Auburn Football: Will Marcus Lattimore be a Tiger?

This article is not meant to speculate into the thoughts of Marcus Lattimore. He has a great family structure much more qualified than I to advise him. I have not called Mr. Lattimore and asked his opinion of the two choices he has narrowed his focus upon. 

This article is meant simply to contrast the stark difference between the two choices. It is a tale of two universities and two teams. It will lay out the differences of between the two football schemes in stark, obvious fashion. 

Marcus Lattimore has narrowed his choices to two universities. Auburn University and the University of South Carolina. Both are rich with history and are strong academically. This is important as none of us can play football forever. 

Even if a young man is a shoe in for the NFL, and can expect to be a wealthy man at some point, an education is something that betters us all. It is something you will always have. It is something that can't be taken from you. It is something you can pass along to your family, community, and country.

Historically Auburn sends four players to the NFL for every one from South Carolina. This is true if one goes back 10, 20, and 30 years. The numbers are even more one sided when it comes to running backs. 

Marcus Lattimore is a true running back in every sense of the definition. Let us take a look at the running game for the two teams.

South Carolina ranked 91 out of 120 teams in the NCAA BCS Division in rushing offense in 2009. They averaged 121.23 yards per game on the ground. Their leading back Kenny Miles averaged 48 yards per game rushing.

The entire South Carolina offense was ranked 81 out of 120 teams in total offense averaging 347 yards per game total.

Kenny Miles averaged 5.47 yards per carry in 2009 his second season.

Auburn: ranked 13 out of 120 teams in the NCAA BCS Division in rushing offense in 2009. They averaged 212 yards per game rushing. Their leading rusher Ben Tate averaged over 100 yards per game but is off to the NFL. Their second leading rusher freshman Onterio McCalebb averaged 51 yards per game behind Tate.

The entire Auburn offense was ranked 16 out of 120 teams in total offense averaging 431 yards per game. 

In his four year career at Auburn Ben Tate averaged 5.14 yards per carry.

In his freshman season Onterio McCalebb averaged 5.77 yards per carry. 

These statistics show the stark difference between the two offensive philosophies. Both teams do well when they run the ball. Both teams average more than five yards per carry. The difference is one team chooses to not run the ball except under exceptional circumstances. 

South Carolina is a pass first offense. Steve Spurrier has never had the patience for a true running offense. While many have eluded to the dismal South Carolina rushing offense, it is actually quite effective and under utilized. 

Auburn has always been a rushing first offense. They were balanced this year under Gus Malzhan between rushing and passing yards. They like to run 6 rushing plays out of every ten offensive plays. 

South Carolina has always had a great group of running backs. They have always had the highest level of talent. They have seldom developed that talent or fully utilized it. South Carolina has just hired a new coach for their offensive line and running game. He will take over a unit that is already effective and under utilized.

Auburn has always developed NFL quality running backs. If a running back starts at Auburn he will likely make it to the NFL. It has been a tradition at Auburn for decades. Running Backs like James Brooks, Joe Cribbs, and William Andrews that worked in the same backfield together. Bo Jackson, Tommy Agee, and Lional James that ran together in the same back field. To modern times when Ronnie Brown and Carnell Williams that played together in the same backfield.

Auburn has produced another potential NFL Star in Ben Tate that is off to the NFL combines to show his stuff this year. One can only assume that there will be more running backs coming from Auburn to feed the endless appetite the NFL has for Auburn running backs.

I will not contemplate or assume the choice Marcus Lattimore will make. With the help of his family he will make the right choice for him. This article was simply to point out to the public some of the choices he has. It might even give some insight into why he makes the choice when he does. We all look forward to his decision and watching him display his considerable talent on the grid iron next fall.