Sean Mannion News

While so much of the attention on Oregon State this spring has been on the quarterback competition -- one of the most intriguing in the nation between Sean Mannion and Cody Vaz -- there are other critical position battles.

All players are equal, but some players are more equal than others. That's the basis of our Most Important Player series.

If there was one major theme connecting Pac-12 teams this spring, it was this: to be determined.

The waiting game begins anew. With the culmination of spring practices at Oregon and Oregon State last weekend, it's time to settle in for the next four months until the 2013 season opens.

It was an eventful end to the spring for Oregon State. In the spirit of not giving away too many secrets, Mike Riley kept the spring game strikingly similar to the practice regimen the Beavers have abided by these last four weeks - a lot of running and short, quick pass plays.

The Spring Game is for the young players, to take what they've learned over the last 14 practices and put it under the lights.

Oregon State coaches have said they'll make their quarterback pick between Sean Mannion and Cody Vaz when one of them makes himself the clear-cut choice.

OREGON STATE WILL conclude their spring session on Friday night -- the Spring Game kicks off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast by the Pac-12 Networks.

Before we go any further, let's get one thing clear: There is no timeline, so don't even bother asking Mike Riley.

It was a question that Markus Wheaton couldn't answer. When asked about the entire NFL draft process, from the combine in Indianapolis in February, to Oregon State's NFL pro day last month, to individual workouts for perspective teams, it was enough to make Wheaton's head spin.

The clear reason to watch Oregon State's spring game on Friday is to figure out who will be the starting quarterback for an intriguing Beavers team that will be ranked in the preseason Top 25.

Beavers coach Mike Riley talked after Tuesday's practice about injuries, developing depth and nearing the end of spring football practices.

Or Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron. In the Conference of Champions, there are plenty of elite players who could strike the pose this December.