SEC Football: Is This The Year Of The Running Backs?

Florida returns a lot of talent in the backfield. Kesthan Moore averaged a great 5.6 yards per carry in 2007, but he also had problems holding on to the football. Quarterback Tim Tebow and athlete wide receiver/running back Percy Harvin both combined for 293 rushes in 2007. Also, freshman Chris Rainey is rumored to be the fastest sprinter on the team, so watch out for him in 2008.

Vanderbilt will struggle a bit on the ground this season. They return a talented back in Jeff Jennings who rushed for 346 yards backing up Cason Jackson-Garrison in 2007. But the Commodores are going to struggle majorly on the offensive line.

Arkansas was hurt right where it hurts with the loss of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, who were arguably one of the best tandems in college football history. The Razorbacks return a explosive back in Michael Smith who averaged a great 6.6 yards per carry last season with very limited carries behind McFadden and Jones.

Ole Miss has a lot of searching to do at the running back spot. With the loss of Benjarvus Green-Ellis and Bruce Hall, the Rebels return Cordera Eason who only had 3 carries in 2007, but had a good spring and will more than likely get his chance in the backfield for the Rebels.

Of course, a running back cannot do it by himself. If you don't have a good offensive line, then your running game will struggle. All offense starts at the war in the trenches up front. That is truly where it all starts in football.

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