2007's Best SEC Running Games

[GeauxTo]

Who will have stellar running games in the SEC in 2007? Here are some strong contenders:

Arkansas
McFadden & Jones

Auburn
Lester & Tate

LSU
Williams & Murphy & Scott

[Chivas]

Arkansas hands down. I have a feeling our third string tailback is better than some SEC starters.

[GeauxTo]

Arkansas hands down. I have a feeling our third string tailback is better than some SEC starters.

Wait until you get a taste of Keiland Williams and Richard Murphy; with a stellar offensive line.

[pvilleguru]

i think arkansas will be the best. bama also has some very good ones in johns(?), grant, coffee, and upchurch.

[OldManNoPants]

i think arkansas will be the best. bama also has some very good ones in johns(?), grant, coffee, and upchurch.

Isn't Jimmy Johns currently in a bit of grade trouble? I don't recall it being serious enough to sit or anything, but that's never fun to have to worry about.

[GeauxTo]

Isn't Jimmy Johns currently in a bit of grade trouble? I don't recall it being serious enough to sit or anything, but that's never fun to have to worry about.

Johns will either get his academics straight or Saban will be on him like white on rice.

[pvilleguru]

Isn't Jimmy Johns currently in a bit of grade trouble? I don't recall it being serious enough to sit or anything, but that's never fun to have to worry about.

he is in some grade trouble. that is why i had a question mark next to him.

[BamaDude06]

He is in "grade trouble" in the sense that he is not doing whathe is supposed to so Saban is sitting him until he does. If he does what he is supposed to he will be back at the next practice. It's not in the sense that he is inelligable. At least, that is my understanding of it.

[azamugg]

someone bookmark this post because I truly think Auburn has accrued a level of talent at RB that will blow people away..........it'll definitely be a wait and see and I hope Auburn can put together a decent line for these fellas to shine.....thats what would suck for an Auburn fan is the timing of the situation, losing your entire line and having this kind of talent.........guys, notice Im a bama fan.............Im telling you Auburns backs are for real

[Hawgwild]

I think our 3rd stringer,michael smith, will have a comming out party. All three were in the same recruiting year, and michael smith was actually above mcfadden and jones on the depth chart, until he got hurt and had to redshirt. It will be hard to get him enough touchs next year though, but if he gets them, he will put them to good use. I think he is going to take mcfaddens spot at returning kickoff's this year, and mcfadden is gonna do the punt returns. Smith had 1 kick return last year, and took it back 70 yards or so. either way im really excited for next year.

[GeauxTo]

Im telling you Auburns backs are for real

Haven't you heard? Kenny is gone.
:laugh:

[jthomas666]

Im telling you Auburns backs are for realI don't think anyone questions the quality of AU's back--but to have a great running attack, you have to have good RBs and a good OL--see Bama 06 for the gruesome details.

[GeauxTo]

I don't think anyone questions the quality of AU's back--but to have a great running attack, you have to have good RBs and a good OL--see Bama 06 for the gruesome details.

Good point!

[AU Blaaaaaaaake]

If I had to rank them, I would say Arkansas are the best, followed by AU and then LSU.

The problem with LSU is they have been able to rely on JaMarcus' arm for so long that they haven't had much use for a running game. Now with some questions at QB, they are going to need RB's to step up into a much larger new role.

Auburn's RB's, like azamugg said, are the real deal. Kenny Irons was a great running back, but he doesn't have the speed that Tate/Lester/Fannin and even Tristan Davis have. AU won't miss a beat in the ground game, especially with the stellar improvement the OL has gone through over the spring. OL Coach Hugh Nall has already commented that our OL this year already looks more like one functioning unit than last years team looked all year.

It basically comes down to coaching, and RB Coach Gran is not only the best in the SEC, but arguably the best in the nation.

[GeauxTo]

If I had to rank them, I would say Arkansas are the best, followed by AU and then LSU.

Great jumping Jehosaphat! We pretty much agree!

I do think that the Arkansas RBs will have to keep the pressure on because the likes of Tate, Lester (Auburn) and Williams, Murphy (LSU) will be hot on their heels.

