Ranking the SEC RBs

[AUChizad]

http://espn.go.com/blog/sec/post/_/id/23775/ranking-the-sec-running-backs

Ranking the SEC running backs
June, 15, 2011 Jun 1510:57AM ETEmail Print Comments391 By Chris LowWhat a thankless task it is to rank the top 10 running backs in the SEC.

Can I cheat and do it alphabetically?

The talent at this position is extraordinary, and you’re going to see a lot of these guys in the NFL over the next few years.

We are including freshmen and newcomers in these rankings, because the idea is to pick who we think will be the 10 best players for this coming season.

So here goes:

1. Trent Richardson, Alabama, Jr.: Now we get to see Richardson as Alabama’s go-to back, and it should be something to see. He’s a freak physically and runs through defenders and around them in equally stunning fashion.

2. Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina, So.: I’m sure we’ll hear it from South Carolina fans for not having Lattimore in the No. 1 spot. The truth is that it could go either way. Lattimore has bulked up to 230 pounds, which should help his durability.

3. Knile Davis, Arkansas, Jr.: To have a guy coming off a 1,322-yard season No. 3 on this list tells you how good the running backs are in this league. What separates Davis is that he can get the tough yards and also has the speed to break the long ones.

4. Mike Dyer, Auburn, So.: The Offensive MVP of the BCS National Championship Game a year ago, Dyer will be even better as a sophomore. He’s hard to tackle, runs low to the ground and will be the centerpiece of Auburn’s offense in 2011.

5. Brandon Bolden, Ole Miss, Sr.: In just about any other league, Bolden would be right there at the top. He averaged 6 yards per carry last season and scored 17 touchdowns. He’s also one of the best pass-catching backs in the SEC.

6. Spencer Ware, LSU, So.: The LSU coaches can’t wait to turn Ware loose this coming season. The 5-foot-11, 225-pound sophomore showed off his electrifying moves in the Cotton Bowl last season and will show off even more of them in 2011.

7. Vick Ballard, Mississippi State, Sr.: Nobody knew much about Ballard this time a year ago. They do now after he rushed for 968 yards and 19 touchdowns in his debut season in Starkville after coming over from junior college.

8. Onterio McCalebb, Auburn, Jr.: One of the premier home-run threats in college football, McCalebb is a quick-strike touchdown waiting to happen. Just ask LSU from a year ago. McCalebb has also bulked up and is more durable than he was when he arrived on the Plains.

9. Chris Rainey, Florida, Sr.: When he returned from his suspension last season, Rainey was the Gators’ top playmaker. Charlie Weis will see to it that Rainey gets touches as both a runner and receiver, and when he gets a step, look out.

10. Tauren Poole, Tennessee, Sr.: He’s not a burner, and he’s not exceptionally big, but Poole runs with his heart on his sleeve. He rushed for 1,034 yards last season and tied for the SEC lead with six 100-yard games.

Ok, so here's my  $0.02.

If you're going to use the logic to put Trent Richardson #1 because he was still pretty good despite being behind a Heisman Trophy winner, doesn't Mike Dyer have that in Spades? Dyer not only shared carries with Cam, but also another RB on this list (Auburn being the only school to be represented twice here). He had 1052 yds/156 carries for 6.0 YPC vs. Lattimore's 1197/249 for 4.8. He absolutely dominated him in both AU/SC games last year. In head-to-head matchups, Dyer had 4.43 to Lattimores' 3.90. Dyer was MVP of the National Championship, and Lattimore had negative yardage in the Chik-Fil-A Bowl.

[Snaggletiger]

What about Davis Hooper?

[Jumbo]

Shouldn't Arkansas have 5 backs in the top 10?

[Saniflush]

Shouldn't Arkansas have 5 backs in the top 10?

4 are secret weapons. 

[jmar]

Interested to see Ware running behind that Oline(overall best in SEC) against Oregon's defense. It hurts the Ducks not having Harris and I think this is going to be a similar game to the NC, only higher scoring.

I look for Auburn's offense to change by the Clemson game with Reed contributing with Dyer and OMac.  Have to think there is enough talent up front to allow Gus to keep frustrating defenses even with the lack of real game experience at center and tackle. It will all come together.
 

[Buzz Killington]

What about Davis Hooper?

