An SEC schedule includes teams with many of the nation's top players housed in each roster. Auburn will face off against some of the toughest in the country, with the Tiger defense being tested early and often throughout the 2016 season. Auburn is tasked with minimizing the talents of these top quarterbacks from around - and outside of - the conference:
Deshaun Watson - Clemson:
On Saturday, Sept. 3, the Tigers will have their hands full with the Clemson signal caller Deshaun Watson. Watson, a junior, is returning to Clemson after a record-breaking 2015 season. In 2015, Watson became the first player in FBS history to throw for over 4,000 yards and rush for over 1,000 in the same season. The 6-foot-2 210 pound quarterback also finished third in last year's Heisman Trophy voting behind Alabama’s Derrick Henry and Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey before leading his number one ranked team to the CFP National Championship game against Alabama. In the 45-40 championship loss to Alabama, Watson was brilliant completing 30 passes for 405 yards and rushing for 73 in the contest. The Auburn defense will face perhaps its toughest test right away in Watson.
Chad Kelly - Ole Miss:
Before a fourth down and 25 play in overtime kept Arkansas alive and eventually victors in Oxford, Mississippi, Ole Miss Quarterback Chad Kelly had been crucial for the Rebels. Kelly’s 4,542 total yards ranks him at third-most in a season in SEC History. Kelly was ranked among the top 20 quarterbacks nationally last year in most categories and is the only quarterback to ever lead a Rebel team to victory over Auburn, Alabama and LSU in the same season. The senior led the conference in average passing yards, total offense, passing touchdowns and points responsible for last season. Kelly has the opportunity to be the only quarterback in conference history to throw for 4,000 yards twice in a career. Auburn will face Kelly and the Rebels in Oxford, Mississippi on Saturday, Oct. 29.
Brandon Harris - LSU: Although Harris only completed 53 percent of his passes last season, his dual threat ability and his experience lands him at the No. 3 spot. Harris struggled at times in his sophomore season, but did throw for over 2,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. Harris also capped the season at only six interceptions, where he tied the LSU record for passes without a pick. There is still room to improve for Harris. His ability to run, as well as the weapons around him, make him a force for Auburn to reckon with when LSU visits the Plains on Sept. 24.
Honorable mention: Texas A&M transfer Trevor Knight
Knight’s lack of SEC experience does not earn him a spot on the list, but the Oklahoma transfer does have the ability to take the conference by storm and be a crucial player for the Aggies in their 2016 season.
Knight was the Sooner starter in 2014, when he completed 56 percent of his passes for 2,300 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 10 games for Oklahoma. He also rushed for 339 yards and five scores in 2014, but lost the starting job to Sooner quarterback Baker Mayfield during last year's offseason. The 6-foot-1 quarterback only appeared in six games for Oklahoma last season, throwing two touchdowns and two interceptions. The newest Aggie looks to bounce back this season and have more performances like he did against Alabama in the 2013 Sugar Bowl. Knight and the Aggies visit Auburn on Saturday, Sept. 13.
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