[tecmsu06]

Lester is a beast... I'll be watching very very closely. I was very pleased with his performances last year. Arkansas will have the best backs. Look out for some decent young backs at MState, and a vastly improved O-line.

[shanksta13]

Don't count us completely out of the mix. The word out of spring camp is that Kestahn Moore is having a phenomal spring and could really enjoy a breakout year behind a very deep and seasoned O-Line. It will be interesting to see how we replace Ronnie Wilson (most likely expelled), however, he was the only O-Lineman that didn't start last year, so I don't expect it to be a monumental loss.

Another thing to keep in mind, though, is that we spread the ball around a lot. Sure we don't have the big names like McFadden, Jones, Lester or Williams, but we definitely manage to get our yards. We finished third in the SEC in rushing in 2006, despite not having a single RB over 700 yards. This year we may have more of a traditional running game if Moore can continue his success into the fall. Well, traditional in the sense that one back gets a majority of the carries. The only thing that concerns me about Kestahn Moore is his hands. He fumbled the ball against LSU last year and we can't afford to put the ball on the carpet with such a young defense.

[AUFootball24]

Who will have stellar running games in the SEC in 2007? Here are some strong contenders:

LSU
Williams & Murphy & Scott

I'm not trying to say something by this (or maybe I am :laugh: ) but I have heard little to none about that combo (when I say that I really mean none) outside of this forum (and when I say that I mean outside of you).

Fill me in on them. What makes them so great? Pretty unproven.

[AUFootball24]

Who will have stellar running games in the SEC in 2007? Here are some strong contenders:

Arkansas
McFadden & Jones

Auburn
Lester & Tate

LSU
Williams & Murphy & Scott

I have to take Arkansas hands down there. Next I'd take Auburn, Lester and Tate are quite a duo. I know nothing of LSU's trio though, so chances are I'm dead wrong as usual. :happy:

[shanksta13]

LSU's trio will be very, very good. I expect Keiland Williams to put up McFadden-like numbers next year. His numbers weren't spectacular last year, primarily because he didn't get significant playing time until late in the year when he had mastered the playbook. Trust me, he has the potential to be the best back in the SEC next year. Charles Scott is good, but I think he may be a step below Williams. Richard Murphy is a guy who didn't get any time last year, but could definitely push for the starting job should Keiland Williams slip up or get hurt. He is a FAST and elusive athlete who should thrive behind a pretty solid O-Line.

[GeauxTo]

LSU's trio will be very, very good. I expect Keiland Williams to put up McFadden-like numbers next year. His numbers weren't spectacular last year, primarily because he didn't get significant playing time until late in the year when he had mastered the playbook. Trust me, he has the potential to be the best back in the SEC next year. Charles Scott is good, but I think he may be a step below Williams. Richard Murphy is a guy who didn't get any time last year, but could definitely push for the starting job should Keiland Williams slip up or get hurt. He is a FAST and elusive athlete who should thrive behind a pretty solid O-Line.

Couldn't have said it better myself. On top of this trio, don't forget we still have bruiser Alley Broussard and dependable runner Jacob Hester. In the spring game, Murphy overshadowed everyone. He is a very quick starter with blinding speed. Keiland Williams has been compared to Emmit Smith in style and ability. LSU should definitely have a stellar running game, one where changing backs won't cause any loss in running productivity.

[shanksta13]

Couldn't have said it better myself. On top of this trio, don't forget we still have bruiser Alley Broussard and dependable runner Jacob Hester. In the spring game, Murphy overshadowed everyone. He is a very quick starter with blinding speed. Keiland Williams has been compared to Emmit Smith in style and ability. LSU should definitely have a stellar running game, one where changing backs won't cause any loss in running productivity.

I expect Broussard to be used mostly in short yardage situations next year. The other backs are just too talented to lose touches to Broussard unless he somehow returns to his pre-injury form. I had heard that Hester was going to play more fullback than tailback this year. However, in either case I think he will be used primarily as a pass-catching threat out of the backfield. He is perhaps the most technically sound player and has very reliable hands. He plays very smart and always puts himself in a position to hit the hole, make a block or get open out of the backfield. LSU definitely has a full stable next year and between the RBs and the O-Line they should have ample time to develop the new QB and the new WRs.

