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SEC Football Power Rankings: 10 best quarterbacks entering 2016

By Collin Wieder

Sep 19, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) throws a touchdown pass to Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Preston Williams (7) (not pictured) during the first quarter against the Western Carolina Catamounts at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) throws a touchdown pass to Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Preston Williams (7) (not pictured) during the first quarter against the Western Carolina Catamounts at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Drew Barker (7) runs the ball against the Louisville Cardinals in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Louisville defeated Kentucky 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Drew Barker (7) runs the ball against the Louisville Cardinals in the second half at Commonwealth Stadium. Louisville defeated Kentucky 38-24. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

Kentucky football has been on the verge of being bowl eligible for two seasons. Mark Stoops is on the hot seat and needs a quarterback to lead him out of the 5-7 rut he is in. After the failure of the Patrick Towles experiment, Drew Barker has his shot to lead the Wildcats out of the SEC cellar.

He didn’t put up nice numbers, but he played a stout defense in one of his two starts. He had a tale of two games as a starter. He beat UNC Charlotte by completing 16-of-29 passes for 129 yards. The next week, he was smothered by Louisville’s defense completing 6-of-22 passes for 128 yards but did add a rushing touchdown.

He will have loads of help on offense. All skill position players return and three of the five starting offensive linemen are back. The running game is stacked with depth. Starting running back Stanley “Boom” Williams, and backups Jojo Kemp, Mikel Horton and Siheim King combined for 1,855 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns at 5.9 yards per carry. They all return for the 2016 season.

They also return one of the SEC’s best receiving corps. Junior receiver Dorian Baker led all receivers with 56 catches and recorded 612 yards and three touchdowns. Juniors Garrett Johnson and Jeff Badet return at the other two spots along with sophomore tight end C.J. Conrad.

Barker doesn’t have to be the SEC’s best. He’s just got to be a game manager that can get the ball into the hands of his playmakers.

Next: 8. John Franklin III Auburn

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