Wednesday June 27, 2007

Opponent's Running Backs; SEC Running Backs

Opponent’s Running Backs
Louisiana Monroe
The Warhawks run the ball well and led their league in rushing last season. Calvin Dawson had 213 carries for 1210 yards and 11 scores as a junior. He recorded 100-yard rushing games in each of the last five games of the season. I don’t think Dawson will be intimidated in Death Valley this season because last year he rushed for 118 yards at Alabama, 128 at Arkansas and 179 at Kentucky. Louisiana-Monroe has no chance in this one unless Dawson plays the game of his life. Also remember that Louisiana-Monroe has all five of its offensive linemen returning. In fact they return all 11 starters on offense.

Furman
The Paladins run the ball and will continue to be committed to the run. Cedric Gibson will try to improve upon his junior season that included 937 yards and four touchdowns. Jerome Felton is a 250-pound bruising fullback that had 797 yards and 23 touchdowns a year ago. Felton is an NFL-type back that is one of the most exciting players in college football to watch. He runs over defenders with an attitude. I know some are not excited about Furman but you need to be about watching Felton.

Central Michigan
The Chippewas were average at this position last season but return their top six rushers from last year. Ontario Sneed had big expectations last year but he had fumble problems and rushed for only 764 yards and four touchdowns. Much of their running game comes from their highly rated quarterback Dan LeFevour. Backing up Sneed is Justin Hoskins and Marcel Archer. This group looks to get back to the form they had two years ago when Central Michigan rushed for 159 yards per game.

South Carolina
Corey Boyd is a powerful back that runs as hard as any back in America. He has not been as productive as he will be this season. Boyd has only three 100-yard rushing games in his career but I think he will have more than that in his senior season. He also catches the ball well out of the backfield and is the second leading returning receiver this season for the Gamecocks. Because Sidney Rice is gone I think Boyd becomes the most important player at USC. If the Gamecocks are to win on the road in pits like Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas and LSU Boyd has carry this offense.

Mike Davis is a good back that has not done much in his two years except for the months of November each year. The Columbia native has had his best games against Florida and Clemson but has done little else. He runs hard and is also a good receiver of the ball.

South Carolina has Brandon Wallace and Taylor Rank but their true freshmen including Brian Maddox may beat them out.

South Carolina will need to average over 150 yards per game on the ground to improve their record in 2007.

SEC Running Back Rankings
1. Arkansas-Darren McFadden and Felix Jones are the nation’s top running back combination. McFadden is a special talent and Jones would start for almost any team in America. This is one of the top combinations of backs in recent years.

2. Georgia-The Bulldogs have one of the best running back combinations in the country this season also. Kregg Lumpkin returned to form last season and is the big back that Georgia fans have seen for years now. Thomas Brown is a special talent but he is trying to hold off red-shirt freshman Knowshon Moreno. Add Caleb King to the mix and you have an incredible group of backs in Athens.

3. Tennessee-The Vols are young talented here. LaMarcus Coker rushed for almost 700 yards in his freshman season. Monterio Hardesty was another freshman that added punch but Arian Foster is the most talented guy. If Foster can return to his form of his freshman season then Tennessee will have one of the best running games in the conference. Last season the only averaged 108 yards per game on the ground but this year they should increase that number by as much as 50 yards per contest.

4. LSU-The Tigers have a lot of depth but until Keiland Williams is healthy they do not have the marquee back like they have had in the past. Alley Broussard had a chance to be but he has been inconsistent. Charles Scott is a talent but he is very inexperienced. Jacob Hester may be the best fullback in the SEC.

5. South Carolina-See above.

6. Auburn-The Tigers will be without a big name back for the first time in recent memory. Brad Lester is the most experienced but Ben Tate is a big back that has a ton of natural ability. He averaged 7.3 yards per carry last year and may be the feature back this season.

7. Ole Miss-BenJarvus Green-Ellis has the best name in college football and he hopes to have another 1,000-yard campaign this season. I like this big back. Cordera Eason needs to step up and live up to his potential.

8. Kentucky-Local product Rafael Little has had a very good career in Lexington. He was banged up most of last year but still is called upon as much as any back in terms of carries and catches. Tony Dixon and Alphonso Smith are solid.

9. Alabama-Jimmy Johns is a big back but has yet to be counted on as the main guy. Terry Grant red-shirted last year but he may beat out Johns. Roy Upchurch did not play a lot in his freshman season but he was a highly rated prospect.

10. Florida-Last season the Gators won the national title despite being average at running back. They relied on a backup quarterback and a wide receiver for most of their yardage on the ground. Ketshan Moore and Chevon Walker will get the majority of running back reps as Mon Williams is not a factor now.

11. Vanderbilt-This is an offense that returns most of the key players from a year ago including Jackson-Garrison and Jeff Jennings.

12. Mississippi State-The Bulldogs averaged only 95 yards per game on the ground last season but return Antony Dixon and the rest of the backfield from last year.

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