The buzz, which started almost immediately after Arkansas' victory in the Liberty Bowl, has reached deafening tones now that spring practice has started.
Who is going to replace Brandon Allen?
The same Brandon Allen who was sometimes criticized, although by the end of the season that had become like cursing a farmer while chewing a mouthful of food.
Coach Bret Bielema has tried not to throw gas on the fire of a possible quarterback controversy as Austin Allen tries to hold off Rafe Peavey, Ty Storey and Southern California transfer Ricky Town.
And no, Austin Allen isn't listed first because of the alphabet. It is because of his experience.
Bielema and his staff members know that replacing Brandon Allen is just one piece of the puzzle, and maybe not even the biggest. That's not a slap at Austin Allen -- it's just a fact.
The Razorbacks lost six starters on offense. Three were from the offensive line, and it doesn't matter who is quarterback if he is throwing or handing off without blocking. No one throws well flat on his back.
All three linemen were veterans of at least two years, and two are most likely going to be taken in this month's NFL Draft.
Offensive guard Sebastian Tretola is projected as a third- or fourth-round pick, and Denver Kirkland -- who played tackle last season but is projected as a guard on the next level -- is projected to go in the fourth or fifth round. Center Mitch Smothers has a chance to make a roster as a free agent because he can play center or guard.
Those three guys had as much to do with Arkansas winning eight games as anyone on the team last season. Tretola wasn't just tougher than a claw hammer on a pecan, he was a vocal leader, too.
The Razorbacks also lose the nation's top tight end, Hunter Henry, who left school early because he is projected to be the first tight end taken in the draft. Most projections have him going early in the second round.
As good as Henry was, Jeremy Sprinkle saw just as many snaps. So there isn't great concern at tight end, but Henry will be missed.
Last year's top running back, Alex Collins, also decided to leave a year early, and he's projected to be drafted in the fifth round.
Jonathan Williams would have been the top running back for the Razorbacks except he was injured, and he's seen as a sixth-round draft pick.
When you consider Brandon Allen also is likely to be drafted -- somewhere between the fourth and seventh rounds -- that means six, maybe seven, of the best players from last year's team have a chance to play on Sundays.
That's a lot of tough-nosed offensive experience to lose in one season, and that is probably the main reason Bielema isn't making a huge deal out of finding a quarterback.
Rebuilding has to be balanced, and there are a lot of holes to fill for the 2016 Razorbacks to establish themselves as an SEC contender.
Of course, quarterback is important. And it will continue to be the most discussed position between now and the time Bielema announces a starter, which probably won't be until August. He might declare a No. 1 coming out of spring ball, but he's definitely going to leave it open in case one or two of them decide to devote the summer to getting better.
Still, those sweat hogs who get down and dirty, who have to move 300-plus pounds of mass on every down, are the keys. Football always starts with blocking and tackling, and Bielema and his staff members are studying the offensive linemen every bit as much as the quarterbacks.
Sports on 04/03/2016