It's the (bound) Saturday we've all been waiting for.

Nosotros've got half-dozen spring games, 5 of which you'll need an ESPN+ subscription to access. Something tells me it's past blueprint that even Alabama can only viewed via a streaming service.

  • Arkansas, Noon ET (SEC Network+, ESPN+)
  • Mississippi Land, Noon ET (SEC Network+, ESPN+)
  • Georgia, 1 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
  • Vandy, 2 p.thousand. ET (SEC Network+, ESPN+)
  • Alabama, 3 p.m. ET (SEC Network+, ESPN+)
  • South Carolina, seven p.m. ET (SEC Network+, ESPN+)

But hey, spring football is better than no football. Yes, shots fired at you, 2020. Y'all were the worst. Please never come back.

Hither's 1 question I have for each SEC spring game:

Alabama — Is the Jermaine Burton-Bryce Young connection evident?

If yous've been following the discussion involving the quondam Georgia receiver, well, it'due south been pretty positive. Y'all've probably seen a tweet like this:

Burton is at present in a office where he's trying to practice what Jameson Williams did concluding year. That is, become someone that Young develops instant chemistry with. With Williams, it was all the more impressive that he and Young were on the same page from the jump — that Miami touchdown was a pretty telling sign of what was to come — even though they didn't get a spring together.

With Williams, John Metchie and Slade Bolden all gone, Burton is in a favorable spot to become Immature's favorite target. Certain, he doesn't have the same feel in the offense that tight cease Cameron Latu or emerging wideout Ja'Corey Brooks have. Guys like JoJo Earle and Traeshon Holden could also carve out a role as reliable laissez passer-catchers. What they don't take is 2 years' worth of starts for a team with national championship aspirations. That's advantage, Burton.

Chemistry, or lack thereof, was a big reason why Burton didn't want to return to be Georgia'south WR1 with Stetson Bennett IV. If Burton looks the part with Young, he won't be able to avoid those Williams comps this summertime.

Arkansas — Does Jadon Haselwood wait the role?

Speaking of transfer receivers I have questions near, Haselwood isn't trying to exist Treylon Burks two.0. Whatever expectation that he's on the level of arguably the best receiver in program history is unfair.

Having said that, KJ Jefferson needs a new go-to guy. Haselwood would love to be that after he and Spencer Rattler never really developed that connexion. Haselwood hasn't necessarily proven to be a guy who can consistently go separation. That'due south why jump is so of import. Jefferson protects the football and doesn't take those chances. Burks was actually the only guy who had Jefferson's trust in those 1-on-1 situations. That took time, too.

Haselwood has his first opportunity in a live setting to testify Jefferson that he tin can exist trusted in those tight spots. Kendal Briles already said that "you lot become anything close to him and he catches the football game." It's one matter for an offensive coordinator to say that. It's another affair for a quarterback to believe it. Of grade, information technology'southward also another thing for a receiver to earn that trust. Saturday should provide some skillful insight as to where that rapport is at.

Georgia — Volition the Brock Vandagriff hype train reach excess speeds?

Considering if it does, buckle up.

I say that knowing in a spring scrimmage, Vandagriff won't exist live. We won't see the full arsenal with his dual-threat capabilities. That'southward why he might not testify off the five-star potential that Georgia fans take been clamoring for. Alongside Carson Brook, at that place's a decent chance that neither of them actually show much separation. Shoot, that probably goes for Stetson Bennett IV, too.

Then again, who are we kidding? All it would take for the Vandagriff QB1 narrative to really take off is if he makes 1 highlight reel play. It'll prompt a "run across, Stetson tin't do that." They might be right. They might also be wise to accept the reality that Bennett is starting against Oregon unless he gets hurt or suspended. Vandagriff tin can intermission a dude's ankles in the open field for a touchdown, and it still won't change that reality.

Having said that, Georgia fans are well within their rights to be excited about Vandagriff looking like he's taken another step in Todd Monken's offense.

MSU — Tin the o-line hold up against that experienced defence force?

I worry about an MSU offensive line that has to replace both offensive tackles, including hereafter first-round pick Charles Cross. It was Cross who did an excellent task protecting Will Rogers' bang. That was a major reason why teams could no longer just rush 3 and expect to get dwelling house. To allow merely 2 sacks on 719 pass-blocking snaps is insane. That'south the type of production that's going to be a major challenge to replace.

This is non the setting wherein Rogers should be getting ane-mitt touched to death. It's a controlled atmosphere wherein guys aren't going full speed through the quarterback. Rogers is entering Year iii in the system, and even though Makai Polk is gone, he has a ton of product returning in the passing game.

The MSU defence force ranks No. eight in FBS in percent of returning production but won't accept versatile linebacker Jett Johnson on Sat. Still, it should provide the new pieces on the offensive line a good wait at what to expect in a post-Cross world.

South Carolina — Does Spencer Rattler look similar he's won over the locker room?

That'southward the question that everyone in Columbia is eager to figure out. A spring game won't necessarily brand or pause that, peculiarly for the ultimate "good vibes" team that the Gamecocks are correct now. But we should still be able to go some insight into that dynamic.

Does it look similar Rattler is joking effectually with his teammates and enjoying the atmosphere? Does he get fired up for the success of the other quarterbacks? Does he look confident without looking cocky? I enquire that final question a flake natural language in cheek considering that's probably in the eye of the beholder.

Rattler should exist able to separate himself from the rest of that quarterback room with the downfield passing ability, which was lacking for too much of Shane Beamer's commencement season on the job. Southward Carolina was No. 11 in the SEC in passing plays of 20 yards. A few downfield shots would go a long way for Rattler, especially after that function of his game didn't see expectations in 2021.

Seeing Rattler live for the first fourth dimension in his post-Oklahoma affiliate should be enough interesting.

Vandy — Does AJ Swann look fix to be QB1?

Usually, I push button dorsum on an early-enrollee getting that kind of buzz. Usually, though, I'grand not talking well-nigh a passing game that ranked No. 126 in yards per attempt (v.6). While Mike Wright showed hope down the stretch, Swann has a run a risk to walk in and testify that he'due south the near talented quarterback of that grouping, and not just based on recruiting rankings.

Clark Lea said that Swann "flashed" and that he looked "fearless" in camp. I'd say that's a practiced sign for an early enrollee at quarterback. Wright and Ken Seals are both inbound Year 2 in Joey Lynch's offense and Year three overall at Vandy. They should have the better feel for game speed, though both have proven to be express for various reasons (some inside their command and some outside of it).

Seals was limited early in camp with lingering injuries. Perhaps that provided the actress looks Swann needed early to really make a lasting impression. It still might not be in the cards for him to be the opening day starter because of the potential take a chance of watching both Wright and Seals enter the transfer portal. However, Lea signed 3 quarterbacks in the 2022 class, including Swann. That might requite him the freedom to roll the dice on the true freshman in his 2nd year on the job.

A banner spring game showing would certainly help Swann'due south case.