georgia fans could not have been more pleased with the 2016 season of Jacob Eason. As the first true freshman to start a game at QB for Georgia since Matthew Stafford in 2006, Eason was impressive at times (308 pass yards at Missouri; 208 pass yards in a win over No. 17 Auburn).

But he could have been even better.

Eason also finished with a completion percentage of 55.1, and in eight of his 12 starts was held under 60 percent. While these are hardly surprising numbers for a true freshman starting at quarterback in the SEC, if Georgia expects to compete in the SEC East, the coaching staff will want to see percentage climb into the 60s.

Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky — Stephen Johnson: Yards per attempt

After being thrown into the starting quarterback role following Drew Barker’s season-ending back injury in Week 3, Johnson gave Kentucky fans a lot of excitement, thanks to his dual-threat capabilities. He showed them off in the regular-season finale, outplaying Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson in a shocking 41-38 win at Louisville.

But if Johnson wants to lead Kentucky to a second consecutive bowl appearance, he will likely have to improve his overall passing game. Last season Johnson averaged 7.7 yards per attempt, which wasn’t a bad number, when you consider that was a higher average than QBs like Jalen Hurts, Nick Fitzgerald and Jacob Eason.

However that number dropped significantly against SEC competition. In 8 games against SEC teams, Johnson averaged just 6.4 yards per attempt. Throw in a completion percentage of 50.9 against the SEC, and it’s easy to see where Johnson will need to improve for the Wildcats to have a chance at back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2006-2009.

LSU — Danny Etling: Red-zone efficiency

Quick, who led the SEC in red zone completion percentage last season?

Yes, it was Danny Etling – 68.0 – along with 5 TD passes and most important, no interceptions.

New offensive coordinator Matt Canada will try and improve Etling’s all-around play in 2017. But if Etling continues to be productive in the red zone, the Tigers might get back to competing for the SEC West title.

Ole Miss — Shea Patterson: Pass attempts

Because of the Rebels’ self-imposed one-year bowl ban, it might be easy to lose sight of them this season. But pay attention to Shea Patterson’s pass attempts.

As a true freshman last season, Patterson started the final three games of the season after Chad Kelly’s season-ending ACL injury. Patterson lived up to his dual-threat reputation, averaging nearly 14 carries a game (13.7) and 56.3 yards per game on the ground.

But also in those three games, Patterson averaged 44 passes per game. No other SEC quarterback averaged more than 37. Although it was a small sample, will Freeze continue to let Patterson sling the ball downfield like he did in 2016?

Mississippi State — Nick Fitzgerald: Rushing yards

For a guy replacing a star at quarterback in Dak Prescott, Nick Fitzgerald did just fine in 2016. The sophomore stepped in and put up so-so numbers as a passer (21 pass TD, but just 54 percent completion percentage).

Cam Newton ran for 1,473 yards in 2010. Johnny Manziel ran for 1,410 in 2012. Nick Fitzgerald just missed becoming the third SEC QB to reach 1,400.

It was in the running game where Fitzgerald excelled. Fitzgerald led the SEC with 16 rushing touchdowns, was second in the conference in rush yards (1,375) and no QB in the SEC had more rushing attempts than Fitzgerald (195). He set the Bulldogs’ record for rushing yards by a quarterback and threatened Cam Newton’s SEC mark of 1,473.

With the loss of star receiver Fred Ross to the NFL, more yards on the ground might be expected of Fitzgerald in 2017.

Missouri — Drew Lock: 3rd-down completion percentage

Drew Lock put up impressive numbers in an otherwise dismal season for the Tigers. No SEC QB had more attempts than Lock (434) and only Austin Allen threw for more yards in the SEC.

But for all his successes, Lock struggled on third down. His 45.5 completion percentage was the worst in the SEC.

If Lock can improve in this area, perhaps the Tigers can get back into bowl consideration.

South Carolina — Jake Bentley: Passing yards

As a true freshman thrown into the fire of starting in midseason, Jake Bentley had some very impressive moments, including a combined completion percentage of 77 percent in wins over Tennessee and Missouri in consecutive weeks.

But Bentley saved his best for last, throwing for 390 yards and 3 TD in a loss to South Florida in the Birmingham Bowl. Despite the loss, his performance left South Carolina fans with an interesting question:

Could the SEC leader in passing yards in 2017 really come from a Will Muschamp-coached team?

Tennessee — Quinten Dormady: Rush attempts

Whoever wins the expected competition for the starting quarterback job between junior Quinten Dormady and redshirt freshman Jarrett Guarantano, the ability to run the ball figures to play a prominent role.

Josh Dobbs ran for 12 touchdowns last season. That's more scores than Quinten Dormady has had rushing attempts.

While no lock for the starting job, Dormady has more experience than any of the other Tennessee quarterbacks (14 career games, 39 pass attempts). One thing he does not have, though, is a history of running the ball. Dormady had just 1 rush attempt last season and only 11 for his career, with zero rushing TDs.

If Dormady not only wants to win this starting quarterback job but keep it, he might have to develop that part of his game quickly.

Texas A&M – Jake Hubenak: Yards per attempt

It’s really anyone’s guess who will be the starting quarterback for the Aggies in 2017, following the departure of Trevor Knight. However, in terms of experience, Hubenak brings the most of any of the contenders.

Hubenak, unlike Knight, is a pocket passer, so consistency in his ability to throw the ball downfield will likely be a big factor if he is to be named the starter. Hubenak did this pretty well in limited action in 2016.

Hubenak threw 104 passes and averaged 8.5 yards per attempt. Although it was too small of a sample to rank among the conference leaders, consider that the SEC leader in this category, Austin Allen, averaged 8.6.

The number was even better for Hubenak against SEC competition. In 3 appearances against SEC teams, including a start against Ole Miss, Hubenak averaged 10.0 yards per attempt.

Vanderbilt – Kyle Shurmur: Passing yards

After struggling for most of the season, Shurmur finally turned his season around — and that of the Commodores as well – by throwing for 1,162 yards in his final four regular-season games. That was more passing yards than Shurmur had over his first eight games combined.

[table “” not found /]

In the Commodores’ regular-season finale against Tennessee, Shurmur threw for 416 yards in a 45-34 win that put the finishing touches on a 6-6 regular season and their first bowl appearance since 2013.

While no one expects Shurmur to lead the SEC in passing this season, if he can improve on the momentum he had at the end of the regular season, it could put Vanderbilt in position for another bowl appearance.