It seems like just yesterday it was the middle of summer and we were anxiously awaiting the start of college football season.

Now the season is already a quarter of the way done for most teams, which is crazy to think about. Time flies. It really does.

But now we’re getting into the meat of the season, with most teams starting conference play this week or next. It’s about to get real, y’all!

Now let’s move on to this week’s Mailbag questions:

Robert:

What’s your panic level on Alabama and Tennessee at this point in the season?

To be completely honest, it’s pretty high for both teams. I don’t think either the Vols or Tide have the right quarterback this year. They both have been hit hard by recent NFL departures and don’t have backups ready to go, either.

I like the Vols’ running game a bit better. I like Alabama’s defense better. Both teams still have plenty of talent. But is either team elite? I don’t think so.

If I have to put a 1-10 number on it, give me an 8 for Alabama and a 7 for Tennessee. I think there’s more of a chance Joe Milton develops into a capable quarterback over the course of the year than there is of any QB on Alabama’s roster becoming a star.

We’ll find out a lot about both of these teams during the Third Saturday in October. How many losses will each squad have by then?

James:

Which current SEC quarterback is the best NFL prospect, in your opinion?

With the way things are going in the NFL now, I’m going with Jayden Daniels. We’ve seen time and again how valuable quarterbacks who can run are to NFL squads (and to fantasy teams, but that’s neither here nor there).

Guys like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Anthony Richardson and even Daniel Jones add a different dynamic to games. It keeps defenses honest when a quarterback can take off and run. Daniels can certainly do that.

So can KJ Jefferson. I would draft Jayden Daniels over KJ Jefferson if I were an NFL squad, but it’d be a difficult call.

A guy who I think is showing flashes of being an NFL-caliber quarterback is Conner Weigman at Texas A&M. He’s taken a step forward this year and won’t be eligible for the draft until 2025. I think there’s a chance he can work his way into the Round 1 discussion next year.

I’m also not selling all of my Devin Leary stock just yet, but it’s something I’m not super confident in at this point. We’ll see how the rest of this season plays out in Lexington.

Clay:

Did Billy Napier coach his way off the hot seat with Florida’s big win over Tennessee? If so, who is on the hottest seat in the SEC?

I know Mizzou is 3-0 this year and recruiting well, but my goodness, Eli Drinkwitz committed coaching malpractice last weekend in a narrow (and lucky) win over Kansas State. Mismanaging timeouts, taking an inexcusable penalty, lackluster play-calling … there’s no way the Tigers should have won.

But they did. So my answer to this question is Nick Saban.

Just kidding. (Trying to make sure y’all are still paying attention.)

The real answer is Jimbo Fisher, despite his buyout price. That Miami loss got a lot of people grumbling again. A slow start to SEC play and a season with fewer than 9 wins could be enough to get Fisher fired in College Station.

@Dobbe8:

Mizzou is 3-0 after a historic field goal from the Thiccer Kicker, Harrison Mevis. How many games can our Tigers win this year?

Well, that kinda depends on how much Eli Drinkwitz tries to actively harm this team in the closing minutes of the game. Timeout management and clock management clearly aren’t his strong suits.

Based on how they’ve played thus far, they should beat Memphis this weekend in St. Louis. Mizzou fans all know nothing is a guarantee, so the Tigers will certainly need to come out strong on Saturday to go 4-0 in nonconference play.

I don’t see them beating LSU or Georgia. Florida and Tennessee should be good games. Even if they lose those 4, 8-4 is a real possibility for this squad. I’d settle for 7-5, but the talent is there if everyone stays healthy for 8-4.

I just want to see them win a bowl game at the end of this season. Is that too much to ask?

Have a question for next week’s Mailbag? Tweet at us using #SDSMailbag or email me at Adam.Spencer@XLMedia.com.