Whether the starters have graduated, transferred or were just ineffective, the following teams have a quarterback battle on their hands entering spring practice.

Auburn -- With Chris Todd out of eligibility, coordinator Gus Malzahn is looking for a new triggerman for his up-tempo offense, and the answer may come in the form of junior college transfer and former Florida quarterback Cam Newton. The 6-foot-6 Georgia native led Blinn College to the 2009 NJCAA National Championship and figures to be the early favorite to start the season opener September 4 against Arkansas State. During his time in Gainesville, Newton completed 6-of-12 passes for 54 yards and rushed for 113 yards and four scores. Some junior college transfers take some time to adjust to the step up in competition, but Newton’s previous experience in the SEC should prevent him from being overwhelmed. Also in the mix are Neil Caudle, Barrett Trotter, Tyrik Rollison and Clint Moseley. Caudle completed 15-of-20 passes for 170 yards, while Rollison ranked as the No. 74 prospect in the 2009 Athlon Consensus 100.

BYU -- Max Hall closed out a solid career in Provo with a Las Vegas Bowl victory over Oregon State and left big shoes to fill in 2010. Incoming freshman Jake Heaps is the most talented option on the roster, but he will have to contend with junior (and Utah State transfer) Riley Nelson and redshirt freshmen James Lark and Jason Munns. Nelson brings the most experience, but Heaps is already drawing praise in informal workouts. The Cougars have a solid core returning on offense and settling the quarterback spot would give this team an edge for second place in the Mountain West.

Georgia -- Joe Cox wasn’t terrible last year, but he was certainly no Matthew Stafford. The Bulldogs have two highly-regarded redshirt freshmen options, but neither has a snap of college experience. Aaron Murray ranked as the No. 31 prospect in the 2009 Athlon Consensus 100, while Zach Mettenberger ranked as the No. 19 quarterback nationally by Athlon Sports. Although both players have the talent, it may take some time for the winner of this battle to settle into the starting job.

Michigan -- Tate Forcier put together a solid freshman season, throwing for 2,050 yards and 13 touchdowns, along with rushing for 240 yards and three scores. However, Forcier won’t have a clear path for the job, with incoming freshman Devin Gardner and fellow sophomore Denard Robinson in the mix. Gardner should be the best all-around quarterback on the roster and enrolled early to compete in the spring. Forcier has the edge entering the spring, but holding Gardner off won’t be easy.

Nebraska -- Zac Lee threw six touchdown passes in the first two games of the season, but managed only eight the rest of the way. Lee suffered an elbow injury early in the year which hindered his ability, but Cody Green was unable to wrestle the job away. The Cornhuskers are the early favorites to win the Big 12 North, but need Lee or Green to find some consistency at this position. 

Oklahoma State -- When Zac Robinson was sidelined with an injury against Colorado, Alex Cate got the start under center and completed more passes to Colorado players (one) than he did to Oklahoma State receivers (zero). Brandon Weeden had an impressive second half against the Buffaloes and ended the season with 248 passing yards and four scores. Weeden, a former minor league pitcher, has an edge entering spring practice as the starter, but the job is up for grabs, especially with the hire of former Houston offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen. Cate has decided to transfer, leaving true freshmen Johnny Deaton (an early enrollee) and Nathan Sorenson and redshirt freshman Clint Chelf, to battle for the starting nod with Weeden.

Ole Miss -- Despite losing some key personnel around him for 2010, Jevan Snead’s decision to enter the NFL Draft after a lackluster season is still puzzling. With Snead gone, the Rebels will be rebuilding under center with a couple of inexperienced players. After completing 11-of-23 passes for 163 yards in 2009, sophomore Nathan Stanley has a slight edge entering spring practice. However, Stanley will face competition from redshirt freshman Raymond Cotton and intriguing junior college transfer Randall Mackey. Even if Mackey doesn’t win the starting job, his athletic ability will be difficult to keep off the field.

Oregon State -- Sean Canfield quietly earned All-Pac-10 first team honors last year, but the Beavers have quality candidates ready to step in his place. Sophomore Ryan Katz has shown promise in limited duty, true freshman Sean Mannion is a promising prospect and Virginia transfer Peter Lalich was rated among the top quarterbacks coming out of high school. Although it may take a couple of games for the Beavers to get this situation figured out, don’t expect that to hinder this team for long in 2010.

Penn State -- Replacing Daryll Clark isn’t going to be easy, but the Nittany Lions have plenty of talented options. Kevin Newsome gained valuable experience as a freshman, completing 8-of-11 passes for 66 yards, along with 95 rushing yards and two scores. Newsome will have competition for the job, with incoming freshman Robert Bolden and Paul Jones. Jones enrolled early, but Bolden will have a shot to win the job in the fall. Newsome’s experience from last season should give him an edge to start the 2010 opener against Youngstown State.

Tennessee -- Former coach Lane Kiffin did a good job with the offense last season, getting significant improvement from quarterback Jonathan Crompton. However, Crompton is out of eligibility and the Volunteers have to decide between senior Nick Stephens, junior college transfer Matt Simms and true freshman Tyler Bray. Simms struggled in his time at Louisville, while Stephens may keep the seat warm early on until Bray is ready to take over the controls.

Texas Tech -- The Red Raiders won’t be as prolific on offense with Tommy Tuberville as head coach, but they should still be among the best in the Big 12. Tuberville has already declared the battle between Taylor Potts and Steven Sheffield open. Tuberville isn’t a fan of the two-quarterback system, so the Texas Tech coaching staff would ideally like to settle on one player.

Others to watch

Arizona State -- Dennis Erickson hasn’t found the right pieces on offense over the last two seasons and the quarterback spot is a question mark once again. Michigan transfer Steven Threet, Samson Szakacsy and Brock Osweiler will compete for the starting job, with the race wide open heading into spring practice.

Connecticut -- The Huskies have a chance to contend for the Big East title, but they have to decide whether Cody Endres or Zach Frazer should be under center.

Minnesota -- Adam Weber enters spring practice as the starter, but his stats and play have regressed over the last two seasons. Sophomore MarQueis Gray will have a shot to unseat Weber in spring practice.

North Carolina -- T.J. Yates has started the last three seasons, but redshirt freshman Bryn Renner is expected to get a significant look this spring.

Pittsburgh -- All signs point to Tino Sunseri opening the year as the starter, but Pat Bostick returns from a redshirt year to battle for the job in the spring.

Purdue -- Miami transfer Robert Marve appears to be the No. 1 quarterback entering spring practice, with Caleb TerBush expected to be the backup.

Wake Forest -- Riley Skinner ended his eligibility in Winston-Salem as Wake Forest’s career leader in pass attempts, completions, completion percentage and yards. Brendan Cross and Ted Stachitas will get the first look, but true freshman Tanner Price may figure into the mix.

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