[GeauxTo]

I expect Broussard to be used mostly in short yardage situations next year. The other backs are just too talented to lose touches to Broussard unless he somehow returns to his pre-injury form. I had heard that Hester was going to play more fullback than tailback this year. However, in either case I think he will be used primarily as a pass-catching threat out of the backfield. He is perhaps the most technically sound player and has very reliable hands. He plays very smart and always puts himself in a position to hit the hole, make a block or get open out of the backfield. LSU definitely has a full stable next year and between the RBs and the O-Line they should have ample time to develop the new QB and the new WRs.

I think you are right on target. Not only will Hester be a go-to guy out of the backfield, but don't forget about speedster Trindon Holliday. I think he will be thrown to out of the backfield as well. One of the reasons Richard Murphy is raising eyebrows is that he is almost as fast as Trindon Holliday, but he is bigger and very elusive, too. Neither Holliday or Murphy will be caught from behind.

[Kevhugh]

I'll admit that Mike Davis and Cory Boyd won't be the best...but they may end up being the most underrated.

[dcbama]

Haven't you heard? Kenny is gone.
:laugh:


Have you seen his wonderlic score? I don't think Kenny can spell 'gone'

[AUFootball24]

Have you seen his wonderlic score? I don't think Kenny can spell 'gone'

How is that related? Ok buddy.

But seriously, what was his score? I missed it, I know David did poorly.

[azamugg]

How is that related? Ok buddy.

But seriously, what was his score? I missed it, I know David did poorly.

oh hell 24, as far as the wonderlick, who gives a shizit.......but if Geaux doesnt stop drinking that fermented gator urine and talking delirously bout them unknown today unknow tomorrow future rbs, Im gone git sick

[GeauxTo]

but if Geaux doesnt stop drinking that fermented gator urine and talking delirously bout them unknown today unknow tomorrow future rbs, Im gone git sick

Just giving you insight into the future of SEC football.:laugh:

[autiger1126]

I'm going to overlook Florida completely.

[shanksta13]

I'm going to overlook Florida completely.

Haha, well then, make sure you have a lot of fun in Gainesville Saturday afternoon. It ain't gonna be fun in the Swamp, I can promise you that. Just ask LSU fans what happens to Tigers when they enter the Swamp. :laugh:

[Gator2753]

Haha, well then, make sure you have a lot of fun in Gainesville Saturday afternoon. It ain't gonna be fun in the Swamp, I can promise you that. Just ask LSU fans what happens to Tigers when they enter the Swamp. :laugh:

Yeah im thinking there will be better teams than Auburn who will be poised to threaten our undefeated home game win streak.:laugh:

[shanksta13]

Yeah im thinking there will be better teams than Auburn who will be poised to threaten our undefeated home game win streak.:laugh:

Vanderbilt comes to mind... :laugh:

[GeauxTo]

Yeah im thinking there will be better teams than Auburn who will be poised to threaten our undefeated home game win streak.:laugh:

It's the road where you are going to get pummelled this year.

Wait... not the road... the Bayou.:laugh:

[shanksta13]

It's the road where you are going to get pummelled this year.

Wait... not the road... the Bayou.:laugh:

Yall should walk into your stadium with your tails between your legs after a true freshman scored 3 TDs on your vaunted defense last year. Did I mention that 4 of the starters on the O-Line are back? :laugh: All in good fun, Geaux!

[dcbama]

But seriously, what was his score? I missed it, I know David did poorly.

I thought it was 4, but that might've been David. I don't think either Irons will ever run NASA, but 4 is extremely low and KI seemed to be the brighter of the two.

[gatorunvrsty]

I'm going to overlook Florida completely.

Please do. That's how we had a better season rushing the ball than everyone but Arky and LSU last year. "Running Back U" didn't even have as good a year as Vandy, running the ball.:brick:

[GeauxTo]

I don't think either Irons will ever run NASA, but 4 is extremely low and KI seemed to be the brighter of the two.

