MARLER: SEC scrimmages to shape QB races, O-line, injury outlook

By Chris Marler

Three Saturdays from now, fans will wake up buzzing with excitement, pour a coffee (and maybe something extra, depending on kickoff time), and turn on the television to see Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, and Rece Davis usher in the most wonderful time of the year: college football season.

Just 21 days is all that stands between now and fans scream singing “YEAH WE’RE COMIN TO YO CITTAAAAAAAAY” AT 8 a.m.

Until then, here’s what to watch for today as SEC teams continue fall practice. Several scrimmages are on the schedule, and these are the position battles worth keeping an eye on.

LSU’s Offensive Line

Head coach Brian Kelly has been pretty up front about the offensive line situation being a work in progress. He said earlier this week that Virginia Tech transfer Braelin Moore will anchor the offensive line at center. That would require replacing incumbent starter DJ Chester and starting five entirely new players across the offensive line.

Through two weeks of practice, that has been evident. Granted, LSU might have the best defensive line in the country, but regardless, the offensive line has struggled significantly. Today will be a good look at if they’ve improved at all, if they can run the football and if they juggle any of the guys around to find the right five versus the best five up front. 

Alabama’s Quarterbacks 

Since the spring, Ty Simpson has been the guy at quarterback for Alabama. He’s looked good and brings a lot of skills to the table that should thrive in new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s offense. 

However, Keelon Russell enters as the highest-ranked recruit in program history as a true freshman, higher than Bryce Young, Tua Tagovailoa, Julio Jones, Trent Richardson, and any other five-star you want to name.

In the days of tampering and transfers, there is no way they can manage to keep him off the field completely. So what does that look like? Will they have a package for him? Will it be a closer race than we think? Only time will tell.

Can Florida Stay Healthy 

The DJ Lagway calf strain incident turning into a narrative of him being injury prone was overblown. Still, it’s understandable, the full, unabbreviated word for fan is fanatic, after all.

While Lagway has been hampered at times, he has returned to full strength as the starting quarterback. However, the Gators have been nicked up all over the field at other key positions. Most recently, and notably, in the last few weeks is WR Dallas Wilson who suffered a leg injury this week. He is one of five players expected to play a big role on the 2025 team who are missing from practice. 

If the Gators scrimmage on Saturday, can they get through it unscathed?