By Matt Hayes

updated 8:01 p.m. ET April 1, 2008

Matt Hayes

Here are five quarterback battles to watch this spring:

Michigan: Steven Threet, David Cone, Nick Sheridan.

It's ugly, folks. Threet and Cone are pro-style quarterbacks trapped in a spread option system. Sheridan is a smallish walk-on. Threet is the best thrower of the three, so he'll likely lead the way until freshman Justin Feagin arrives in the fall. An X-factor: junior RB Carlos Brown, who played some quarterback in the spread option in high school.

Penn State: Daryll Clark, Pat Devlin.

Devlin is clearly the more polished thrower, and because the Nittany Lions have all five offensive linemen returning, Clark's big advantage with mobility isn't so significant. If Devlin is comfortable in the offense, he has the physical passing attributes to excel. Then again, physical attributes don't always translate (see: Anthony Morelli).

Auburn: Chris Todd, Kodi Burns.

Burns has picked up the offense quicker than expected, but it's Todd's position to lose. One problem: Todd missed numerous practices this spring resting a sore shoulder that may need surgery. They're co-No. 1s heading into fall practice, but only because of Todd's shoulder.

Miami: Robert Marve, Jacory Harris, Cannon Smith.

Marve, a redshirt freshman, is clearly ahead of freshmen Harris and Smith, two early enrollees. See any connection yet? The Hurricanes have zero experience at the most important position on the field. This competition will play out the entire season.

California: Nate Longshore, Kevin Riley.

Longshore's knowledge of the offense should make him the clear leader, but his confidence is shot from shoddy protection and nagging injuries. That, of course, opens things for Riley, a talented yet inconsistent sophomore.

MORE FROM COLLEGE FOOTBALL

College football Section Front

Penn State in BCS picture CFT: ‘By the Numbers’ — LSU batting .467   Out of Bounds: Easy win for Ole Miss over KKK CFT: Kentucky’s Brooks irate over retirement talk CFT: USC’s leading WR doubtful to play vs. UCLA CFT: FSU’s top lineman probably out vs. Florida CFT: Buyout an obstacle to firing Friedgen? Florida’s Meyer says Notre Dame not an option Bama's defense rolling, Auburn's struggling CFT: Colorado coach regrets having son as QB College football Section Front   Add College football headlines to your news reader: