The media will begin asking questions in earnest Wednesday at the SEC football media days in Birmingham, but I thought I would get a head start.

Here are a few of the significant questions facing the SEC this fall:

Does Florida finally have a go-to running back?

Yes, but it doesn't call him a running back. When the Gators need short yardage with the game on the line, they probably will rely on Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow. When they need a big play, they probably will hand the ball to wide receiver Percy Harvin.

In fact, Florida might have as many running threats as any team in the SEC. Redshirt freshman Chris Rainey, who can play wide receiver or running back, did a marvelous Harvin impersonation this spring while Harvin was recovering from heel surgery.

Also, Southern Cal transfer Emmanuel Moody was outstanding in the spring game. And don't forget about Mon Williams, who might have been the starting running back last year if he hadn't suffered a knee injury. Last year's starter, Kestahn Moore is still around, and the Gators have added sprinter Jeffrey Demps.

Can LSU win a championship without a proven quarterback?

LSU won national championships in 2003 and last year without All-SEC quarterbacks. So you can't dismiss it just because it's breaking in a new quarterback - even if the quarterback is a Harvard transfer, Andrew Hatch.

The Tigers have one of the best offensive lines in the country, are four-deep at running back and have two proven wide receivers. Moreover, they have one of the game's best offensive coordinators in Gary Crowton.

With all those weapons, LSU doesn't need a Heisman-caliber quarterback. It just needs someone capable of using the talent around him, as Matt Flynn did last year and Matt Mauck did in 2003.

Or maybe it just needs a guy named Matt.

Can Georgia handle its success and expectations?

After finishing second nationally last year, the Bulldogs are being cast as a national championship contender this season. But they will have to overcome the nation's toughest schedule and their track record.

As good as Georgia has been under coach Mark Richt, it sometimes has struggled at handling success.

Georgia's 2002 SEC champions were in contention for the national championship until they lost to a Ron Zook-coached Florida team that finished 8-5. Georgia's 2004 team was ranked third nationally after routing defending national champion LSU, but was upset by UT the following week in Athens.

Can new Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino turn quarterback Casey Dick into a competent passer?

Petrino has a well-established reputation as a quarterback guru. But that's based on what he did with guys like Brian Brohm and Stefan LeFors at Louisville, and with Jake Plummer when Petrino was the quarterbacks coach at Arizona State.

Dick, who has been a pedestrian quarterback at best, will be a greater challenge. If Petrino pulls it off, quarterback recruits should be beating even harder on his door than they already are.

Can Kentucky and Vanderbilt be as competitive as they were last year?

Based on their losses, you wouldn't think so.

The Wildcats lost most of their offensive skill players on offense from a team that upset national champion LSU and almost beat Tennessee. Vanderbilt, which almost knocked off UT and Georgia, lost its entire starting offensive line.

If they're just as competitive this season, then their programs really are on the upswing, and the SEC East will be tougher than ever.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.

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