We could have as many as seven new Week 1 starting quarterbacks in the SEC this season. The only incumbents guaranteed to start this weekend are Arkansas’ Brandon Allen, Kentucky’s Patrick Towles, Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott, Missouri’s Maty Mauk, Tennessee’s Joshua Dobbs, Texas A&M’s Kyle Allen and someone on Vanderbilt (more on that in a second).

It’s still not clear who Alabama will start, but it will be a guy who takes his first collegiate snaps in a Crimson Tide uniform.

Auburn’s Jeremy Johnson has brief starting experience. Florida will use Treon Harris and Will Grier in Week 1 and Harris started a handful of games last year, but most expect Grier, a redshirt freshman, to win that job eventually. LSU’s Brandon Harris started one game last year, a disaster vs. Auburn.

Vanderbilt decided to start Johnny McCrary.

Here is my ranking of the quarterbacks with the toughest work ahead of him for the coming season.

3. KYLE ALLEN, TEXAS A&M

The sophomore would appear to be in an enviable position with a brilliant offensive head coach in Kevin Sumlin and maybe the nation’s top group of receivers in Josh Reynolds, Speedy Noil, Ricky Seals-Jones and true freshman Christian Kirk.

So while is Allen on this list? Because a guy who was arguably even more touted than him coming out of high school, true freshman Kyler Murray, is currently the No. 2. Remember that Kenny Hill got off to a blazing start last season but then faded. He was suspended two games — and eventually transferred — but was going to lose his job to Allen regardless. Sumlin might have a short leash with Allen.

There’s also the matter of a leaky Texas A&M defense, although new coordinator John Chavis should help. Whichever guy is under center is surely going to have to score plenty of points for the Aggies to contend in the SEC West.

2. CHAD KELLY, OLE MISS

Kelly, a former touted recruit at Clemson who was dismissed from the program following the 2013 season, has won the job for the season opener against Tennessee-Martin. Kelly lived up this his recruiting ratings last year at East Mississippi Community College in leading the program to the NJCAA National Championship. He completed 66.9 percent of his passes while throwing for 3,906 yards with 47 touchdowns to earn NJCAA first-team All-America honors.

So why is this a tough gig? Coach Hugh Freeze hasn’t exactly put all his faith in Kelly. Freeze plans to play redshirt sophomores Ryan Buchanan and DeVante Kincade also in Week 1.

“It is a very close competition. I like all three,” Freeze said earlier this week to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger.

I don’t think Kelly will have much rope because expectations are so high in Oxford. I also believe Freeze will want to decide on a full-time starter for the Week 3 game at Alabama. Ole Miss follows what should be a blowout of UT-Martin with a Week 2 home game vs. Fresno State, which is decent but not a threat to win.

Ole Miss has one of the SEC’s top receiver groups led by All-American receiver candidate Laquon Treadwell, Washington transfer Damore’ea Stringfellow and very good tight end Evan Engram. So it’s all on the QB.

1. JOHNNY MCCRARY AT VANDERBILT

I mean, how can the Commodores not be No. 1 on this list? They were by far the worst offensive team in the SEC last season and probably the second-worst in the nation among Power 5 teams to the ACC’s Wake Forest. Vandy started four QBs in 2014, the most in the FBS.

Commodores coach Derek Mason fired offensive coordinator Karl Dorrell after one season and replaced him with former Wisconsin OC Andy Ludwig. The Badgers were very run-heavy under Ludwig because they had Melvin Gordon. Wisconsin set a school record in total offense in 2013 and ranked third nationally in rushing offense in 2014.

It was the sophomore McCrary against Western Kentucky in the season opener. Patton Robinette actually looked to be in the lead following spring practice but opted to go to medical school (only at Vandy would a starting QB make this decision). The Commodores tossed 19 interceptions last season. McCrary threw eight in 152 attempts last season, while Freebeck had five in 72 attempts.

Remember that Vanderbilt lost leading receiver C.J. Duncan for the season back in August to a lower-leg injury. He led all Commodores receivers with 441 yards and four touchdowns last season.