This is the "Also ran" list.

[Townhallsavoy]

I think it's a great list.  Although, I'd put Lattimore over Richardson as #1. 

Also, why did he say, "We're including freshmen in the list" if he didn't use any freshmen or newcomers?

[jmar]

I think it's a great list.  Although, I'd put Lattimore over Richardson as #1. 

Also, why did he say, "We're including freshmen in the list" if he didn't use any freshmen or newcomers?

I like Richardson narrowly over Dyer only because he is utilized as a receiver. Not sold on Lattimore's toughness mainly because I think SC used him poorly in several games and left him prone to some tough hits that could have been avoided. He didn't run the same afterwards either. Haven't really seen the others enough because AU had their offenses playing catch-up but saw Davis a few times against other teams and he was impressive but just didn't see Petrino committing to the run much as with Spurrier pre-Lattimore.

[The Prowler]

Interested to see Ware running behind that Oline(overall best in SEC) against Oregon's defense. It hurts the Ducks not having Harris and I think this is going to be a similar game to the NC, only higher scoring.

I look for Auburn's offense to change by the Clemson game with Reed contributing with Dyer and OMac.  Have to think there is enough talent up front to allow Gus to keep frustrating defenses even with the lack of real game experience at center and tackle. It will all come together.
 

We have experience at both Tackles.

[JR4AU]

Interested to see Ware running behind that Oline(overall best in SEC) against Oregon's defense. It hurts the Ducks not having Harris and I think this is going to be a similar game to the NC, only higher scoring.

I look for Auburn's offense to change by the Clemson game with Reed contributing with Dyer and OMac.  Have to think there is enough talent up front to allow Gus to keep frustrating defenses even with the lack of real game experience at center and tackle. It will all come together.

The offense won't change much.  It will "revert" back to looking like the 2009 edition really.  Less inverted veer...probably none, unless Frazier gets involved. 

As an aside, the new Clemson OC is a guy who is just out of the Texas HS ranks, and came from Tulsa, just like Malzahn.  People will say his offense looks a lot like Malzahn's, and they'll be right.  He met and consulted with Malzahn during his tenure at Stephensville HS, and their friendship continued through his days at Lake Travis and Tulsa.  In 16 years at the HS level, he made 6 title game appearances, and won 3.  He averaged 10 wins a season as a HS coach.   Obviously, that's just HS, but that's a damn strong record considering he was coaching in arguably the strongest state in the nation for HS football.   

[jmar]

The offense won't change much.  It will "revert" back to looking like the 2009 edition really.  Less inverted veer...probably none, unless Frazier gets involved. 

As an aside, the new Clemson OC is a guy who is just out of the Texas HS ranks, and came from Tulsa, just like Malzahn.  People will say his offense looks a lot like Malzahn's, and they'll be right.  He met and consulted with Malzahn during his tenure at Stephensville HS, and their friendship continued through his days at Lake Travis and Tulsa.  In 16 years at the HS level, he made 6 title game appearances, and won 3.  He averaged 10 wins a season as a HS coach.   Obviously, that's just HS, but that's a damn strong record considering he was coaching in arguably the strongest state in the nation for HS football.   

Wonder how far along the OC is in the installation process of this gimmicky offense?

Mosely was quite a HS run threat and Trotter will turn it in a pinch. That's something that wasn't an option in '09. I really don't want to see Frazier as a result of this though. He is however set on competing for the starting job and I really like his demeanor which is Jason Campbellike and hope he is just as unflappable.

[GH2001]

The offense won't change much.  It will "revert" back to looking like the 2009 edition really.  Less inverted veer...probably none, unless Frazier gets involved. 

As an aside, the new Clemson OC is a guy who is just out of the Texas HS ranks, and came from Tulsa, just like Malzahn.  People will say his offense looks a lot like Malzahn's, and they'll be right.  He met and consulted with Malzahn during his tenure at Stephensville HS, and their friendship continued through his days at Lake Travis and Tulsa.  In 16 years at the HS level, he made 6 title game appearances, and won 3.  He averaged 10 wins a season as a HS coach.   Obviously, that's just HS, but that's a damn strong record considering he was coaching in arguably the strongest state in the nation for HS football.   

The state of Florida scoffs at you.

Rivals said so.