Ha-Ha-Ha
Are we talking dumb and dumber here or what?
:D

[DELTOR]

Ha-Ha-Ha
Are we talking dumb and dumber here or what?
:D

Lloyd: I'll bet you twenty dollars I can get you gambling before the day is out!
Harry: No!
Lloyd: I'll give you three to one odds.
Harry: No.
Lloyd: Five to one.
Harry: No.
Lloyd: Ten to one?
Harry: You're on!
Lloyd: I'm gonna get ya!
Harry: Nu uh!
Lloyd: I don't know how but I'm gonna get ya.

[PigKahuna]

Hey, whatever happened to Roy Upchurch at Bama? The Hogs almost landed him along with Felix Jones, Darren McFadden and Michael Smith at RB.

That would have been an epic RB class.

[woo_pig_sooie]

Hey, whatever happened to Roy Upchurch at Bama? The Hogs almost landed him along with Felix Jones, Darren McFadden and Michael Smith at RB.

That would have been an epic RB class.

It was more like get Upchurch or Jones. We weren't going to get both. Upchurch decided first, so we got Jones on signing day.

[RollTide87]

No doubt that Arkansas will be the best, Jones could start for almost any SEC team. After that I wanna say Bama now that Darby is out of the way.

[zud the hut]

The problem with LSU is they have been able to rely on JaMarcus' arm for so long that they haven't had much use for a running game. Now with some questions at QB, they are going to need RB's to step up into a much larger new role.

Did you happen to check the stats from last year?

If you had then you would know that LSU was at the top of the league along with Arkansas in the running game.

LSU had a lot of talented rb's last year but they were young. All of them are gonna make some noise this year.

Last year, it took a long time for run blocking to develop...I don't look for that this year. Plus the fact that Matt Flynn looks like a rb when he runs. This LSU team so reminds me of the 2003 team. A team that never got its due credit.

[Hawgwild]

Yeah, if i remember right, if we would of got Upchurch, the vols would of got felix?

[The Ramp]

Did you happen to check the stats from last year?

If you had then you would know that LSU was at the top of the league along with Arkansas in the running game.

LSU had a lot of talented rb's last year but they were young. All of them are gonna make some noise this year.

Last year, it took a long time for run blocking to develop...I don't look for that this year. Plus the fact that Matt Flynn looks like a rb when he runs. This LSU team so reminds me of the 2003 team. A team that never got its due credit.

yep, it took to the kentucky game; but we finished #2 in the SEC in rushing

[CRIMSONWHITE]

He is in "grade trouble" in the sense that he is not doing whathe is supposed to so Saban is sitting him until he does. If he does what he is supposed to he will be back at the next practice. It's not in the sense that he is inelligable. At least, that is my understanding of it.

He was back at practice yesterday (4/10) so I guess he did something right.

[autiger1126]

Vanderbilt comes to mind... :laugh:

Brandon Cox: -177 yards rushing
Chris Nickson: +694 yards rushing

but, if you wanna include the qb's they got us by a yard a game

[gatorunvrsty]

Brandon Cox: -177 yards rushing
Chris Nickson: +694 yards rushing

but, if you wanna include the qb's they got us by a yard a game

Why wouldn't you include the QB's? Having a mobile QB can mean the difference between winning and losing. Tebow +469 / Leak +30. Most college QB's have negative yards rushing, because of sacks; but, -177 (Cox) is really bad. I know, I know... he was a paraplegic last year. Did it occur to any jock straps (Cox supporters);) , that maybe the reason he was busted up in the first place, was because of his inability to run? I mean, that's how you get hurt. You can't avoid getting hit... over and over and over.:azz: And, if your QB has been hit so many times that he can no longer avoid getting hit even more, it's the coach's job to play somebody else. Watching Cox limp around at the end of the season had me wondering if TuberVile was asleep at the wheel. I think his ambition had him making some decisions that weren't in the best interests of his player. Cox could have been lost forever.

[AU Blaaaaaaaake]

Why wouldn't you include the QB's? Having a mobile QB can mean the difference between winning and losing. Tebow +469 / Leak +30. Most college QB's have negative yards rushing, because of sacks; but, -177 (Cox) is really bad. I know, I know... he was a paraplegic last year. Did it occur to any jock straps (Cox supporters);) , that maybe the reason he was busted up in the first place, was because of his inability to run? I mean, that's how you get hurt. You can't avoid getting hit... over and over and over.:azz: And, if your QB has been hit so many times that he can no longer avoid getting hit even more, it's the coach's job to play somebody else. Watching Cox limp around at the end of the season had me wondering if TuberVile was asleep at the wheel. I think his ambition had him making some decisions that weren't in the best interests of his player. Cox could have been lost forever.


