Auburn Football: Pre-Spring SEC Quarterback Power Rankings

Nov 27, 2014; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kyle Allen (10) attempts a pass during the first quarter against the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The 2014 football season was a strange one for Texas A&M. The Aggies entered ranked 21st in the nation, and most pre-season analysts (myself included) thought it was a bit high for a team that had to replace some of the most productive players in school history – most notably Heisman winner Johnny Manziel and fellow first round draft picks Mike Evans and Jake Matthews.

However, A&M blasted a top ten ranked South Carolina squad 52-28 on the road in the season opener, and starting quarterback Kenny Hill emerged as the early Heisman favorite. The Aggies started the season 5-0 and rose to No. 6 in the AP Top 25, and those analysts looked silly.

However, a three-game losing streak led to Hill (who at the time led the SEC in passing) to lose not only his position in the Heisman race, but also as the team’s starting quarterback. True freshman Kyle Allen snapped the losing streak with an underwhelming 21-16 win over UL-Monroe, but led Texas A&M to a 41-38 upset victory over No. 3 Auburn in Jordan-Hare Stadium the following week.

With Allen starting the rest of the season, the Aggies lost to Missouri and LSU, but beat West Virginia 45-37 in the Liberty Bowl. The Arizona native finished the season with 1,322 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

The numbers don’t exactly jump off the page, but Allen’s emergence as the starter (and a two-game suspension and later decision to transfer for Hill) means Allen is the clear favorite to start in 2015. A former five-star recruit, Allen will still have to compete and blue-chipper Kyler Murray poses the biggest threat.

Next: 4. Tennessee