Well the good news is hes at 100% and running around with ease. He's no running QB, but he's made several scrambles out of the pocket all spring and even laid a cockroach block down on Quentin Groves on an end-around running play.

Cox is going to surprise people this coming season.

[shanksta13]

BTW AUBlake, I was joking with the Vandy comment... :laugh:

[shanksta13]

But Urban Meyer and the Gators have been pretty good about avenging losses in the SWAMP.

[Gator2753]

But Urban Meyer and the Gators have been pretty good about avenging losses in the SWAMP.

We have 2 games in the swamp that will be tough. UT and AU.
UT really worries me.
However my overall outlook on UF is still good.

[shanksta13]

We have 2 games in the swamp that will be tough. UT and AU.
UT really worries me.
However my overall outlook on UF is still good.

Yeah, I haven't broken down the schedule game-by-game yet. However, I definitely think that Tennessee will be the key game for us next year. We have two fairly easy games in the Swamp prior to the Tennessee game to get ready and get the guys used to playing. Tennessee will be an extremely experienced team led by an experienced QB. We will be just getting into the swing of things with a totally revamped defense and a pretty experienced offense. If we can win this one it could provide some major confidence and momentum for the young squad.

As far as the Auburn game, that game doesn't concern me nearly as much. I think our LBs and DL are pretty well suited to stopping the run. In addition, it will be a revenge match and so far Urban Meyer is perfect at avenging the previous season's losses in the Swamp. Tebow will be playing with a chip on his shoulder as will the entire Gator team.

I think if we get past Tennessee we have a legitimate shot of winning the SEC East again. However, a loss in that game will definitely put us in a hole for the rest of the season.

[gatorunvrsty]

Yeah, I haven't broken down the schedule game-by-game yet. However, I definitely think that Tennessee will be the key game for us next year. We have two fairly easy games in the Swamp prior to the Tennessee game to get ready and get the guys used to playing. Tennessee will be an extremely experienced team led by an experienced QB. We will be just getting into the swing of things with a totally revamped defense and a pretty experienced offense. If we can win this one it could provide some major confidence and momentum for the young squad.

As far as the Auburn game, that game doesn't concern me nearly as much. I think our LBs and DL are pretty well suited to stopping the run. In addition, it will be a revenge match and so far Urban Meyer is perfect at avenging the previous season's losses in the Swamp. Tebow will be playing with a chip on his shoulder as will the entire Gator team.

I think if we get past Tennessee we have a legitimate shot of winning the SEC East again. However, a loss in that game will definitely put us in a hole for the rest of the season.

The winner of the UF/UT game has been the precursor to winning the East more times in the last 15 years than I can recall. Whoever has won that game has won the East, more often than not. I'm glad it's in the Swamp this year with a young UF team. I would not have liked a new starter, Tebow, having to begin his big-game career in front of 100,000 hostile Vols. His first big start will be in the friendly confines of the Swamp.

[GeauxTo]

Cox is going to surprise people this coming season.

Yeah, I'll be surprised if he has the appearance of a quarterback.
:tongue:

[AU Blaaaaaaaake]

Yeah, I'll be surprised if he has the appearance of a quarterback.
:tongue:


He's a John Vaughn away from being undefeated versus your almighty invincible Tigah's, so either that doesn't say much for LSU or it says a whole lot for Cox.

Guess its a lose-lose for you either way! :laugh: :laugh:

[GeauxTo]

Guess its a lose-lose for you either way! :laugh: :laugh:

No, I don't think so... unless you bring those officials to Baton Rouge with you.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k108/GeauxTo/BlindRefs2.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k108/GeauxTo/BlindRefs1.jpg

[pvilleguru]

No, I don't think so... unless you bring those officials to Baton Rouge with you.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k108/GeauxTo/BlindRefs2.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k108/GeauxTo/BlindRefs1.jpg

haha. that's hillarious.